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Mixael

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Posts posted by Mixael

  1. Posted · Report reply

    On a more serious note... I think WyomingSlick has it right, this stitch is as old as saddles.

    Much like the bow and arrow, no one culture can clam its invention, and no one person can be attributed to its development.

    Skills were very guarded so the secrecy around noteworthy saddlers skills hampered the recording of methods.

    I have had many conversations with re-enacters who say that leatherwork was quite crude and the saddle stitch would not have been around in the Middle Ages.

    I disagree, having seen some of the work dug up over the years in metal, I think artisans in the Middle Ages had a phenomenal range of skills, we just don't have proof because leather does not last that long. There is no reason do doubt the saddle stitch had been around for a very long time.

    I think the development of tools such as the awl and pricking irons which in the scheme of things are fairly recent, and of course the needle have contributed to a more consistent and neater stitch, but only as a progression of an existing method.

    But... And more importantly! I'm in a story!

    Nige

    Very much agree with Nigel on this. (Bummer, I'm being serious now. That's gonna ruin my reputation!) To any that would say that back in the middle ages leatherwork was crude, I'd say "Prove it". Sure, there was probably alot of crude stuff out there. The poor farmer trying to just get enough to feed his family probably wasn't a trained leathersmith, but I'd be willing to bet he did what he could to make leather stuff he needed, rather than try to buy it. But the royalty and wealthy? THEY wanted the good stuff. My bet is that the great leathersmiths, you know, the guys that guarded their secrets well, produced AMAZING leather items. And not just saddles, either. So, my story COULD have a bearing of truth in it.

    Oh, and Nige is in a STORY! We can't forget that :) But, uh, yeah...that's all.

    Michael

  3. Posted · Report reply

    If there are others interested in this I have no objection to a group buy. You would have the cost of the thread and the next layer of shipping to you, so about $35 per 500 meter roll. It is really not that expensive, just a little hassle with the overseas issue. I have been using it for a little while now and I do like it.

    I'd be interested in going in for a group buy. Been wanting to get some Tiger for a while now. Just let me know when, how much I gotta pay, and how to get the money to ya.

  4. Posted · Report reply

    Thanks for the kind words! I'm over the goof up now, but it sure was tough when I did it!. I did go ahead and sew it up, then put it aside. Now I just gotta find what I did with it! In all seriousness (is that a word?) though, I'm ready to grab some leather and start on a new one (that is made the right way), just been having some other stuff that needs done first. (Had a VERY strong straight line wind here the other night, and it tore a part of the roof up. Spent yesterday getting the stuff needed for repairs and today was spent up on the roof patching the damage. Luckily I spent a couple years as a roofer, so had the knowledge to do it right. But I still hate being on a roof in the heat!) with luck, I can get the time this week to make a new beginning. And I feel that I'm rambling now, so I'll shut up.

    (Oh, and nothing in this post is a complaint. Just telling why I haven't worked on making a new holster yet. :rolleyes: )

  6. Posted · Report reply

    I can't tell you the REAL origins of what we call the saddle stitch, so I"m gonna make something up.

    Some guy, somewhere, had to make a saddle. He stitched it by hand, slowly and carefully. In the end, he had made a thing of beauty, and in the process developed a simply yet attractive stitching pattern. The king liked it so much, he called the saddler to ask what this wonderful method was called. The poor leather goods maker, not knowing what to call it, and VERY nervous, simply said, "It's a saddle stitch, Your Highness." And thus was born a long tradition of hand sewing with angled holes, two needles, one thread, and lots of questions. (Legend and/or rumor has it that the name of the gent that made the saddle was "Nigel", but there is no proof.)

    Now, if you ever DO find the REAL story, let me know. Otherwise, I'm sticking with my story :)

    (Do I need to mention that my post is almost all in fun? I really don't know the answer to your question, but my story is as likely as ony other, right? )

  7. Posted · Report reply

    Well, if it's any consolation, my stitching practice on my screw up was almost perfect! Now if I can just use that perfect stitching when I make the REAL deal :) I'm still trying to find that "thing" that works for me, and every time I do something, it gets better.

    Now, who has the easy button for leather working?

    And thanks for the encouragement. It means a lot to me.

  8. Posted · Report reply

    It's somehow encouraging and helpful KNOWING that I'm not the only one! Besides, it gives me an excuse to tell the wife I need to get more leather, right? I did put it aside for now while I continue to "get over it". Time to calm down and relax before continuing. (Okay, to relax more....gotta let some glue dry before I do anything else, anyway.)

  9. Posted · Report reply

    Eh, if I could get a decent (or at least BETTER) dye job, I would. But, I'm just gonna chalk it up to experience, use it for practice, and make a new one when I can get my hands on better leather. Trust me, I had thought of taking that nice 3-4oz I have and lining it. Just decided not to. I feel much better after ranting at myself, though!

  10. Posted · Report reply

    This is just a bit of a rant at myself to vent a little.

    I spent a long time designing the pattern for a holster. I made several prototypes to make sure the stitch lines were right, and the layout was the way I wanted it. I then carefully put my pattern pieces on the leather, scribed the lines, and cut them out. (Ok, so my cuts aren't perfect, but I get better each time. I've only been doing leather since April, after all :) ) Then, I look at them...I CUT ONE OUT "BACKWARDS"! or inside out, what ever. Anyway, the grain side is now the INSIDE. So, lay out another...carefully! AND DO THE SAME THING!

    I'm going to go ahead and make the thing, as it's good practice, but it was a bone head move the first time, and plain stupid the second. The consolation prize(s)? First, it's for me, not someone else, and this chunk of leather is a Tandy special that won't take dye, no matter what I do. AND it's almost gone now :)

    So, among all the other lessons I've learned in the last few months, this one gets chalked up to "Be careful with the layout. When you're sure it's right, double check it. Then, before scribing, outlining, or ANYTHING, check it again. "

    Anyway, that's the venting rant, and maybe soon I will make something that I am not ashamed to show :) Take care

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Nige, ALL of your videos are so helpful! I have to wait until I get the funds to grab some good stones for sharpening, but used some sandpaper I have, and got the awl MUCH closer to "sharp and polished". Just tried it on several different pieces of leather - up to about 3/8" total thickness - and it is amazing what a difference it makes!

    Again, thanks for all the info you have given us!

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