Tjstewart

I got a long way to go far as creating a good pattern. Being this is first one I have drawn out myself hoping I can get a little constructive criticism on what to work on. Not necessarily looking for "a viener here, a seeder there" but ideas on how to improve drawing a pattern out or individual pieces better.

Seems to me the way the holster you're talking about would be pretty bulky with that huge back flap. I would think up either two spring clips or two 1/2 inch loops on the back. The spring clip would bring it closer to the body as you just make a peice of leather just big enough that it's little wider than the clip rivet together see to back of holster also easier to get the cant. Simplified even more done in pancake style if want to

Don't know of any patterns right off, but how are you making your patterns? Way I would go about this style is trace the outline of the gun on poster board. Then roll the gun over trace the other side. Then for the side with the flap draw that out on my poster board

It looks like a floral style to me, but if I could make a recommendation. You may want to look at getting some oblong punches for your holes. Will make them more uniform and easier to cut.

I have that one also it's more on Texas style carving with great depth in layout and flow

If I knew how to draw the parts by themselves they would be all you would need so I would recommend getting both. I've been hoping hide pounder would chime in this post since Creating Western Floral Designs is his book and he does awesome work. Maybe could explain what I'm missing better

They great in showing how to get the right flow to your pattern, determining ratios of circles, negative space, and ideas of how to create a library of elements to set up a pattern. But for me not really how to draw a flower, stump, or leaf. It's briefly touched on but for somebody like me that's not good at freehand drawing could use more. You could think of it as trying to show how to walk/run when you're struggling just to be able to roll over.

This is the table of contents from the book you were talking about. For the Tandy books what I've ordered so far pretty much had what I was looking for except one on holsters. But back to original post I know somewhere out there somebody can surely give more insight on how to draw individual pieces when it comes to Flowers, acanthus stumps etc.

Here is the table of contents, looks like a little ahead of how to do the individual elements

I've been searching but so far not found, more details on how to draw individual elements. Flowers, scrolls, leaves, stumps, etc. I have 2 good books that tells how to layout patterns, flow and all. Floral carving for Artistically impaired and Creating Western Floral Designs but they don't cover how to draw the individual pieces as much as I need. I want to create my own patterns and not copy and trace somebody else's work. To make things truly unique just need direction how to get there

So I'm trying to draw my own patterns and have a couple books. Western floral designs by Bob Park, the other Floral Pattern Drawing for Artistically Impaired by Pete Gorell. Both are great for getting the flow and layout of a pattern. But I'm looking for more detailed instruction on how to draw the individual pieces

Anybody know where to get a jig to sharpen the blade on a Barry King knife? I upgraded from a Tandy knife but the shank on Barry's is a lot bigger. I could cut the end off and drill and thread the set screw. But before I do all that checking to see if already done or if something better

It's 4-5 oz so not very thick but has lot of blemishes and what looks like stretch marks in it. At first thought it was gonna be better than what it really is. But way I figure it now if I can make that look good then should be able to tool just about anything

This is an example of what I'm talking about the pear shading on the flower petals you can't really see. I did mess up in cutting on the scroll but I had just bought a Barry King swivel knife and this was 1st time using it versus the Tandy one I have. But what I'm after is better more crisp definition in my stamping. The flowing curves will come with more practice with the swivel knife.

I've never heard of bear man or even where to get them. Far as stamps I was thinking about those two as all mine are new Tandy stamps. I'd eventually like to get in to the business of leather working. But I keep comparing my work to what I see on here and hadn't figured out how they are getting so much better definition than I am getting

The mauls I see on Tandy's website are between $80 & $100. So it was hard for me to justify paying that when I could buy a mallet for $20 or less at Harbor Freight or Lowe's. Cause at first I didn't think there would be a big difference long as it wouldn't a metal hammer. But in using cams and pear shaders now I'm really wandering if it makes a difference as the cams are hardly defined. Pear shaders seem to be muddled.

I got some plastic mallets I've bought from Lowe's and Freight I've been using to tool with. But I'm wandering if a leather working maul would work better or if would make a difference in the crispness of the impressions.

That's a good looking combination you got there. I've been meaning to get a dremel for edge work. Cause my edges do like a little as you can see from the holster I will post little later today. I've also been wandering how well it would work cutting out the general pattern since it's easy to get off the mark using a utility knife.

Sorry didn't see it posted same reply more than once

Well I figured I'd be making another belt pretty soon anyway once I got my holster finished. Mainly to fix the mistakes I made on this one. And second to make it a little wider.

Well I figured I'd be making another belt pretty soon anyway once I got my holster finished. Mainly to fix the mistakes I made on this one. And second to make it a little wider.

Well I figured I'd be making another belt pretty soon anyway once I got my holster finished. Mainly to fix the mistakes I made on this one. And second to make it a little wider.

Thanks, that was the look I was going for. No offense taken. But I guess my best answer is I made it out of 9 oz. veg tan. That may be the standard for belts I don't know. But just looking at what's in the store at Walmart. It's a lot stiffer in comparison.

Yeah the black edge gives a optical illusion when wearing it. It don't look as wide as it really is. I didn't plan it but it worked out. The buckle hole I really didn't measure just kinda eyeballed it. So i could easily be off center.