Tugadude

Very cool. I like the way it goes from flat to 3D with the beveling. BTW, don't know if you are in Hawaii, but if so, prayers to you and yours.

The collar looked very nice. My two cats are strictly indoor residents and they don't wear collars. Torties are almost exclusively female. Just an interesting trivia bit. Glad things are working out for your brother and the cat. Given a chance, a good cat will win your heart. And don't believe people when they say cats aren't affectionate. They are extremely affectionate, but generally on their own terms. Except for Alphie, who comes when I call him, and I think believes he is a dog.

What collar, I'm just digging the cat. My daughter has a Tortie, great cats.

Next post will show the exterior. Notice the backside of the un-dyed veg tan side of the wallet. I used a groover and it made the thread lay very flat, whereas there is a slight angle on the interior that is noticeable on the lighter shade of leather that had no groove.

To illustrate what I said about contrasting colors and also the effect that a stitching groove has on the way thread lays, I will show an old wallet I made several years ago. This was an attempt to make a moneyclip style, three pocket wallet. I used Tandy Craftool stitching chisel, the 2mm black-colored one. The thread is a waxed braided cord sold by Tandy. I believe they say it is approx. 1mm. If I were to make the same wallet today, I would line it, but at the time I didn't because I was trying to keep the thickness to a minimum. What I'd do now if just line the small part that is exposed and it would add nil to the overall thickness. I also used scrap leather, a small piece of veg tan along with some veg tan scraps that I "inherited" when I bought somebody's old tools off of Craigslist. The leather had some blemishes on it due to being stored with bottles of dye and such and I knew it wouldn't matter on my project as it was just a test. So I dyed it knowing the dark spots would shine through and sure enough, they did. I also would edge the leather and possibly Edge Kote it. Right now it is square and burnished, then treated with beeswax only. I did the un-dyed pocket really as a test to see how it looked. It isn't bad, but not sure I would do just one the next time. Might be better if both interior pockets matched. I also used a creaser on the top of the pockets. I'm a fan of creasing.

Agreed. I would also include contrasting colored thread into the mix. If you are working towards a better result, until you get there you should probably be using a color that doesn't stand out. Black leather and black thread. White on black is probably the worst offender and will highlight any inconsistency including stitch length, angle, dropped stitches, etc. Even highlights waviness in your stitching lines. When your stitching is spot-on, then you can feature it with contrasting colors. Just my $.02.

OK, take this as opinion because some have other thoughts but basically you never have to make a recessed groove. Yes, a groove allows the thread to recess and helps protect it from wear, but as I stated, English saddles approaching 100 years old exist and the stitching is remarkably intact. A groove will force the thread to resemble a straight machine stitch. Some like that look, I do not. I prefer the zig-zag look of proper saddle stitching. Just use wing dividers and leave a faint scratch. Sometimes I will use a creaser and leave a faint line, more of a shallow depression, that doesn't affect the thread. Again, Nigel demonstrates how to use dividers in his videos. Your stitching examples look good and I agree with your assessment regarding which looks better.

I don't do carving but I do add some "artistic" design elements to my work sometimes. I use google extensively for inspiration but I always frown upon direct copy. I'm not saying it is wrong, but as a personal choice, I don't do it. I think google or any search engine, yahoo, etc. are neither good nor bad. Anything has the potential to be used for good or bad and the function of a search engine can inspire one to create art or cause them to become a copy artist. It is up to the individual to choose which path to take.

I find it helpful to look at definitions. So I went to Merriam Webster and found the following: Definition of artist for English Language Learners : a person who creates art : a person who is skilled at drawing, painting, etc. : a skilled performer : a person who is very good at something So first, is leatherwork in the same league as drawing and painting? Personally, I would say yes, definitely! The second definition, a skilled performer doesn't really fit, but then again, I would argue that folks like Nigel Armitage on youtube qualify as a skilled performer. Watching Nigel and other popular youtubers is like watching an artist at work. At least to me. And thirdly, a person who is very good at something can apply to leatherworkers for sure. Now do I consider myself an artist? Although I believe I am good at certain aspects of leatherwork, I would not consider myself an artist. I am a little past beginner and solidly into intermediate ground. Lots of repetitions for me to make before I would even begin to claim artistry. My strength is in knowing what I like, being able to recognize things that can stand improvement and continuing to slug it out and improve despite myself sometimes. The other day I was looking at a post and saw someone's work and it just awed me. Made me feel a range emotions. That is truly art.

