Dan28

Wanted a small easy "extra" gift to give to some of those that aren't getting elaborate bags. So I decided to make a little belt pouch that can be used for small items when out hunting or hiking. The first one I made is about 5 inches wide, decided to add an inch on the second two. All are slightly different colors of Fiebings oil dye, walnut, dark brown, and Spanish brown. Finished with 3 coats of Resolene/water at a 50-50 mix. Got a little bit of Resolene build up on the belt clip. I tried different ideas on the interiors, ie putting trying to leave one completely plain, putting a small boarder of dye on one, and dyeing one completely.

Looks nice to me. I hope the gun fits nicely. I've only made two holsters, both for myself and rather plain, but I don't think I could have gotten them to work if I didn't have the pistol in hand to do it.

I'd like to see more pictures because it looks really cool.

I get yelled at all the time for not using coasters. Don't know if I'd use those either, I'd probably set my glass down on the table and then pick up the coaster and admire it instead. Carving and stamping is something I plan on trying myself a little more after Christmas. I've not had the nerve to try it other than simple boarders on the pieces I was making for fear of ruining them.

I think its a pretty cool idea, and executed well.

I did not hand craft that... I have the same initials and get called D.W. at times. I have to agree with the others about the design, I've never seen anything like that. I made one wallet when I started, it didn't turn out too well, so I haven't tried another.

One of these days, I'm going to try some Horween. I like being able to dye my leather, because I don't always know what color I want a project till I start it.

Its smaller than most of the bags I've made. I don't recall the exact dimensions but roughly 10 1/2 inches tall by about 9 inches wide and about 3 inches deep. When I was thinking it up, I figured I wanted it big enough to hold an iPad and a few other items. I didn't make a pattern, just put the ruler down on the leather and drew it out there. The strap is 1 inch wide and long at least 60 inches between it's two pieces so it can be worn cross body at the waist. I think the flap took me around an hour to sew. The pig skin was already glued and it is 5 oz leather so it went pretty quickly. The strap on the other hand, took quite a bit longer. I didn't clock it, but I would say it was probably about 5 hours or more to stitch it. I had not made anything for a few weeks and it was a shock to my fingers to start sewing for long periods of time again. They were a little tender the next day, but recovered quickly.

Thanks guys. I should say all but the strap was quick. Even though the strap is just pretty plain it took a while to hand stitch it, I always laminate two pieces of leather for my straps so I will have skin on both sides. I kind of dislike doing straps, even with a strap cutter they can get on my nerves.

Just a simple bag I made, using stuff I had on hand.

It definitely is. However it comes with less stress of trying to figure out what somebody "wants or needs" and I'm a notorious procrastinator who hates shopping. Doing this, forced me to start early, as most of the stuff I was doing was taking me about a week a piece (that is fitting it in around my normal schedule). Basically I'm done just about done now. Everybody should like what they get, and they'll see the time I put into each gift. Its possible after the new year, I might remake some of the items I've already made and sell them. Some people at work have inquired about it.

Got the same bug. I guess I'm about 5 months in, and have probably already spent $1500 to $2000 on leather and pig skin alone. I've also bought a lot of hardware and supplies that is probably at least a couple hundred in drings, rivets, buckles etc. I don't have a ton of tools, but I have begun expanding my collection and they are generally not cheap. Then there is stuff like a powder coating gun, powders, and small toaster oven I bought because I wanted different color hardware. When I started, I wanted to make a heavy belt, a holster and possibly a messenger bag. I'm probably in at least $4000 myself and I'm not selling anything. A lot of my costs came because I decided to make all my Christmas presents this year.

That belt looks functional and good to me. My carry belt is probably 15 to 16 oz (laminate of 9-10 and 5-6) but very flexible. It was the first leather item I made. I also like the 3/4 inch spacing of the holes. I started with 7 holes, needing the variety because I use the belt with both Inside the waistband and outside the waistband holsters (Colt 1911 Govt model full 5" barrel) also with tucked and untucked shirts. I am probably up to 10 holes on it now and it may be time to make a shorter belt since I am probably ready to punch an 11th hole to tighten it up on me. I've lost a lot of weight since I made it and went down several pant sizes.

Pretty cool. I really want to get a CNC machine, but I don't have the space for it right now, (in an apartment).

I've been showing them off to a few friends and coworkers who already want one, with their little custom changes like different colors or longer handles. They ask me if I'm going to start selling them, but I tell them I would have no idea what to charge, as I don't even know what the materials broken down out of whole sides etc would be. I thought these totes would be quicker to do than some of my other bags, but they took longer than I expected. Stitching in the middle of two pieces instead of close to an edge really slowed me down on my stitching, also the handles seemed to take longer for me to stitch than say a strap of equal length. I'm estimating the green bag took me around 25 to 30 hours start to finish, and the red maybe the same, even though the planning and parts of it went much faster, the way I chose to sew it slowed me down. It is also slightly bigger with longer handles so longer stitching lines.