Hi Im Joe

Why not indeed! Machine sewing definitely opens up some great options. However it us not peaceful and relaxing and zen like the way hand sewing is.

Thank you Monica! I've found that machine sewing has a fairly steep learning curve as well. I think Macca likes messing with me. I'm just jealous I don't have all those sweet vintage top of the line hand tools he has collected over the years.

Yeah. The fact that is "sort of works" does concern me. I'm not opposed to working on the thing and figuring it out but if I can't get parts that kind of doesn't matter.

LOL. The other one was machine stitched as well... I am sorry to have let you down Macca. Now say if you were will to part with that sweet set of NOS Dixon pricking irons and one of the 59872383 vergez draw gauges you have I'd gladly devote hours and hours to the wonder of hand stitching?

Hello everyone, I have a chance to buy a Champion wide throat needle and awl machine. It's listed for 150 about an hour and a half away from me. The guy (who is super nice) has told me it "sort of works." He hand feeds everything because he said when he uses the motor it skips and breaks needles. What do you think? Is this worth it? Or am I nuts? Thanks, Joe EDIT: Here is a link to the CL post: http://louisville.craigslist.org/grd/4679605836.html

Thanks! The copper rivets are a vast improvement on the crappy rapid ones.

Thanks Frederiek!

That looks really nice fanninator! I also love the Essex leather.

CXL is fantastic smelling. Although so is Essex. It's a toss up for me. I love them both.

Very cool stuff. That saddlers clamp is SWEET!

Those are just awesome. Excellent craftsmanship! Just beautiful.

You need a better camera. LOL.

Really awesome work! Great job!

Post up some examples of stuff you've made with that combination. I'd love to see it.

Nope not trying to pawn it off. I just don't use it and would give him a better price than buying one new. It's a nice iron I just don't use it. It is not even worth my time to try and "prove" anything to you. You never listen. OP if you are interested let me know. Otherwise good luck...I have heard good things about the Dixon slimline irons.

So you don't own the Osbornes and/or have never used them? You are comparing the dixons/blanchard irons which you own and use so you are qualified to compare those but how can you compare them to the Osbornes when you have zero actual experience? Do you see why this bothers me and others? If you have no actual experience no one wants to hear your conjecture...especially when it is presented as facts.

Exactly. Sorry OP not trying to hi-jack your thread but DavidL is notorious for commenting on things he has no actual experience with. He comments like he has real world first hand experience but in reality he is just making crap up.

Do you own the Osborne? Have you used it?

Thank you very much! I'll definitely double check and make sure I have the thing indexed correctly. Could you explain how to use the toothpick to index it? Thank you for the suggestion. I hope it solves my problem! Thank you so much for the kind words Michelle! Having made the thing once before really does help to iron out the kinks. That Portmanteau bag definitely looks interesting and maybe I'll take a stab at it sometime in the near future. It is very nice and reassuring to hear people tell you you are getting better. Especially people that have no vested interest in making you feel good about yourself (i.e. friends, family). It confirms that I'm headed in the right direction. So once again thank you for taking the time to stop by and comment!

Thanks Macca! I'm getting there.

I have an 8 sti CS Osborne pricking iron I'll sell you. Make me a reasonable offer. It is in like new condition. I just like the chisel more than the pricking irons.

Thank you sir! I've been working hard at my hand stitching. It's at a level that I'm pretty happy with. Thank you! You should definitely make one of these for yourself! Just make sure to post it up in the thread. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Thank you! At first I used a poly or nylon cord but now I don't use anything. I just glue the edges and fold it over. Umm...no. For this bag I intended to make a t-slot style tote bag like the daytripper from teranishi. My next bag will be some type of "doctor" style bag...meaning a separate bottom with no gussets on the side. Basically the bottom will dictate the width of the bag. I'm going to try and mock up some stuff with paper to get the pattern right because I've never made a bag like that before. I'm sure it will take some trial and error (probably more error). Thanks Bill! The finger tab was an absolute necessity after making the first version. It was a total bitch to snap the flap closed without the finger tab. I've done some zipper topped bags as well but really it was just a style choice. I like how it looks. There really is no functional reason. In fact it's really not the most practical of bags to get into but I like how it looks so...I went with it. Thank you sir! I'll try to take a shot of it unrolled tomorrow and post it up. .

So it was time to make a wallet for myself and I just love this pattern so here it is: Black and Blue Horween Essex and Lapis Blue leather Big Ass Wallet

So I got so much great feedback I decided to make another roll top bag. This one is made out of Horween Dark Cognac Essex. I used all copper rivets and antique brass snaps. I think the colors look very nice with this bag. I also used size 138 thread which definitely looks better. Although my machine does not like it. I get skipped stitches as well as top thread fraying a lot with size 138 thread. I need to try and figure that out...any tips would be great appreciated. I'm using a size 22 needle with an adler 67 sewing machine. I added finger tabs for the the snaps because on the original bag its a b*tch to snap the flap closed. The tabs help a ton! This is the first time I've used copper rivets as well. OMG I love them so much more than rapid rivets. Thanks again for all the comments on the last thread. It helped me make this bag which I think is definitely an improvement! Joe