bikermutt07

Call Springfield Leather Company.

Again I am humbled by the craftsmen here. I was so proud of my wallet. Ha!

Ha, cheers guys.

The leather is cool, and you did a great job. I like the pockets.

Sorrell sells lasts now.

Any of the patterned leathers are splits. Like pebble grain, or alligator patterns.

Here is my almost finished wallet. It actually fits stuff inside it. I still need to finish the edges, bit I have already started using it. This build was out of necessity. Enjoy. I will give my overall review breakdown in a couple of days. Critiques are welcome as I am always learning. One of the main reasons for this tutorial was to force myself to slow down. I hope it helps some fellow newbs. Make sure and have fun.

Well, I finally made it back. My entire weekend had me married to a chainsaw. Don't ask. I was not going to go over the stitching very much. But, I am hoping (by showing my process) a pro will jump in and show me what adjustments to make. I just don't quite have that zig zag saddle stitch perfect yet. But, you can follow this part of the tutorial and I promise your wallet will hold together, or your money back. Let's get going. This is my pony. I have it fastened to an old nightstand. Why? Because I have a belly. I took the opportunity Friday night and finally glued some leather to it. Now we will start with our awl again. Make sure and keep the flat edge of the awl parallel to the edge of the wallet. Pull your first needle through the first hole at the bottom of the wallet. Even the the space between your needles. *Disclaimer* I really don't understand the left hand priorty jargon about the stitching. So, for the purposes here I will be saying outside and inside. This refers to the outside of the wallet and inside of the wallet. It seems I can only make one side look acceptable for the moment. Back to work. Start with the outside thread and push it through the next hole. Leave some slack on the outside of the wallet. I push this thread down into the bottom of the slot. Everytime. Now hold it down as you take the inside thread over the top through the hole. Notice how I hold the outside thread down and out of the way with my pinkys. As you get the inside thread to the outside, tug the outside thread back a little to make sure you haven't pierced it with the inside needle. Now slowly pull both threads taught simultaneously. I pull the thread coming to the outside up and the thread going to the inside down, like this: Make sure you don't knot your threads together. Now, continue stitching. Try to work towards stabbing the awl even depths throughout the piece. I read somewhere here that if you stab the awk different depths it will make the stitches look uneven. Also, be careful when sticking the awl through the leather and make sure to keep your inside and outside stitches lined up. When I get to the last three holes I make the holes a little wider to help with the backstitching. (This may be incorrect). I don't really have a procedure to share on the backstitching. Just try to make the stitches fall on top of each other. Then snip the threads off with a tiny bit hanging out. Maybe an eighth of an inch. Then singe with a lighter. Now repeat the process for the other side.

That's a beautiful belt. I can't seem to get that much zig zag in my stitching no matter how much I try. Captquirk, dip dyeing isn't really any harder than it sounds. Just dip it in for a few seconds and pat it dry. Then lay it flat or hang it up. With straps or belts I've read it's better to lay them flat because the dye will migrate a little.

Wow! That was some super elegant gibberish to my ears. I didn't have any idea what you were talking about, but I get your meaning. Thanks.

Told ya I was a newbie. Maybe I'll try the blue market........ DANG IT!!!

Mr. Dwight, is this time frame on a hand sewn hand burnished belt? If so, that is some really fast work.

Well, I don't know. I haven't done it yet. Although, as a hobbyist I don't count the time. It's all about relaxing fun for me.

I'll sell it on the black market to the Mongolian Pleather Purse Guild. Muhahahahah!!!!

Good job.

It wouldn't be too difficult. I haven't made one myself yet. It seems I couldn't get my wooden strap cutter to cooperate last time I tried. Then again, I did by some new blades awhile back....... Maybe that will be my next project. Check out jls leather, I believe he has a free measurement guide pdf file on his site.

Sounds like you got it. Check out "be a hero" video by Kevin at Springfield Leather. It may help a little.

I don't know. I have tried to search for that stuff and can't find it either.

Art, how do these steels hold up to the liquid nitrogen treatment?

I'm excited.

I love it when I see a guy with a problem, and he just says I'll make it myself. That's American Greatness right there, folks.

I'm no expert but I've done a lot of reading here. Some people apply a light coat of neatsfoot oil. Then let it soak in for 24 hours. Some people use the Aussie stuff. Some people do nothing at all. Rehydrating the leather can soften it up. So, some folks don't do it for wet molded items. Lots of different procedures in leather work are performed with numerous different methods. So, trial and error become a part of life starting out. I would suggest a light coat of neatsfoot oil. Then let it set up for a day or two before you continue any finishing/sealing work. But, I'm no expert.

I'll take it. Just pm me for the shipping. And thanks.

Did you watch the how to rip off a saddleback bag? Dave is pretty funny. That video shows them inserting the polyester in all the lashing and strap points.