HCRider

Thanks Ron, Your comments definitely helped. The pattern pack I received just stated to use 6-7 oz leather with 4-5 oz gussets. It didn't really specify the type. I modified the pattern slightly to make a shoulder bag rather than potentially waste a lot of leather on a saddle bag project. It turned out very stiff which for a shoulder bag is fine but not something I would want for a saddle bag. I was thinking about using milled veg tan for the saddle bags so I can use my design and have a softer leather. There are soooo many possibilities in leather work and I look forward to learning.

Thank you. Wow skirting leather is stiff so I guess the HO leather I have should be fine. I have never really seen anyone using saddlebags made out of tooling leather. They always have soft oil tanned type leathers so I wasn't sure if I was wrong in my leather selection. I won't know if I don't try and put my stuff out there. Thanks again....

Hello, So I just received my basic saddle bag pattern pack from Springfield Leather. It says to use 4-5oz leather for the gussets and 6-7oz for the main leather. I have designed a nice laptop bag using two gussets and wanted to modify it into a saddle bag with this pattern. I made one side and it turned out too stiff using my Herrmann Oak and it will not lay right on the saddle/horse in my opinion. So, what type of leather is best for saddle bags? Regular veg tan or a more soft type of leather? I appreciate your comments. Thanks.

Thank you Aaron. I went back and looked at my checkbook. I think it is mainly because I made the pockets too deep and the book and register can't sit far enough down. Good thing it is cheap leather from Tandy.....

Thank you. It is probably the pig skin issue. I did line it flat. I haven't come across anything saying how to measure the lining for this issue. How much bigger should the lining be than the main body?

Hello....I am new to leather working and have been snooping around this site for a bit. I truly intend to introduce myself on the other page someday soon..... I don't mean to steal this thread but I recently tried a checkbook cover. 7"x 6 3/4'.....I used 3-4oz veg tan. I single looped laced it with 3/32 lace and lined it with mission grain pig skin. it looks nice but it will not stay closed and the checkbook is close to the edge. I am in the process of trying again with 7 1/4x 6 3/4".....Not sure if either is the right size or I just need to break it in. If so, how do i do that other than standing on it for days ?

hi, I am new to this forum but I think you should post this question in the Braiding section. It may get more attention in that section.

The Hide House in Napa, Ca is a good place to start.