Tugadude

Couple things that help, practice keeping your wrist at a fixed angle and then hold your elbow out wide like you are lining up a pool shot. Copy that motion and you will see improvement on the backside. If the leather isn't too thick, glue the edges to keep them square and punch all the way through with the chisel.

+1, looks good!

You say you got a call from someone. You didn't refer to him as a friend or relative. You are obviously a generous man, offering your time for $0 dollars. Unfortunately most folks don't appreciate the gesture and next time they need something they expect something for nothing again.

What tool are you using for the creases on the pocket? Some look straighter than others, you might try using a straightedge to get more consistency. The brand looks super to me. How are you achieving your stitching holes?

It is ready when it is almost back to the same color it started as. You can get a straighter border with a creaser or groover. An adjustable creaser is a handy tool for this.

If you have a soldering iron you can achieve the same branding effect with it. Or a woodburning tool, very similar. Don't be too hard on yourself. It is a first project, right? You are off to a great start.

You are off to a great start. With time, all the small details get better. What are you using to mark and make your holes for stitching? One thing I noticed is how irregular the back of the pancake sheath stitching was. If you are using an awl that can happen. A stitching chisel helps keep the backside even, and the thickness you are working with will allow for the chisel to penetrate all of the way through I bet. I suggest a 4 or 6 prong chisel for the straight runs and a 2 prong for curves. Your belt looks great. I'll bet your daughter was delighted.

Beautiful! Did you put any pockets inside the main compartment? Also like the gusseted pockets on the front. The whole thing comes off as classy with a whimsical touch. I like it a lot.

http://www.watch-band-center.com/watchstrap-h1198-All-Tools-Parts-.html First one I found. Just Google watch band parts or watch buckles and you will find lots of sites.

Agree on the pliers roughening the needles. Makes matters worse. Buy smooth, flat nose pliers. No grooves to mess up the surface of the needle. Got some for $4.00 at a Menards store.

Access please

IMHO, if you constantly need pliers, there is an issue that needs to be addressed. The problem is not the slippery needles, per se. Could be the needles or the eyes are too big. What size thread? Could be too big for the holes. Is your awl a diamond shape? Is it wide enough for the needle and thread combo you are using? Needles generally hang up not because they are slippery, but because they can't pass freely through the leather. Nigel Armitage talks about this in videos he did for a forum member. The member was using needles purportedly made for leather stitching that were simply enormous and could never have been made to work appropriately. So look at the whole process and see if a modification here or there doesn't eliminate the trouble. Good luck!

+1, agree totally

Don't know if this is covered in other topics, but if I were the school representative, I would want some control over what types of merchandise is worthy of receiving the logo. In other words, key fobs OK, cigarette pouches not OK. Not picking on smokers, just one item that popped into my head.

Feel free to call them. I go in there every couple months and they are awesome folks!

Hi, wondering how you are making your stitching holes? The frog logo is very nice.

One suggestion I might make is to add an "alternate" set of holes lower down on the uprights. That way you could move the cam lock down to allow longer pieces into the jaws. I made one with the bolt at the same height as yours and found that I needed to lower it for some projects. Love how you softened all of the edges!

The color contrast between the edge and background of the carving gives the bag a very rich look, nicely done! Me like.

Very nice. Any in-progress pics? I agree with the decision on the carving, but you could have put a small celtic cross or trescallion on the front flap. Perfect spot for it. Love the whole bag!