Shorts

Not on a single layer I'd make lol I hand stitched my gun belt and let me tell you 9+ yards of thread is craziness - and it was necessary! I don't think I'm going to fiddle with that for "unnecessary" LOL

Butch - beautiful, all around.

Thanks Crystal Yeah, for some reason I thought I'd stat numbering and signing belts. I saw someone else do it once and thought it looked cool Ohh, an end-of-day report: The belt wore excellent! It was comfortable and it stayed put. It definitely needs to break in a little bit and contour, but that will come naturally with time. I intentionally decided to build a straight cut belt rather than a contoured (radiused?) of my regular one. I think every piece of leather has its own character and its great to see it form naturally as it goes.

Arvis, I had wondered if "containing the stretch factor" was a possible case Thanks guys

I noticed on many casual/fashion belts there is stitching running the border, but the belt is a single layer of leather. Is that done for any functional purpose or is it purely aesthetics?

Thanks Art! This belt has its fair share of boo boos, you know, the ones that make it 'handmade' lol I'm giving it it's maiden voyage today. We just going hiking and taking the dog out for a romp :D

Ok, snapped some shots. My first belt: and a pretty pic

Beautiful! What color is that?

Tom, great work. I think it's a wonderful idea. I've also considered doing the same during this downtime with my R&D and pattern-drawing time. Keep us informed. Your top pic with the stencil looks excellent.

Finally finished up my belt today. It's still setting from the topcoat and I'll install the hardware tomorrow and she's ready to roll. It took forever and a day to stitch it. I made it double layer 1.5" so it'll fit my holsters nicely. But goodness gracious! Wrangling 9+ yards of thread for handstitch is craziness! And I don't think I'm going to offer these babies until I have a stitching machine. Otherwise these poor fellas couldn't afford it! lol Alright, I'll have a picture up tomorrow. I just had to shout cause I'm so glad I've finally finished it up

I pet them at the zoo

Excellent Dan Glad it worked. Leather can be tricky in regards to taking impressions and whatnot. Different cuts and brands will effect the ease or difficulty of imprinting. Even in the same piece of leather you'll have some spots that are softer and spots that are firmer. As you get more comfortable in the build process you'll see improvements in the results of each step. I think you're off to a mighty fine start!

Dan, great holster! I really like how the color came out. Good design on hte holster, and you said your wife enjoys it - sounds like its functioning properly; excellent! As for the overstitch wheel, a way to ensure the imprints are good is to dampen the groove all the way around with a dauber or even your finger. Just dip it in the water and smear it over the top. Then immediately run the stitch wheel. Don't be afraid to use a little pressure and go forward and reverse (like you cut a pizza!). Obviously, stay in the groove I normally let the water dry off before I punch the holes after that. I get an excellent impression and stitch line and it really helps form the leather so the thread sets in really nice. I'll get a pic up on a current project to show you what I mean.

Spray it on or dip for a great finish. Using a dauber to wipe it on will streak.

I did end up going this route. I just used my target/range staple gun and put one in the end, then I used pliers to really squeeze down the ends. Hopefully the staple doesn't wear the leather enough to tear too soon. If it does, well, I'll just staple another keeper together and replace it

Jordan, makes sense. I just came downstairs from cutting off the end of the backing layer and gluing it down. So, I guess it's final that this belt will be a single layer :D I'll punch and begin stitching, probably in the a.m. I may go ahead and try skiving the ends and do a double layer on the next one (assuming I don't get my fill of handstitching). I think I'll keep the screws for the end. It's a bit of an awkward end to stitch the end there (hard to hold).

Thanks Kevin. The single end keeps the belt from getting too bulky. I didn't want to try to build it thinking I was using some smarts but end up making it not as well-built as it could have been. I'm using 7/8oz for each strap. I have a bazillion stitches to do....this will take a while This belt will be my everyday belt as well as pull carry duty once we get back to the States

With EcoFlo you have to be sure to seal it well. Until the sealant is dry, it'll bleed. As Jeff suggested buff the finish after dyeing to get the dried residue off before applying a topcoat. I've tried the Satin Sheen and Tan Kote then Resolene. Resolene does a good job sealing the leather and it's a flexible top coat so you don't havethat plasticky hard feeling. I recommend trying it out and see what you think.

I'm putting together a double layer gun belt and I'm stumped on which type of end to use. Any suggestions? Difference in durability between the two? The reason I am wondering is, for the double, I'll stitch right up near the end of the leather layers. I'm concerned that the stitching will make the bend thicker and/or harder to fold over the buckle. For the single, well its obviously a bit easier to fold over the buckle and I'd stitch only to the end of the backing layer (right before the tongue hole). The keeper (not shown) would sit exactly like it is on the double layer (not sew between layers).

Full strength Resolene seals well. I haven't had a holster come back nor had a complaint about rub off. I use Coal Black Ecoflo without worry. Unsealed, it will rub off. Sealed with Resolene, it is good. The type of sealant matters. Search a post "Resolene vs Tan Kote" here in the Dye/Finishes forum for explanation

Thanks for the pics Art. I might start ordering metal keepers just for ease of attachment. You mentioned staples, I was wondering what kind to use if I went that option. Since I wasn't planning on sewing the keeper, I was unsure of how to keep the keeper ends together and from sliding out. Jordan, makes perfect sense. I am reading that you're talking about the heel bar buckles vs the center bar buckles Oh, I'm making just a simple gun belt, double layer of 7/8oz leather, stitched all the way around, with a nickel heel bar buckle and leather keeper This one is a treat to myself and it'll also serve as my prototype to go with my holsters and mag pouches.

I'm putting together my first belt and I'm stumped on how to attach a keeper. I am using chicago screws to secure the foldover at the buckle so I will not be stitching a keeper there. I do not have any metal keepers to use. I am making this a double layer belt. Would it be possible to stitch the keeper between the layers? Is that durable?

Most of the holsters I sell are for 1.5" (and is my standard for loops and slots). Occasionally I get a 1.75" or a 1.25". I'm just starting my first belt for myself and that is going to be 1.5" as my standard belt lineup.

lol Thanks! Will do! Yes, they certainly do - not one is the same Off hand, they look so much better in person than on the computer screen Thanks Madmax. Nahh, not a trade secret so I guess I'll only rough you up instead of have to get rid of you all together if I tell you The dye I use is EcoFlo and it is water based. To get smooth colors, I spray with an airbrush. To get the marbled, I use a dauber. That's only with the browns and tans though...and you have to be careful how you apply it ir it can get uneven or just not look right (the Tans are especially tempermental). I use small circular strokes to apply the dye, kinda like if I was waxing. For black dye, I apply straight with an airbrush. The characteristic I don't like about EcoFlo is that they are water-based so there is a lot of moisture that sinks back into the leather without dye. I don't like rewetting my molded, dry holsters so I keep as much moisture out on solid colors by using the airbrush.

You got it bud - big thumbs up. R&D takes a while. Drawing it out...after brain crunching...then building it. Then testing...then editing, redrawing...rebuilding, retesting.... it is definitely time consuming and it is mentally challenging. It can wear a person out! Nice job - looking at your picture I can feel the breath of relief you must have sighed knowing you've accomplished an item you were planning.