ferret

Here's how I would do it 1. cut out pattern in paper 2.cut out another pattern 1/4" larger on each side to allow for shrinkage (this is just a guestimate, varies with size and thickness of leather). 3. Cut leather to larger pattern. 4.Dip in hot (not boiling) water for a few seconds then form shape and allow to dry. 5. When dry use first pattern to see if it needs trimming down. 6. Experiment with dye on offcuts till you get the colour you want then dye. 7. Make holes and attach rivets/eyelets/D-rings etc. 8. Apply sealant

Putting a lining in items that will be curved in use can cause puckering and bulking if they are attached when flat. My way of avoiding this is to wrap the lining around a cylinder (usually a bottle), then attatch the top piece with rubber solution. This will hold it while you stitch and trim the lining.

Have a good one

Results of using various methods to cut fringe in soft leather and suede 1) utiliyt knife and steel rule:- leather stretches and doesn't always cut through on one pass, strands uneven and looks crap. 2) rotary knife and steel rule:- leather stretches and doesn't cut as well as the utility knife, strands uneven and looks crap and smells of cheese (maybe I should have washed the knife after using it on the pizza). 3) head knife and steel rule:- leather stretches but cuts on one pass,still uneven and looks crap. 4) jerry stripper:- leather stretches but cuts ok, still uneven and crap but much quicker. 5) get someone else to do it (a friend who knows nothing about leatherwork and uses housold scissors):- no stretch, even strands.

No need to buy a book, there's a good tutorial here .

Leatherwork manual is good for newbies, it's got a pattern for a wallet and lacing instuctions (with pics)

Looks like le prevo is still the best option.

We've had a few inches of snow this week, it closed down half the country. News report For some reason the authorities are always surprised if it gets cold in winter.

there are some tutorials here (adult site)

Can't say I know a lot about economics, but then neither do the useless at westminster. Giving taxpayers money back to the taxpayers, so they can spend it to stimulate the economy may not work, but it's worth a try. Over here future generations will be paying taxes to pay for the bailout of the bankers that got us into this mess.

There's no formula I can find, theres an article here but it doesn't give exact measurements for the finished article.

Depends on the thickness of the leather and the width, it can vary from 1 1/2 to twice the length of the finished article. For the example you've given cut an 11" strap, make 2 slits 7 1/2" and braid it. Measure the braid, if it's the right length cut off the excess strap, if it's too short undo the braid and make the slits longer.

I had that happen a few times just before my hard drive crashed. May just be coincedence but it would be a good idea to make a backup of important stuff just in case.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/home/de...ature=Product_3

nice work, I'd like to see a tutorial

Hi Tony. If you go to the pslac website and download july 96 rawhide gazette there's an article on making head knives from old cirular saw blades. I tried it and it works. Can't tell you what the best angle is, I just guessed and got lucky, I tempered the edge with a blowlamp and that seems to work, it holds an edge well and I can skive 1oz goat with it. think it cost me around £1 ($1.40) and a days work.

Hi carrie, welcome to the forum. If you're going to be doing a lot of sewing then Al Stohlman's book "art of hand sewing leather" would be a good investment, tandy uk or the identity store are selling it cheap(ish). You'll need a good sharp knife (a stanley knife will do to start), a steel rule and a cutting board. Use the forum search for info on dog collars, then check this section. Read the disclaimer on the main page. If that doesn't put you off I've got some bits of suede you can have.

Don't be fooled, Obama is an interstellar alien with a secret mind control device ! I watched the speech and started getting feelings of hope and I gave up on that when the mad cow thatcher became prime minister. Anyone got a pattern for bevearslayers tinfoil hat?

It combines the speed of hand stitching and the weakness of lockstitch, then clutters up your toolbox. Overall a waste of time and money.

right click on the icon and select extract

most fonts come zipped, did you remeber to extract them?

Wye aye man, welcome to the forum. Nice work, what thickness leather did you use?

Maybe I'm being old fashioned, but when I bookmark a web page I expect the link to take me back to the page. Being redirected to an interrogation page that tries to send me to the UK website is just annoying.

Lemon juice is good for removing water splotches and mould marks, alchohol will clean up those "invisible" fingermarks that don't show until you put the stain on.

There are free plans here for anyone handy at woodwork.