Renoir

I'm a grown-up. Signed : my mummy.

I made myself a swivel knife I also wrote-up how I did it if anyone else is interested. http://renoirsrants....ade-swivel.html They aren't that expensive, but I find it interesting to make your own tools . TBD: Find/make a proper 'flat' blade. Surface finish on wood - stain/varnish. Also, I'm looking out for one of the aluminium cheap knives - may be a bit sturdier than the plastic one.

Yep I've created an account with abbey, they do some nice stuff! I notice the large spools too - I'm getting to grips with a couple of projects first before going the 'whole hog'. I think I'll probably try out a short length from Ian Atkinson to see how much nicer it is Ian has a great site and a whole set of useful info!

I recently made my own pony too http://www.flickr.com/photos/56285539@N06/sets/72157635258004549/ Adding a couple of foam blocks (I grabbed some of my wife's cosmetic foam wedges) gives a really handy place to shove the needles when pausing. I also drilled a 4mm hole and padded with foam to put the awl somewhere. I had the 'catching' problem with the thread loop - a large spare needle shoved in at an angle fixed it. Interesting to see all the variations!

As promised, my second leather project Wallet. Lined with blue satin and pigskin (in places). 4 card slots, two billfold pockets and two 'behind' pockets. Change pouch. http://www.flickr.com/photos/56285539@N06/9617957754/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/56285539@N06/9614717971/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/56285539@N06/9614716033/

Wiltshire nod from me Also learning...

Hi all! Beginner here, three weeks in and having fun. First project : replacement watch strap http://www.flickr.com/photos/56285539@N06/9611413552/ very pleased with how it went - very happy with first-time stitching! (Colour 'dye' from brown shoe scuff - the stuff that comes in a bottle with a sponge on top! staying on so far...) Also made myself a stitching pony http://www.flickr.com/photos/56285539@N06/sets/72157635258004549/ I'm currently making my first wallet - I'll post photos when done . Top things I have learnt so far! * youtube videos are great to learn / demonstrate! Many thanks to all who uploaded leather videos. * Learn to sharpen tools properly. Sandpaper/wet'n'dry is cheap and does a great job, a cheap set of diamond steels work too. * Make a leather strop (glue leather to a bit of scrap wood and rub in some polishing paste). * Your knife must be **sharp** to cut leather well. * A glass 'cutting' board will destroy your sharp edge after 1-2 strokes. plastic is better * I've had reasonable success with the 'snap-off' style blades - stropping a few times seems to put a nice edge on them, and they are cheap to learn with. * Wear disposable gloves when handling dye. * Dye *will* get on your hands. See above. * There is no such thing as a quick 'touch up' of a missed spot. Opening a dye bottle will get it on your hands. * Dye exists in a strange quantum state. Simply observing the bottle will sometimes get it on your hands. * A proper diamond leather sewing awl is essential - and learn how to sharpen it!

I built my own pony too Based on the design at http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_stitchpony.html http://www.flickr.com/photos/56285539@N06/9608175805/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/56285539@N06/9608176657/ The funny looking triangle thing is left over from an Ikea curtain rail. It works great as a handle to do the bolt up. The angled needle underneath is to help the thread loop slip over the bolt without catching. I glued a couple of cosmetic foam wedges to the front ( I wrapped mine in pigskin - next time I won't bother). This gives me somewhere to put the needles if I have to put it down half-way through. I also drilled a 4mm hole and stuffed with foam - allows me to shove the awl in there and keeps it handy. Nice work on yours!

Hi. Just starting out and having fun with leather working - Massive thanks to Nigel Armitage and Ian Atkinson for some excellent videos! Where do people buy tiger thread in the UK? Create a 'company' account at Abbey? I'm starting with watch straps, cuffs, wallets and belts. I'm thinking 0.8mm tiger should do that? should I also grab some 1mm for belts? I've got some 'size 30' nylon coming from le provo (great customer support so far) Complete newbie. be gentle