TomSwede

Oh, I just automatically assumed handstitching because that is the feeling I have most seatmakers use but all the better for you. Make that machine useful. It's not the stitching in itself I like it's the way you have incorporated it overall, to work with the design and and making a good border for it to run along and good edges. Tom

Never seen one of those before but the job looks very neat. Clean and crisp!! Tom

Oh physical handicaps is hard. I had to cure my arm in two weeks after tearing a hole in my underarm, JUST missed the main artery but still a drag to go around and wait for it to heal up in two weeks. I cheated and waited one week;-) Tom

Just commented your seat!! You'll be doing alot of handstitching in the future;-) Tom

I'm often the one to put my thumbs up for braided stuff opposed to stitched BUT a well thought through stitching job can surely equal that of a Mexican roundbraided edge. Think you nailed it!! This seat is killer!!! You can be proud, grab a beer and relax tonite!! Tomorrow...new seats, I think handstitching may be in demand when this one hits the streets;-) Sharpen your awl!! Tom

Heey that is sweet!!! Tough belt for a lucky and cool guy!!! Tom

Doesn't someone around this place sell cocobolo slicker?? Huh, think I've seen ads around here for both hardwoods (cocobolo) and deer antlers. Living in Sweden and being financially disabled at the moment I've kinda ignored such temptations;-) Tom

Thank you Bro!!! IT was quite fun and good therapy to work with layers and sanding!!! That skull on bike is really cool if memory serves me right! Tom

Very good looking seat! Love the tan and black combo and a braided edge allways lifts the design in a special way!! Tom

Seeing outside just make looks so much nicer!!!! Very slick!!! Did you use acrylic sealer for the painted parts?? Tom

Very good looking belts and love the applique braid!!! Tom

The whole background has been textured/pushed down. As you may see I have used a beveler around all edges/conours prior to backgrounding and in the narow part in the symbol I used the small dropshaped A-104 to push down the background. E-294 is a bit big to go in there but main reason is that I think another type of texture there will make the symbol "pop out" better. Attached images shows a complete image of this job but with a better ovierview of how it turns out when not viewing in a blown up pic that is high in detail. Tom

This a background pattern I use alot. I use crafttols E-294 for this type. The leather is almost dry when I apply the backgrounder and after I've gone over the whole surface to be covered I smack down the backgrounder tilted here and there with a good whack to make few extra deep impressions to further enhance the texture. Tom

Leatherworking should be in your blood so can't wait to see what you could come up with if you get really into it. The ideas you draw up are great and I'm leaning towards the solution to the left personally but gunna check with that silversmith and see what she thinks. I'm kinda hoping for a joint project with her so maybe let her use her own ideas if she likes what she sees. Than you very much TinyL!!! I'm really glad to hear this Remember to put the leather pieces under good pressure until glue has dried up thoroughly so you can sand it with out getting separating layers if you try. Tom Tom

Great looking belt and I really like the colour combo. I have many times thought it'd be nice to do that combo. Your belts look very professional. Tom

Hi and welcome!!! I'm sure you won't regret registering to this board if you'll like to dive deeper into leathers. There is an adult section too, just send a message to Johanna and she'll let you in. Working leather takes alot of time so prepare for a new addicton that will steal time from the others;-) Tom

Hey Hilly keep a couple of cold Guinness handy when I visit you and I'll show you beer that stains alot;-)

Excellent work Major!! I was just thinking the other day that we need a good tut for newcomers to leather because it is very hard to explain to someone. Tom

Really cool seat!!! Love the top with the different types of leather just as MadMax stated!! Good use of braids and very nice colour combo! Tom

If yoy try it PLZ post the result. I'm very curious about it too. Tom

Aww Hilly ...glad you like it!!! THX!! Tom

Very good looking belt!! The edga looks very good in natural and gives a very nice framing to the floral work. Nice match to your boots!!! Tom

Japp, det blev väl bara så att vi adopterade varandra!!! Tror det var nå't med att du kom på 2:a plats och jag 3:e plats i samma kategori. Jag ska tömma och sälja andrahuset nu. Jobbigt. Tom

Ah gotcha Luke but maybe time to give a go at the rodtubes again beacuse 47 left to go ha ha you know;-) Tack Knut!! Näe inte på riktigt men jag adopterade henne genom LW eller om hon adopterade mig..minns inte riktigt. Tina, minns du?? Oh wow Marie!!! Thank you so much!!! Yeah that looks marvelous and that is so very kind of you, many thanks!!! As you might have read I have some ideas for a silver type thread/string solution and this just what I thought about but way more elegant out come. I will visit this sliversmith a mentioned and I'm gonna take your print with me. Thank you so very much!!! Tom

Thank you Bree!! Oh that is hard to tell. I glued the heart together and then I just sanded it a bit now and then when I was out smoking coffe and like that but it's not too many hours. I narrowed time down much by outlining the final heart shape on top of the heart and used the skiving knife to remove excess leather and then sand it to final shape. The necklace itself is no big deal to fabricate. Tom