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Very Nice! Looks like you put a lot of time into it.

Thanks everyone. It has been quite a learning experience. I did the typical boxed ends by cutting 1 1/4" squares on the corners and sewing them together. I will try and put some photos up later to show an example.

Very clean looking work! I have some blanks and hope to get around to making them soon.

That's some beautiful work!

I have taken a break from wallets and tried to start making bags. I have always wanted a nice Dopp kit and never would pay the money for one, so I decided to try and make some. I started out trying to make them by sewing the liner along with the outside and it turned out to be extremely frustrating to get everything lined up. This one was made by inserting the liner and sewing it in by hand. It is Kangaroo with a Cordura lining. You'll probably notice that the topstitching is a little off. My Juki decided it didn't want to play nice since I was using such expensive material. Denim & Canvas. One of my first. Veggie tanned

Machine has been sold.

Machine was purchased sometime around Jan 2015. Probably has all of about 2hrs on it. It is in perfect condition. Comes with table,light, variable speed motor, and manuals. I will throw in some thread and needles. Please PM with any questions. $1500 and I cannot ship this machine. Machine is located in Hendersonville, NC

Stunning!

Thanks everyone! I will try all these suggestions.

I think I have figured out through reading around the forum that I will do my backstitching by hand. I made another wallet this afternoon and this is my result. Looks a lot better. I still got my curves to focus on but I will get there. Top Bottom

Close-up of backstitching on top Backstitching on Bottom

I am mainly trying to get started with wallets. I am using 4-5oz outside leather with 2-3oz inside. I am still trying to figure out what thread size to use or looks best (69 or 138). The photos below are with 138 and a 22 needle. Top stitch looks good to me. Here is the bottom stitch, which I cannot seem to live with. In this example, I have mashed down the thread and edges around the stitch to try and make it look better. I really do not like the way the backstitch bunches or knots up. Not sure if this is a tension issue or the best my machine will do?? Another side of wallet (Bottom Stitch)

Would anyone care to post some close up photos of the bottom side stitch of a properly tensioned lockstitch machine? I am clueless on what to look for. Every time I think I have my machine tensioned properly for what I am stitching, I see flaws. I know I will never get my bottom stitch to look like the top, but I do feel I could do better.

This is a beautiful piece! I love the color and the way you did the straps. I am interested in your sewing also.

I am probably going to go back to #69 thread. I probably should have just stuck with trying to learn hand stitching but have invested in the machine and feel as though I should use it. Here is one of my first with the #69 thread

Monica, Thank you for the comments. Yes, I do need to work on the edges. Actually, these are saddle soaped, bees waxed, and burnished. I am having the issue of the edges curling back out though I will admit that I only have one edge beveler and its not the right size. The holes are round as I am using a sewing machine. I am on the fence as to whether the thread (#138) is too large or I should drop back to a #69.

I am really having fun with these. There are so many possibilities. I have many areas to work on but I am enjoying the journey! Hermann Oak 3/4 oz exterior w/2/3 oz interior. This one has pockets under the card slots. Wish I had a skiver to take down some material! Horween Black Horsebutt 5/6 oz exterior w/Hermann Oak 2/3 oz interior Horween Black Horsebutt 5/6 oz exterior w/Hermann Oak 2/3 oz interior

Those are just beautiful! Very elegant and well designed.

Great look boots! I would imagine them being quite difficult to make.

Looks very nice!

Pretty leather & wallet. Looks nice and thin.

You do some incredible work!

Thanks guys. I just followed instructions on pressing the clutch release and turn hand wheel in reverse and in started to work again.

Thanks everyone for the comments! The thread did get stuck in the hook and caused the clutch to engage. I actually thought that the clutch locked the whole gearing from moving at all which is why I did not check this. Sure enough, holding down the button and turning wheel in reverse cleared it right up.

Well I think I have broken my Juki already or I am just doing something really stupid. While trying to sew some leather this morning, I noticed the needle snapped off and that the wheel would not rotate completely around. I think this small shaft with arm curved arm on end is called the "opener" which looks to be keeping the casing that holds the bobbin assembly from turning. This shaft is very tight and doesn't move. When the hook starts to turn up this arm in the top photo hits the metal and causes the lever inside this gear, on the bottom photo, to release the bobbin shaft. Any ideas? I guess I will be looking for a repair person today. This is quite frustrating as I have not had the machine 3 weeks. Thank for any help. Chris