DJ1935

Thank you, everyone, for your encouraging comments. The case has loops on the rear for attatching to a belt. It's all hand stitched. DJ

Hi Ian Here is a photo of our Pfaff 335 which we sold last week. It is a German made circa 1970/80's. Excellent machine, great sewer but yes! the bobbin is too small. Cheers DJ

I was asked to make a Camera Case for a just retired Dressage Judge. I thought she might like the Horse design. I've repaired plenty of box type articles with angled stitching but never done anything from scratch before. Here's the finished case. DJ

Hi Ray, we got our new 441 about a month ago and it came with an edge guide which is almost the same as the one on the #6 Pearson - indespensible for long straps and neat edges around curves. My question is how do you prevent that mesmerising "white line fever" effect when you do long straps? Harry's right about the silent motor - its' eerie and dangerous if the machine was left on and unattended for some reason - phone rings, neighbour turns up etc etc and a child or pet steps on the pedal. Thankfully we have neither to worry about but a light wired into the switch would be a great assistance in knowing the machine was on or not. Happy sewing DJ

Just wondering how one goes about sewing fancy scallop type patterns on belts etc and getting it symetrical all the way along? Thanks DJ

Brilliant! Thank you, Barra, just what I wanted. I did try Lefflers but no luck there. Thanks DJ

Does anyone know where I can buy wide elastic, the type on elastic sided boots, which stretches sideways as opposed to longways like the girth elastic does. Preferably a supplier "down under". Cheers DJ

Hi Ray I drive a my red (ex Post Office) '73 Morris 1100 van every day for work. It got christened "the Tardis" by one of my workers years ago and the name stuck. We also have a 1936 Morris Eight called "Chester". It had an old sticker in the back window from the town of Chester in the Uk. I left it there hoping a former owner might spot it. After 23 years nothing yet! The old Pearson I call "Jimmy" after the Saddler we got it from, sadly he passed away two months after we picked up the machine from his workshop. He was a great guy and parted this earth far too early. Yes, I guess naming inanimate objects is an English "thing". (I was born on the Isle of Wight!) Cheers DJ

This is our old girl. A 1956 International AR110. My husband found it under a tree and restored it about forty odd years ago. Since then he's done about 300,00 miles and another two restorations, including putting in a Perkins diesel. It was the first diesel ute in our part of NZ, everyone said he was mad! The truck was used every day for work, fixing John Deere tractors in the field, but since the boss has slowed down a bit old "Thunderguts" has an easier life. It has an on board compressor for air tools (works the air horn under the bonnet too!) and home-made hydraulic lifting arm on the tray. If this truck could talk, she'd tell you some stories! Cheers DJ

Bill Gates aye? I'm off to the shed ............... I may be some time! Thank you for explaining about that guys. DJ

And I thought that you all were professional Leather workers! I almost feel that I fit in now. I left school and went to work temporarily for my Father as a Painter & Decorator (our family goes back to the 17th Century as house painters). In the '70s it was pretty unheard of for a girl to be working in the construction industry and I was pretty shy and reserved. That was 31 years ago and I am running the painting business. Decided last year that the body has had enough of lugging scaffolding about and sanding weatherboards so have scaled the painting down with the hope of doing more leather work - not as much money in it but a whole lot nicer lifestyle. DJ

Hi Barra, thank you. I was actually looking for the Quick Change hardware which fits on the bottom end of the cheek piece of Western Bridles to allow you to change your bit at shows without carting round an arsnel of screwdrivers. It is a relatively new thing, havent seen it in any of the catalogues down this end of the pond yet. Keep an eye on that Piquet line - dont want any stampedes! Cheers DJ

Does anyone know a supplier for Bit Quick Change hardware for Western Bridles? DJ

Thank you, everyone for your comments. Here are a couple of "experiments" with the marble effect using more Potash (left) and longer reaction time. The marbling is done by acid reaction, not the use of dye which is only used at the end of the process. Acids used are Sulphuric, Hydrochloric and Oxalic. The acids react with each other and the potash. When I have sussed the recipe out I'll post it here - providing I still have all my fingers!! DJ