@Tugadude No worries, everything you see in this style has a meaning, the central 'sunburst' motif is a crown, either of feathers or leaves, symbolizing royalty, and so on and so forth. It's pretty interesting the more you learn about it. well, it is really good and evokes a feeling, so I would classify it as art.

OK, so I re-read the description and feel foolish. Hawaiian! Doh!

Absolutely love it. Well executed and unique pattern. Does that style have a name? For some reason it makes me want to travel to Fiji or Tahiti or somewhere like that...

Much better! As far as the cloth, did you use the seam tape that you iron in-between the fold? That seems to make my stuff look better although that isn't the issue you're asking about. Personally, I would never run the fabric all the way to the edge. Just begging for it to get torn up. So either hold it back a margin or cover it with a narrow strip of leather. Maybe on another style you could do a leather overlay on the spine and wrap it over the edge a bit? Lots of ways I'm sure to keep the lining looking sharp. Nice work!

Very nice indeed! Love the interior with the green color. It really makes the tan color pop. Very clean execution. And thanks for showing the inside, I always appreciate the thought folks put into it. Some don't have enough pockets and loops for my taste and some probably go overboard. Yours seems about right.

Gonna have to be big teeth to use that puppy. You'll just have to show me!

I have had a bottle of carnauba "change" over time but never completely separate. By change, I mean it seemed to lose a little of its creaminess and there was an odor to it. Not a bad odor, like spoiled milk, but definitely an odor. The odor does not linger after application. I also had a bottle of edge kote that developed a nasty smell. I suspect that many products may do this if you don't use them quickly.

Nice work and I love that quote. A simple piece needs a good cut, good edges, etc.. Even a simple key fob has to have sharp details. I like the thread color choice. Edges look good and the stitching very consistent, not always easy with croc.

Nicely done. I like repurposing and made a watch band out of an old ball glove, so I can appreciate what you came up with.

Now that is going to take a little more than an oxalic acid bath...

Well that is one classy, well thought out and executed clutch. Unique straps really add to the appeal. Stitching is marvelous and edging great. Thanks for sharing the journey!

As stated already, beautiful, clean work. Another example of it doesn't have to be complex to elicit the "wow" reaction that is being discussed in another thread right now. If you wanted, I'm sure you could solicit work like this from vintage motorcycle owners around the globe. Maybe there are many others that do this, but maybe not. I know someone that retrofits old bicycle saddles into rideable, beautiful pieces that oftentimes are better constructed than the originals.

No problem. BTW, the darkening is not, I can assure you from dirt or handling. You can experiment for yourself by putting a scrap of veg tan on your windowsill or other direct sunlight. Mine sat on a counter by the kitchen window and changed pretty quickly. This is the remnant from the same belly the finished piece was cut from. Looks more different in person. Personally I prefer the suntanned look.

Thanks for the link Vikefan. I did mention Nigel in my original post. I also pointed out his .pdf on the topic which is on his website, Armitageleather.com.

Part of the problem longterm is preventing the veg tan areas from darkening in sunlight. I made a sleeve for my Yeti cup and couldn't believe how much and how quickly it changed. You say you want to preserve the "pinkish" color. IMHO it probably won't be possible for long. Some finishes claim UV resistance but I'm skeptical.

As promised, here are some stitched samples. I used the thread I had handy. Both threads are 3-ply with the red being close to 0.6mm and the tan a little larger, close to 0.8mm. As you can see an angle was achieved on both sides. I pulled the red a little tighter than normal apparently or the veg tan scrap was unusually soft. I stitched two layers of approx. 3mm veg tan. I think both stitches are serviceable. Just a quick show, but effective in demonstrating what the tools can do.