BevJones

The twisted fringe is much better looking in person by the way. I used a spray bottle and wet it down on both sides so it was wet but not dripping. You then twist until it starts to twist on itself and then you pull down hard. Just let it go then and dry. Not hard, just time consuming. Fingers get sore so I just grab the end with a pair of needle nose and twist the pliers...has a better grip when pulling down as well.

Well, I'm finally getting some time to work on some things. Here is my first bridle and breast collar to go with the saddle I made and posted awhile back. Also my first pair of chinks. Have to work on getting the fringe line straighter. I used a rotary cutter and its hard to tell where it stops or starts. Think I will use a straight sharp blade with my ruler instead, but all in all, I was pretty pleased for a first timer.

I found someone in Oregon that has some. It is in 12" sections so you would have to sew about 3 sections together rather than 30+. Her name is Pati. Street Leathers of Oregon is her business. Tell her Bev Jones of DB Jones Saddlery sent you. Her number is (541) 535-1042. Her web address is www.streetleathersoforegon.com. Hope this helps. If you find bigger sections let us know.

Thank you all for the compliments and words of encouragement. Now I just have to find a sewing machine

I used a Bowden wood/rawhide tree. Ellensburg model. After all the research, I felt a wood/rawhide is the only way to go. My horses name is DB so I'm going to call the business DB Jones Saddlery. Hoping to get my website up this winter. Thanks for the compliment A Bowden Ellensburg wood/rawhide. The ralide in the background is what I used to form the stirrup fenders.

Our local Amish opened their shop to me for equipment and helped me when I was stuck. They were great and very helpful. They stopped me when they saw me moving in the wrong direction and would show me the best way to do things and then made me do it. I did not have the hand strength to push the awl through all those layers of cantle leather so they said I could use a drill. Four broken bits later, I finally finished it.

I just posted my first saddle. Yours looks great and it looks like we are both fans of Al Stohlman's books

Hi all. The future WI saddle maker finally made her first saddle. I'm pretty proud of it. I might add that my hands, wrists and chest muscles ache I posted in the show off section but figured that was the wrong spot for it so sorry if I'm being redundant. I put in a padded seat on a high cantle and I was real pleased with how it turned out.

Well, the Wisconsin future saddle maker from awhile back has finally become a saddle maker, albeit, a new one, but rather proud of my first saddle. It looks a bit blotchy as the oil is still soaking in.

Has anyone heard of this saddle maker. I have a friend asking. "I have a saddle that I am in the process of cleaning and when I say cleaning, I mean antique dirt. I was wondering if anyone would have info on this saddle. On the fenders it says John M Paul Rockford then on the rear jockey right behind the cantle it says 1924. It is tooled and I would say a youth saddle."

Hmmm, I'll have to check that out.....

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I will try to contact Ariat and Hobby Horse and see if I have any luck. If I do, I will let you know. I also like the heavy duty stretch Lycra idea and will check into that as well. Hancock Fabrics has ultra suede at 19.99 a yard. I'm going to look at it tomorrow to see if it is as good as Ultra Suede's brand which they quoted me as 79.00 a yard. Big price diff, well see about the quality. bev

I have tried the sewing shops. The elastic they carry stretches lengthwise. I need elastic that is long to follow the zipper down the leg, but it needs to stretch not down the leg (direction of zipper), but width wise, so if they gain weight and their thigh gets larger, the material will stretch (from front to back of thigh). Rather than cut many sections and sew together, I know they make elastic that will do this, but I can't find who sells it, period, let alone a small business.

Help. I have been asked by several people to make chaps in ultra suede as it is lighter for summer western pleasure show people. Secondly, they are asking for elastic inserts to be sewn in along the zipper to allow a better fit and some give. I am having trouble finding an ultra suede supplier. Any recommendations? Lastly, I can find elastic wide enough for the inserts, however it stretches the wrong way (waist to foot). I need something long to sew along the zipper length, but needs to stretch from thigh front to back. Would you call that a width wide stretch rather than a length stretch? Any help as to where I can find the ultra suede (found a supplier in WI for $79 a yard that is 55" wide) and especially elastic, would be helpful. Bev

Caledon Leather Sales has it too. They are on this site under the Suppliers. Click on the link and then select Supplies, scroll towards the bottom and you will find it.

Hi all, I have lost my history and friends list and I cannot remember the wonderful gentleman's name that is a saddlemaker in Spring Grove MN. (Sorry, I'm rather new and generally remember names) Mr. Spring Grove, you offered to let me come out sometime and teach me to fit saddle trees... Is the offer still open? Bev (future WI saddlemaker)

Bruce, Thanks for the info I will plan on reading up and visiting the sites you recommended. I'm really happy now that I did not win anything on ebay! Bev

My brother told me coca cola will remove rust off chrome. He uses that on cars. I wonder if the cream of tarter would have gotten to all the rust uner the plating. Bev

Welcome Jim, don't think you're going to corner the market on dumb questions now......I'm here too Bev

Thanks Dave, I will be in touch after the holidays. Oh....I have a bit that I plan to put in the headstall.....so I could call it a bridle, yes? (don't expect an answer to that one) Met some horse people from Winona today that know of you. Said your real nice and do beautiful work. Looking forward to meeting you. Have a nice holiday! Bev

David, Wow, this is great. I live in Black River Falls and work in La Crosse so this is doable How about we set a time up sometime after the holidays if that might work for you. I have a horse so I know a bit about fitting them, however, I know nothing about fitting the rider other than seat size. I have a Crates saddle with basket weave and I would like to make a bridle and breast collar to match it. Maybe that is what I will start with. I also need to figure out what tools to buy. I try to buy sets off Ebay but with no success. I try bidding during the last minute and always end up getting outbid. I'm afraid to go to high as I don't know what these tools are really worth. Do you sell tools or leather...or strictly saddles? Maybe you can recommend a reasonable place around here where I can go to buy tools and supplies? Maybe I can buy some scraps from you to do a bridle in?? Bev

Thanks all for the advice. I really appreciate it. My final goal is saddles, however, I have other goals to meet to get there and you are just the group to help me with advice on the steps to get there. I appreciate all your help. I have ordered all 3 volumes of Al's saddle making encyclopedia to read. My goals are to read those 3 volumes. I also intend to read other books I ordered so I can find out about Darc's recommendation on trees and fit, etc. I also will get some kits and work on some smaller items. After that I want to call Bill Gomer for his recommendation on what else I should have under my belt before asking him if I can sign up for 2 weeks with him making a saddle. I will also order Bill Gomer's sadlemaking DVD as well, not Dales, a bit pricey. Bev

Randy, Thanks for the tips. I have been looking at the schools and my head is swimming. They have them from 2 weeks to 2 years. Working full-time in healthcare, I could probably swing 3 weeks off at the most. Is a 3 week saddle course realistic? How long is Bill Gomers school?

Hi all, I am from Wisconsin and have a deep desire to build saddles and make tack. Pretty big goal as I have no leather working experience, but, one must start somewhere. Tired of painting and drawing and I have become too frustrated trying to fit my horse and myself. Should look to purchasing a custom saddle...... anyway, after many days of internet searching, I felt your site was the best to guide me. People seem friendly and knowledgable. I intend to purchase Harry Adams and Al Stohlman's books. Will also purchase Jeremiah Watts DVD and may even spring for Dale Harwoods one of these days. Will look to this group to recommend where to buy kits for beginning based on quality and not getting ripped off with prices. I believe you get what you pay for, but I know some charge too much. I am realistic and realize I will probably need to make many belts and checkbook covers.....anyone have any recommendations on what kits to start with? Bev