YinTx

First! Fantastic, totally unique look, and a good one at that. I like everything about this. Now, to put some leather in the bottom of those holders.... That basketweave came out awesome, even going around so many things! YinTx

Wow, would like to see the original card sleeve to understand how it got destroyed in less than a year! Good job on the new one. YinTx

Just some thoughts since you are just starting. You may discover you don't like to hand stitch. It is slow going, and frustrating to begin with until you get it figured out. Videos are free on how to stitch by hand, and plentiful, which could save you buying the book for now. You may find you like 0.6mm thread better. Many people sell small lengths (25 yards or so) for $6 or less plus shipping, might be a way to go before you commit to 500 yards of thread and decide you want a different size. Or material. ( I have a lot of Tiger, but find I mostly stitch with linen) Mostly, don't recommend cheap thread. It is the least expensive component of hand stitching, time you put into it is worth more than any savings you might get with the 3 foot of thread you use on a project. Don't spend money on a stitching groover just yet. It isn't necessary at all, and many advice against it. If you discover as you go along that you really want to have your stitches sunken into the leather, then go ahead and get one. You can make a decent stitch without expensive irons. Once you decide you like to hand stitch, then do some research on the dozens of irons available, pick it then. Awls: I have an Osborne, never use it. Used a cheap Tandy awl more. Don't like it that much either, but it worked fine to start. Most important is that it is sharp and well stropped, something you will have a hard time finding, so will have to learn to do it yourself. Flat blade is the style you need to start, not the round one. You also need a set of dividers to mark your line. Alternatively, you can use a scratch awl and a ruler, but dividers are easier. Once you get into it, you'll have a better idea of what you want. My thoughts are not to go all in high dollar to start, then get the tools that best fit your style that you develop. YinTx

Agreed. annoyed. But as Roland says... "the world has moved on. We have forgotten the face of our fathers." YinTx

Awesome, glad to hear they made it in good shape! YinTx

This day and age, I'd be figuring it was a fishing call looking for details to make false charges. Unless I was really sure that was the hospital's phone number that I had just called, and I knew already what the service was for. No one has problems charging money, but when the situation is reversed... they can't say nuthin cuz of company policy etc. Bogus. Personally, pay me check, cash or paypal. I don't want the liability of having your personal info, thanks. If I need your number to call when your item is done, that's about all I'll ask for. YinTx

Yeah, no. Miffs me too. I buy something at the store, they want my number. Why? I tell the cashier I don't have one. Confuses the crap out of them. "You don't have a phone??!" Seriously, I need a phone to buy a screwdriver? Are you kidding me? And yeah, everyone just hands it over like no problem. What no one gets is the store buys info from the credit card company crossed with info from the cell phone, and use it for "targeted advertising" along with other things. No thanks, my info is not for you to buy and sell. Enough folks do it to me already without my consent. Get to the tax office to register a car title after moving. They want a phone number, the form says "optional." So I leave it. Person at the computer doesn't know what to do, has to get a manager, who insists. I say, hey, it says optional, I don't have a number for you. She says "You don't have a friend's number you can give me?" I'm like, really? I should just be giving out my friend's phone numbers without their permission to random places? She says "How are we supposed to contact you if there's a problem?" and "we can't take a check with out a phone number." Uhm, you had no problem sending this bill to me in the mail, right? Contact me that way. And here's some cash. They finally relented, but decided they needed to see the original wedding certificate. Are you kidding. YinTx

Not sure if it matches the model 60 for sale here: YinTx

Lots of stuff with all kinds of leather on this forum. Variety is inspirational. Awesome work you do! YinTx

Not sure what image, but if you can, go for it. I may even have you make something for me as well! I need to replace a brass bushing where the rod goes through the case, would have thought it a simple thing, but apparently... no. I would have thought bushings are a wearing part and would be readily available! YinTx

Impressive! I was wondering how you decided to do the center...I have a request for one of these, and have been mulling the design in my head for some time now. YinTx

Thanks for that lead. Do you know if they carry parts for Techsew? I have had no luck from the OEM supplier getting parts. They tell me they'll look, I give them the info, then never hear back. YinTx

6578 6579, 2003, 2006, 2021, 2066, and 2063 are sold. 2055, 6577, 2004, 2005, and 2019 remain. I suspect the postage to Western Australia will be significant, but if you PM me an address or a city at least, I will try to find out what it would be. Thanks, YinTx

I think your wallet came out awesome. Looking at the backside of your stitching, I don't think your thread is too thin. Possible one leather has a different temper than the other, and results in the tension showing differently on each side. Front side looks fine, maybe less tension on the front would help keep the holes from appearing oversized. YinTx

Very cool. Any pics of the inside? YinTx

I'd say you have some street cred with that photo! YinTx

Thanks! Thank you battlemunky! Appreciate that! This was the last iteration of a design I had come up with on my own, based on some other floral work I had seen. Took some pointers from folks here to get this version! Thread is an interesting thing, for me anyhow. Different brands, different sizes, different materials of construction, and different winding techniques give different results. This is probably the only Chinese thread I have used that I find acceptable. There may be others, just that I haven't used them yet! Most of the threads that you can finish off with flame are synthetic threads with polyethylene or nylon, one will flare up and stay burning fast the other usually needs to have a flame on it continuous to burn/melt. Linen threads don't melt, but they will burn, like a cotton, since they are made from the fibers of flax plants. The more you use different types, the more you will discover what fits your style the best! Thank you. The border is done with a push beader, some folks make it look simple, it has taken me a lot of ruined pieces just to learn how to get it to come out halfway decent! YinTx

I think you will find they only replaced the name to avoid confusion. My understanding is the Pro dye and the Oil dye are one and the same. They both work very well. The regular dye has a different pigment base, and results in rub off that you don't get with the Pro or Oil dye. These are generally more expensive and much better dyes in my experience. YinTx

PM sent. PM sent. YinTx

And they seem to be forgetting the time put into making sure you get the piece the size you need, and the time to search it out and then cut it up for you and then ship it. So much cheaper and easier for them to just send you a side. All that other service is an adder, shouldn't mind paying for it if that is what you want/need! YinTx

Here are individual images of each to give you a better idea. I think I got them all. YinTx

I like them. Is that a clef in the tree? YinTx

I have some discontinued craftaids for sale. They are open, copywrited frome 1978, 1980 and 1997 and show their age, but appear nearly un-used and in good condition. I have two lots, and have some difficulty finding what they are worth, since I can not find all but two of them online to compare to. The first set is traditional style. The numbers are: 2055, 2063, 6577, 6578 and 6579. I would like to get $10 each plus shipping. They will come in the sleeves shown. The second set I have never seen anywhere else, doesn't mean they aren't there, just means I haven't seen them. I may put them on Ebay to gauge their worth, but here is a photo in case someone is interested, or can tell me the value. Numbers are 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2019, 2021, and 2066

@VYO, thank you. @Sheilajeanne, certainly not the first flower I've tooled (or drawn) but the first flower I have drawn myself that I've been happy with! I had a separate post in Critique my work where I asked for pointers to draw and tool floral work, and this is the result. Thanks for the compliment! YinTx

Looks like your PM box is full. I did send you an email. Interested in the templates! YinTx