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I'll bite..how come you don't see the red thread on the inside.... Is it the photography, or some secret medeival leatherworker's tradition handed down by third son's of cordwainers? ..or did you use different color in the bobbin.... Nice looking..plain and simple

I'm back in. Has anybody set the rules yet?

Way to go tazzman!.. Who says there ain't no karma!.

I didn't hit him...honest!!! LOL. I hope you liked it, and it fit. If not, let me know, and I'll make a new one. It's a pretty heavy belt, so it'll take a while to break it in. It will also double as a concealed carry platform. I used Zack White's Bridle Side. Nice stuff. Should last, well, forever....

I think it looks great. The molding is precise. What weight leather?

When I first started this work back up a few months ago, I was searching the internet for anything to spark the old flames...and then I found this place, an unbelievable treasure trove of Wisdom, Skill, and Giving. Many of you may not realize just how special this Forum is. When I started Leatherwork in the 70s, in Boston, there was very little to help you out in learning, or finding anything. There was no internet, no Google..nada. Whatever you learned was from Tandy, and whatever you might be able to copy. I used to have to buy Telephone books from other Cities, just to look and see if there were any suppliers of leather or hardware there. Then I would mail away for a catalog, or make expensive calls all over just to track down the possibility of something. There would be weeks between snail mail requests and possible information. I became a Sam Spade detective, just to find a clasp. It was a hard snog. This Forum has some of the best Leatherworkers in the world on it, along with a slew of people about to enter the craft. Ask a question, and get an answer in seconds...To me, it's as amazing as the day they first turned on an electric light.

Nice job Anne. I like the look, and I think the design on the back of the strap looks good too!

That's one cute kid Spider. We may be looking at a future Leather Star. Just remember to pay better than minimum, and he might stay working with you...lol

You're alright Art, I don't care what Johanna says about ya....lol

All nice looking stuff Art!. For some reason I like the wrist/watch cuffs. I've made similar, but am frustrated at how to attach the thin bands in a good looking manner. How are you fixing those straps?..maybe you have a flip side pic.

Real nice job Beeza. Looks like a lot of padding, and with the air fittings, someone's gonna ride in comfort! Can't wait to see the pix in the mag. You deserve any and all credit.

Incredible piece of work!. The molding is fantastic. The nose and mouth - wow. As for your questions, I can't really answer, except trying to use some logic: 1. Different parts of the hide - try cutting from a stiffer section. Each hide is a little different, but they all are stretchier closer to the belly. This can actually help in molding, but possibly you were too close on this one. 2. Casing - too wet, and you end up having to push water, not hide. Maybe better to wait a hair longer before beginning to mold. Use less water (spray) when re-wetting. 3. When you can't beat the leather, go with it. Those look more like real facial wrinkles, anyways. Possibly indent/push into some of them to represent age wrinkle lines. Others, way smarter than me, may have better clues, but maybe this is a beginning....

Thanx go to Luke, but I found the exact page by searching for brogues: $6.00 for the pattern. http://www.smoke-fire.com/search_results.a...arch=fromSearch

This stuff works real good! Much better than edge kote. http://www.eleatherworks.com/search.php?mo...arch&page=1

Welcome to the Forum. Sounds like you'll have a wealth of information to share, and the people here will give back. What part of the Country are you located now?

Great tutorial, Ian. Thanks for sharing. That's the best part of this site. You get to show off AND help others. These bags may seem simple to you, but to others they are a mystery, so your help is most appreciated, and I'm sure will inspire someone to attempt.

Geez...pushy, pushy...lol . Well, I've got the pattern worked out. Going to probably start cutting over the weekend. She wants rubber back, or something like that. I've got samples coming in the mail, after that it's sewing time. Nevermind me! That bag deserves a lot more attention..shape is cool, bw is looking good, and the color is exactly the brown I like. When's your saddlebag tutorial coming on line. There's a few eyeballs, I'm sure, that would love to see that!

That is one slick looking bag. I like the BW part too, especially continued down the billet. How is goint to be attached?

I've been finding just about everything in jpcycles catalog. See if these are what you want: http://www.jpcycles.com/search.aspx?search...g&store=All

Just beautiful!. Nice job Ian. You started off with an idea, and followed through with a great strap. I like the way you did the keepers. The silverwork looks good...not too much.

Here's a fe links. A Jumbo on ebay, and a link to the co. http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Jumbo-Brand-we...3QQcmdZViewItem http://www.cabincreekcds.com/Schoellkopf25.htm

God looked down at the world, and said "See, right there in Witchita, next to the railroad tracks, I didn't put enough dandelions". As a prominent self-critic, once you finish that seat off, the customer will ride with pride and memories. His friends will ask where he got it from, and say wow!.

Everyone, that's real nice of you... Froghunter - "intricate look simple" is a very nice thing to say.. Ian, I'll PM you back tomorrow. Hedge, Romey, thanxz for lookin'

Welcome to the Block sodapop! Be careful of the donuts throwers...lol You do realize there are people who would kill to be in your position to train with a saddlemaker.....?

Thanx Beav and Tom! Beaverslayer - I liked the color too...as usual, you have a plan how to dye, and the leather decides for you...lol Tom - I keep trying ways for no buckles, this one so far seems to be my standard, until I figger another way.