DJ1935

Some time ago I was asked to make some belts for a our local Museum souvenir shop. The Museum is centred around the Scottish settlers who arrived in the area over a Century ago so the request was for belts with a Scotch Thistle. I searched high and low for a stamp to no avail, so put a request on the leatherworker.net. This request was answered by Indybear who offered to draw up and make a stamp to our requirements. I would like to take this opportunity to thank John for his wonderful work, patience and help. If you are wanting a stamp made I throughly recommend Indybear. This is the first belt with the Thistle Stamp incorporated into the design.

Bet he would have been a whole lot faster if the sauce had landed on the tail end! Good luck with the clean up - and the culinery delights.

Just wondering if the cat is still alive?!

Hi UkRay Some time ago we purchased this Pearson for our working Museum. At the time we were looking for a No 6 but they rarely come up for sale and we were quite excited when we saw this one on TradeMe. It duely arrived and it was then we realised it was a bit different than a No 6 and is actually a No 2. However it sewed beautifully and that was all we wanted, albeit in only one stitch length. I contacted the previous owner for some history on the machine which we could display with it. This led to a trail of amazing facts and history of this machine's life. This machine was shipped from England to the Wisp Run near Owaka in the Catlins River area, South Otago, South Island. Bought by James Brugh in 1857 "The Wisp" was developed into a sheep and cattle station of 38,000 acres. Riding and draught horses were used for all work on the station and this sewing machine handled repairs to the harness', saddles, wool bales , probably the shearers moleskins too. Being 40km horse ride from the nearest town through hilly bush country the station had to be totally self sufficient. The Pearson would have been hauled by Bullock team to the farm and was put to work in the woolshed. Some forty years later a bushfire swept through the area and the woolshed was burnt to the ground. This probably explains why the stand is warped in some places and has no paint left on it, there are traces of soot in the joins. Possibly the complete head, or parts of it have been replaced as a consequence of the fire. The number on the head is #5937. When Wisp went out of draught horse power the machine was sold to a local farmer who used it to repair haystack covers. The machine was then sold to a Western saddle maker from whom we bought it. The long 18" arm was a special order for customers. Generally used by gig builders for sewing splashboards or by trunk makers. The machine sews up to 400 stitches per minute and can handle up to ¾ inch thick leather. Head and stand weigh 244 lbs and when new cost ₤20 (a stockman working on Wisp in 1860 received ₤60 a year).

Hi Jordan I found some similar photos on an Antique Sale site last year. Fortunately the shop had the presence of mind to include the dimensions of the Stitching Horse as well. Armed with all this info I trotted off to a Joiner friend - who is quite used to me turning up with unusual requests but I think this one took the cake! After much muttering into his beard he turned up with the wooden bits. My Husband made the brass swivel for the foot pedal and the ratchet etc. A spring was "borrowed" from an old seat out of our 1935 Dodge and I made up the belt. The timber is New Zealand Kauri, the jaws are made from Norfolk Pine. I applied two coats of Danish oil and beeswax. The timber work cost around $600NZ - alot less than getting an antique shipped here! It has just about paid for itself already and is a great talking point in the workshop. Best wishes with your wood work DJ

Thanks Trevor, will keep an eye out for NZ Leather Supplies Ltd, and any other firms who might pick up the ball and run with it. I had considered purchasing hides from Australia - the cost of the hide whilst initially cheap would more than double with the cost of postage. Did manage to purchase a couple of sides of Skirt and some Cullotta but couldnt find any more socks burried in the garden to fund more! Would be interested in seeing the photos of the Tannery. Early in the 1980's I scrounged a ride to Auckland with a friend who drove for United Carriers. We took a load of hides from Moerewa to Sutherlands Tannery in Onehunga. Whilst they were unloading the truck, one of the tannery workers took me around for a tour of the tannery. It was something I will always remember and well worth getting up at 2am for! Keep up the good work Cheers DJ

Nice work, Trevor, look forward to seeing more from "way down under"! Speaking of which where are we going to buy vegetanned leather from now that Astleys have closed down? For those not in the know New Zealand has just lost its' last and only Tannery (over 100 years in business) which tanned vegetanned leather. A real big loss to those relying on Russet etc.

