thefanninator

Looks really nice. It looks like the gap between each pocket is a little big, can that be closed? How are your edges? Can't see them. It's hand stitched right? Stitching looks pretty good. What is the top stitching line stitched to? Is it just there for looks? My personal preference is smaller/finer threads. I've been doing leatherwork about as long as you. You can probably move up to some nicer interior leather like goatskin and Fil au Chinois Lin Cable thread if you want. Depends on your goals and style.

I have a die that WAS a mallet die. You could hammer all day and it wouldn't cut through. I was using 8 oz veg tan and the die was approx. 6 x 6" though so it was too big and the leather was too thick. I had it cut and just found someone to click it for me. Find someone close to you to click for you. I used Texas Custom Dies.

I've messaged a few others about this & want to invite any & all who want to participate in a monthly project. 1 new project every month for all of 2015. Each month we'll use one of the patterns Tom has shared (Thanks Tom!) on the Patterns & Templates forum. The pattern will be announced on the 1st of each month. No hard and fast rules except to follow the pattern (should be close but not exact) and share pictures & details of your finished project by the end of the month. The goal of the monthly project is to "Keep Making Stuff", push your skills, learn new techniques and get better. It's not a competition, no prizes, except someone will choose the pattern for the following month. I'll post a link to the 1st pattern January 1, 2015.

The cookie cutters are dies and they're using a clicker press to press the dies and cut the leather. Here's a small one: http://www.tippmannindustrial.com/clicker-700-die-cutting-machine-p-117.html

Very nice. Tell us about the leather.

Updated photo with flap stitching and crease. Top and back/side.

If you're still looking check out Lisa Sorrel's skiving knives. She's got an ad that is up top sometimes. http://www.customboots.net/customboots.net/SNF_knives.html

Awesome and hilarious! Good work.

Sometimes a light comes on and I had one of those moments a few weeks ago. My Vergez Blanchard pricking iron is a 9/10. Which is 9 teeth per inch but HELLO it's takes 2 marks to make 1 stitch. So after 9 tpi you really only get 8 stitches ... not to quick on the uptake. I'll post a few more photos when I take some... I finished stitching the flap. Anyone have a suggestion for buffing this thing up? Maybe just a shoeshine brush or something? Since Horween is already finished I don't really want to use a polish or cream or anything.

Thanks Monica. I mentioned it on your thread about English Bridle. It seemed very dry and it had what seemed like black paper material on the flesh side. I decided to stitch the flap. Maybe I'll get around to doing a proper leather strap.

Yeah, I bought this Horween there. I asked them if they'd cut me a strap of black Essex and they said sides only.

I totally agree about the nylon strap. I ran out of Horween and bought a black strap of "English Bridle" leather and I was not happy with it. I don't want to spend anymore money on it. Agree on the flap stitching too. Only real reason I didn't do it is that there's not two pieces to stitch; it would only be for looks. Anyone got a strap of black Horween Essex they want to sell me? It's basically Valerie Michael's briefcase resized and similar to a Frank Clegg.

Messenger bag made from Horween Essex leather, Lin Cable French linen thread, Amiet brushed brass lock w/key, brass hardware, and adjustable nylon strap. Cell phone pocket on back.

What's the smallest amount I can order? Are you willing to divide some up into a smaller container?

http://www.weaverleathersupply.com/Catalog/ItemContent.aspx?ItemNumber=29291&CatalogId=001&CatalogDetailId=40&NSM=Y Whoops, just noticed it was already posted. Weaver will sell to anyone now. The Weaver Leather Supply site is for anyone. Weaver Leather is for businesses.

Weaver has a centering device for this.

I've been using Fenice and it looks pretty nice but takes way too many coats. Interested to see how the Stahl and others finish up. Are you from the US? Would you ship this back or fly it back?

Only thing I think it needs is a little antique to bring out the tooling. Nice job!

Use a double loop/slider like this: http://www.buckleguy.com/double-loop-sliders/

I've been meaning to try this: http://www.pecard.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=Pecard&Category_Code=exotic

Depends on what look you like. I prefer a finer look so I use thinner threads. I have the 3 ply which they told me is about .77 mm. I think it's a good size for any general stitching. I've used it for 9 spi and I'll use it for 7 spi in the near future.

I use it. Love it. I use it when I don't want to spend the $$ on Lin Cable. I've never used Tiger thread and really don't have any reason to.

I just bought an English Bridle strap and it seems very dry compared to what I thought it would be. Smells funny too, like chemicals. Described as: Drum Dyed, Vegetable Tanned, Smooth Flesh/Grain Side. Not too happy with it but I guess I'll make it work.

90s Alt Rock & Alt Country/Americana. Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Dave Matthews Band, David Gray. Guy Clark, Ryan Adams, Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin. Local Austin, TX music - The Gourds, Bob Schneider, Shinyribs.

Ouch ... but tell us about that black bag!