I can sympathise with you, Kathy. In April of last year we suddenly lost our much loved Quarter Horse, Sundown (pictured Left). As if this wasnt enough my Husband suddenly collapsed a month later and spent a few days in Hospital after having his heart stopped and restarted. After weeks of tests he was diagnosed with a bowel tumour and underwent surgery in August. Thankfully he has fully recovered and is in good spirits. His motto is "every day is a better day". I was real glad to turn over a new calendar last week and wipe the slate clean. Keep looking forward - dont look back - and keep positive in all you do and enjoy yourself. You dont know how long you are going to be here! Best wishes to everyone DJ

A while ago I was given an early 1900's book which described how to acheive a marble effect on leather. This involved collecting an array of acids, common in 1900 but caused some strange looks and "behind the counter" mutterings when asked for at the local Pharmacy. Having friends in the right places helps and I got the ingredients together and did some experimenting over the Christmas period. All sorts of effects can be acheived, this one on the Ladies Purse was more muted. Some of the test pieces came out looking amazingly like marble, every piece is different depending on the reactions of the acids and length of time allowed. It will be interesting to further the experiment in the future and see what results can be acheived. Leather worker turns mad scientist! DJ

Thank you everyone for your replies. I am using Coates Terko #20 thread. The machine came with six bobbins (I can see why!) and everything seems to fit ok. An Upholsterer in town has a new Seiko which has the same size bobbins and he has the same problem, in fact he is so good at changing them he can almost do it without stopping. I find it unbelievable that the makers have developed these machines as "industrial" modern sewers but havent upsized the bobbin capacity. The good old Pearson will sew half a dozen belts and still be looking round for more. With the knowledge we have today why cant the bottom be fed straight from a spool like the top feed? Cheers DJ

Happy New year to all. Whilst on the subject of Pfaffs. We purchased a 335, grey, cylinder arm model dating from the '60's or '70's. It sews great, goes like a scalded cat and is a brilliant machine. BUT the bobbin only holds enough thread to sew about six feet, if you are lucky! One belt and that's about it. This is extremely frustrating to say the least. Does anyone else have this problem? Is there a modification for these machines? It must have been a real headache in the factory situation, they would have been continually loading and putting in new bobbins. Cheers DJ

Yes, ouch! As Tom said this is a good reminder to us all of what not to do and also how fast things can go wrong. Some years ago I was busy fixing a bridle on the lounge floor. My Mother and younger Brother were playing cards in front of the fire. My Brother was accused of cheating and to avoid a Motherly clip on the ear he jumped backwards on his butt. Unfortunately my trusty Speedi Stitcher was sitting right there on the carpet. I can still see my Brothers bulging eyes as he jumped up with the wooden handle of the stitcher protuding from his rear end. It bobbled about as he lept about the room moaning. Fortunately the thread had come out of the needle. I've never been forgiven for this event - and my Brother's eyes still bulge at the sight of that stitcher. "Everything is funny as long as it is happening to someone else"

Congradulations on your purchase! It's great to hear that these amazing machines are still being used around the world. We purchased a complete machine last Christmas, serial No 6892. It came with the winder, needle steadies, edge guide and round rein attatchment. Cheers DJ

These photos are of some old Osborne stamps donated to our Museum. They belonged to a saddler who arrived in the city, from England, in the 1850's. If anyone can date them or add any history it would be most appreciated. The triangle (N0 133) is the stamp I used on the belts in the New belts - old stamps topic in the Show Off section.

Thank you everyone for your feedback. It's good to know one is heading in the right direction. I have posted some photos of the stamp, and some others, in the Leather History section. Cheers DJ

Just finished these two belts for our local craft Co-Op. Both patterns were made by the same stamp used differently. This stamp came with some Saddlers tools which belonged to a Saddler who came from England over 100 years ago. The stamp is an Osborne one. Can anyone date it for me? I believe it was used on the winkers of bridles.

My engineer Husband has just bought me a dead blow hammer for use with some of the bigger 3D stamps. It is made of some rubbery plastic material and has lead shot inside the head so doesnt bounce. This one is a 16oz with a 2lb hit but they come in heavier sizes. It is perfect for stamping, punching and all manner of other leather work options - wont burr your tools, is light to use and cheap. Have a look in an Engineering supply shop.

Looking for a supplier of bulk brass and NP Chicago Screws. Preferably in assorted packets.