After a long gestation and difficult birth here is my first knife sheath! With many thanks to the guys who offered suggestions and help.

Brilliant, thank you everyone, very much appreciated. Will let you know how I get on.

Hi Trevor, Believe it or not we're just up the road in Whangarei! Small world. Thanks for the help, it was the length of sheath at the handle I was most concerned about. Some pics would be a great help. Cheers DJ

Sure, here it is

I have a Pig Hunting knife to make a sheath for. The knife is around 10 inches long overall, has a straight blade but the handle is curved back. It will hang from a 2" belt and be worn in dense bush. What would be the best design for a sheath for such an unsual shape of knife?

I had a horrible thought that might be the case. Probably too much of an outlay for a few belts but will do some enquiries with some stamp makers. Thank you.

Have been asked to make some belts with a Scottish theme. Has anyone come across a Scotch Thistle flower stamp in their travels?

Guess there'll be a few chuckles at my expense but here goes. I have always purchased sides and cutting them is easy - long ways for belts, bridles etc. Recently I purchased two double backs of russet. Having spread one on the floor I am now at a loss as to which way to cut it. The waves or wrinkles run north to south along the longest part of the hide (the logical way to cut it I would have thought) but running east/west about in the centre is a "road" of grain. If this is the backbone then do I cut this way? If this is so then the longest strap gained would be about 39" - too short for most belts. Cheers DJ

Thanks, tried Lefflers they dont have the 3/0's which are much heavier than the No 3. DJ

Hi Mike Have you purchased anything from Bowstock? I have emailed them twice asking if they have the needles in stock and have received nothing in reply. I dont want the same to happen with my hard earned cash! Thanks DJ

Can someone please tell me where I can purchase some John James 3/0 Heavy Harness Needles (62mm long). I have tried Bowstock and Entaco in the UK but they havent replied to my emails. Cheers DJ

Thank you all for your comments and help. I realised later (isnt that always the way!) that I should have asked if there was a formula for calculating costings. Thank you John for making life easier already! The belt was stitched on the reliable old Pearson No 6 then the buckle stitched on by hand. I've never liked using rapid rivets, guess they're ok in some applications. Cheers DJ

Hello from New Zealand! I enjoy reading the topics on this site and have found it a great source, not only of leatherwork information but an insight into life in other countries as well. Great stuff, keep up the good work! I have fiddled about with leather since the 1970s with a lull in between but have got back into it in the past few years. Picked up the courage to make a leather lined belt which I finished yesterday. Was really pleased with the way it came out. Can someone advise me what price would a belt like this cost? I have real trouble pricing my stuff - always too low so I'm told. Cheers DJ

Seasons greetings to all. Have been asked if I can make a steering wheel cover for a Kenworth Truck as the driver finds the wheel too skinny and uncomfortable. This is a bit off my line of work but always up for a challenge! The cover would have to be soft, tight on the wheel and somehow fixed. Any suggestions? Regards DJ

Hi Greg Thanks for your reply, the silence was almost deafening - as a beginner here I wasnt sure if I'd done something wrong. We also have a No 6 without a stand #10647 which an old ex sewing machine mechanic here reckons would be circa 1910 (but "experts" have been known to be wrong!). It is vastly different from the #6892 in some components and has different threaded screws. Which all started us wondering about dates and years and "improvements" along the way. There must be some info out there somewhere. We also have a Pearson A2 with 18 inch long head. This one is #5937 with stand and we know enough of the history to pin point it to 1857-60. But the head (or parts) may have been replaced due to it being burnt in a fire about 50 years later. Regards DJ

We have just purchased another Pearson No 6 and were wondering if anyone can help with dating these machines. This one has the serial # 6892. Would really appreciate any information.