bikermutt07

You will find denatured alcohol in a paint department. You will find rubbing/isobuterol alcohol in a pharmacy department. I had no luck with the isobuterol, although what I used was pretty old.

Well, that was a tease. Nice job on the template.

I'm a newbie, no expert. Just about anything you put on it will darken it a little. I suggest a light coat of neatsfoot oil and then tankote or resolene. It won't darken much. Experts, feel free to correct me on this.

Great job.

Very cool.

Annnnd, you're awesome.

This sounds like years of experience talking.

Very sorry for your loss. There is no pain like losing your child. I watched the pain my parents suffered after losing my oldest brother. The pain never ever goes away. In 2014 my wife and I had our second son Eddie. We never got to bring him home. He lived here for only two weeks, but he totally changed our lives. My wife, being an art teacher was inspired in so many ways once the grief subsided a little. She launched a Be a Gift program to inspire folks to be organ donors. When I came to the conclusion that I would have to start moving again, I picked up leather crafting. You know, just to get my hands moving again. I think a lot about him in the quiet while I hand stitch my little hobby projects. I was "fortunate" enough in my life to see the choices my father had made in his grief. I was able to steer myself in a different direction after seeing his experience. I don't judge my father for his choices, I just made different ones. On the 15th, it will be Eddie's 2nd birthday. I suppose this is why I ramble. Sorry, back on topic. Everyone in my house knows they are loved. God bless you.

Well thank God the fish made it.

All I can tell you is the continuous polyester filament thread is supposed to be really tough. They use it for sail boat sails. So, that's something. Tiger thread is one such thread but I hear it's not easy to get your hands on in the states. However, slam bond thread is supposed to be comparable and available in the states. I believe it's less expensive being made domestically. Sorry, that's all I got. I'll be watching this "thread" for more knowledge myself.

I didn't even know they had walnut. I learn something new everyday here.

Watching with interest....

I'm pretty sure I know what splits are, but how do you utilise them?

Looks great.

Welcome back to the fun.

The second set is a cut above the first one. I was kind of on the fence with the first one having the not finished tooling look to it. However, the the way you blended the color around the pieces really makes the tooling pop. I like your style. And the stitching? Man, flawless. Great job. You guys always seem to set the bar higher and higher. Gives me goals to work towards.

Cool story, and enjoy your retirement.

Watching...

Wow, maybe I need some classes.

Nifty. Gives me an idea for the wife. Maybe ill make her a puppy purse. She would love that.

Thanks.

I have done this once. You cut a notch out the width of the bag on each side. If the bag is 4 inches deep you would cut a notch out of the center on each side of the bag. Find the center and go 2 inches each way minus your stitch line. Then measure in from the sides 2 inches minus your stitch line. Stitch down each side of the bag (inside out). This will create a 90 degree corner at the his gussets. Then pinch your center line towards the side stitching. This is when you find out you don't possess enough arms. Stitch the tees together, then turn the bag right side out. I found out the hard way it's much tougher to turn out if the bag is taller than the width. Though I was using pretty thick leather. I have only done this once, so use caution on the laying out. It will kind explain itself as you go. I was able to figure out the layout by watching a Leodis video. He didn't provide any dimensions, I just saw the shape and then the carpenter in me took it from there. Here's a pic of how mine turned out. Not extremely even but ok for a first try. Good luck and have fun.

Have a great trip. My parents are in Montana right now. They go every summer.

Great job. What thickness of leather would you use for this?

Holy bat leather!!!