ShirleyT

So, I'd like to make a belt with some lovely leather that's not quite heavy enough...so I'll line it...and I don't want to stitch it on...Advice on glue alone? Please?

I stitch with two needles and a stitching awl using a saddle clam. Lots of beeswax on the thread (silk for thin leathers, linen everything else) Stitch line marked first with dividers - front and back - then pricking iron (not a wheel) on the grain. The clam is held leaning a little left with the knees and lots of practice and I mostly get the awl through to the right place. Having the line marked on the back with the dividers (or a compass race) helps. Good basic illustrated how-to in Valerie Michael's leatherworking book. And I still manage to meander...sigh

I get it; it's a favorite game here in our resort town... A popular bumper sticker - "If it's tourist season, why can't you shoot them?"

Spent some time training with Valerie Michael and Neil MacGregor in Tetbury...what a culture shock for this girl from FAR west Texas (Big Bend on the border) now living in Colorado! Came away loving Branston pickle and English cheddar sandwiches, DRAFT cider at the pub (Yum!) and local faggots - now there's a word that caused some discussion with the waiter. All this despite my grandmother being English (Leeds) and my best friend here (London) now married to an American. They didn't educate me very well I guess. And got into one hell of a fight, er discussion, where I held my own with a rather pompous fellow at the pub about the ills of America, Americans, and Texans in particular. (It was during Badminton trials as well and I think he was sick of the crowds.) I made him a dog collar upon my return; got a lovely thank you note and he's coming out to ski next year with his wife and kids in tow. (Not all of us are so bad now.) This was earlier this year - was amazed that the American presidential race was the lead story EVERY night on the TV; at least until a rich lawyer in Chelsea shot things up... Memories...I'll be back in '09 for more training. Can't wait. LOVE the Cotswolds and Bath and Avebury...and good linen thread hard to find here for hand-stitching...aaaahhh LOVE Black Adder.

BIG thanks...and nice rear...on the horse...in the photo. Seriously, this is great. I expect to start a fashion craze in the near future with Conway buckles. (I knew y'all would know!)

I could sure use some help...can't we all? I've come into a few Conway buckles (gift horse) that I would like to incorporate in my handbag straps. I've never worked with one and I could SURE USE SOME HELP with direction on how to best attach. Thoughts? Photos? Tutorial? Experience? Color me clueless... Thanks in advance. Shirley

I'm looking for a supplier for cast aluminum fittings for personal goods. I can do minimum order if quantities are not mega huge. Thanks!

THANKS for the speedy reply. I'll get it ordered right away. (I just love this site!)

Aaarrrgh! Great rum cup! What wax did you use? Does the wax keep the leather flavor out of your rum? I like flavored rums myself though I've never actually tried leather flavored rum....

I would like to make a curved or contour belt for my daughter...one that fits a little below the waist and rests on the hipbones. I've seen them in stores and they are curved/contoured, i.e. not straight. (well, duh...) I don't know how to best calculate the curve to fit to make a pattern. Help?

Misterart.com has great cutting mats in three colors, green, translucent and black. They are on sale right now.

Great dialogue - informative and clearly tested. So, what y'all have to say about structure - Individual, Partnership, LLC. S-corp, C-corp etc.??