JAZZMAN

Hey verus this is truly beautiful work, it turns an ordinary belt into something truly special, how did you mark it out and draw the design please? Is the belt lined, can we have a pic of the back please?

Hi jiri, check out hidepounders tutorial on edge finishing, his edges are incredible. Hope it helps. As mentioned above, when i mentioned lining the piece i was not really meaning with cloth, more something like pigskin. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=18101

I always worry about responding to people who have asked for opinions about items they have made and hope that anything i say comes across as trying to be helpful rather than critcicism for the sake of being mean. So here goes, i think this is a perfectly nice item you have made first of. As you have asked if it is up to selling standard i would say that it could be improved upon in thre ways.(1) It would be nicer if it was lined inside, but that is only ny opinion of course.(2)From what i can see on the photo it appears that the edges have not been burnished, sorry if i am incorrect, you might even consider turned edges.(3)While your stitching is fine, it might benefit from a more trsditional slanting type saddle stitch, i am not sure how you have marked your stitching out, but i would say it would be more appealing if it had that slanted look. All this is subjective and merely my own opinion, but as you did ask i assumed you wanted honesty so that is what i have given you. Please do not take offence as i really am trying to help. I am no expert myself just a hobbiest so my opinions are just that.

Sorry Chelsea, i know nothing about sewing machines as i hand stitch everything, i could not help but tell you how fantastic your shoes look though.

Hello Walesy, and welcome to the forum, in my opinion you will need to buy a lot of other tools before a sewing machine unless that is what you really want, most of the items you say you want to make can be hand stitched, and remember a hand stitched saddle stitch is actually a stronger stitch than the hook stich of a sewing machine, do you already have all the other leatherworking tools?Here is a link to a video by master leather craftsman Nigel Armitage for some inspiration, he also has many other fantastic videos on you tube about hand stitching, now do not get me wrong i am not saying there is anything wrong with sewing machines for leatherworking, just that is is not the only way. In my own opinion if hand stitching is good enough for Nigel then it is good enough for me. I do not know a lot about sewing machines but i do know that you cannot use an ordinary domestic type, you need a much more heavy duty type and they do not come cheap.

This is fantastic, is the nose wetmoulded over a wood last like when i do pouches and the like, please post pics of the finished bag, please, please ,pretty please.

Sorry about that Rooster, this is what i meant to post.

Please could you post some pics so we can all learn from this if that is ok with you, i can offer no advice as i too have never worked with webbing either, but i would like to learn how. Thanks.

I too learnt this lesson the hard way, contact cement i a great product sadly sometimes that can work against you, i really do not think there is any way to get round this one, so sorry.

Hi rooster, and i know this is not quite what you asked for, but have you thought abut getting one of these, Nigel says it fits on a half inch shaft and it looks pretty good, i have heard good things about these.

Hi yin, you might want to try emailing Nigel Armitage about this, i know on some of his review videos he mentions polishing his pricking irons, he has always helped me out in the past.

WOW,WOW,and WOW again, josie your animal accessories are breathtaking , i have never seen such beautiful and imaginative dog and cat collars, animal owners must be knocking your door down to own them, i am so glad you have joined the forum you are an inspiration to someone like me who has only just started out on my journey into the world of leathercraft. Thank you for the inspiration, i hope you post a tutorial of how you create these amazing works of art, your familly must be very proud to have such a wonderful artistic spirit as a daughter, take care , hope to talk again real soon. Peace.

Hi Phillip, not entirely sure i understand your problem, but i do know that someone on here advised using craft felt instead of paper for mock ups, although not exactly like leather it behaves more like leather than paper and staples, you can glue the pieces together rather than stapling. Can you post a picture of the problem, i am not very experienced in leatherwork but have made bags with gussets and so might be able to help, here is a picture of a bag with a gusset i made my wife recently, both front and back pieces were cut from the same template, but i might be misunderstanding your problem. http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?app=gallery&album=2647

Mark this really does look quite nice, very luxurious looking leather, some people would cahrge a lot of money for such an item, great work.

Thanks Avion, i will add that stamp to my next tandy order, just debating whether or not to join their elite club for cheaper prices.

Thank you Avion for taking the time to reply to my post, i have looked them up on tandy, i think it might be a E294-03 Craftool Stamping Tool , is this correct?, it would be great if you could tell me as i fancy having a go at this design if you do not mind me pinching your idea, i am quite new to leathercraft and need all the ideas and inspiration i can get, thanks again for the help. Take care.

Hello mrs Ogre, here are a couple of you tube links yo might find interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP0BfZcZ4vU Sorry if you have seen them already, or they are not what you were after, i too am also in the market for an airbrush mainly just for creative dyeing rather than any intricate artwork, what kind of spraying were you hoping to do with it? Oh and it is nice to see someone else on here from the UK.

I love this bag, i am currently making my wife a similar type bag, you have given me some good ideas, thanks.

Avion , this is incredible for your first belt, the way you have used those simple stamps to get such a nice looking design is an inspiration, i wish i could see the border work better to see what you did there, maybe a closer picture please?

I can think of nothing better than cruising along those roads on that bike, take care my friend and ride safe.