horselady21

I didn't see any mention in a search so thought I'd share: recently found web site "Tack Templates". She has a great selection both pdf and acrylic of bridles, breastcollar, halters and more. There is also a tack templates tips Facebook page.

I bought this Juki refurbished from a member here a few years ago, made several bags and such, and have now moved on to other interests. I hate to selll but also don't like seeing a machine just sit idle. The LU563 is a workhorse with an extra large bobbin. It doesn't have reverse but that was never an issue for me. And shortly after I got and mounted it into the table from an old Singer tailor machine I had, I swapped out the old leather belt for an automotive V belt (I'm a car gal!) And even with the clutch motor, this thing screams! I have sewn long purse straps and it goes lightning fast without stopping. I have video and other pics that wouldn't upload due to size constraints. PM and I will email them to you. Asking $850/best reasonable offer. Located in Western Pa outside Pittsburgh. No shipping, no delivery, and I can't help lift this monster so if you do want it, bring muscle!

Has anyone seen or made a pattern for something like this?

www.sallietomato.com

Hi! I found this little but very valuable site about 6 pages in on a Google search at lunch last week. I like this pattern because of the addition of the trim and the 3 different ways to do it, and a couple of her others bags. She also has a cat bed/tunnel that I HAVE to make but won't need a pattern for that. She also has great clearance prices on some of her hardware. Just for example, I was working on the Concealed Carry bag which needs 1-1/4" rectangular rings etc. I got 4/$1.24, which I thought was pretty good.

Trying again....

The pic was too big...And the error message was halfway off the screen of my phone so I didn't catch it. Will do it from computer tomorrow!

I just finished this bag. Not perfect but...one of the largest and most complicated ones I've ever done but I like it!

You're welcome. Also just found and bought a nice concealed carry purse pattern on Etsy. Seller is Americanstitchers.

Hi , all! Part of my plan for 2018 is to spend more time here (and less on Facebook!) sharing our passion for all things leather. So here is my first "share": Check out Chriswdesigns.com. She designs handbags/purses for fabric but uses a lot of vinyl trim and I have made a lot of her patterns using thinner leathers that have been real stunners. I am finishing one this weekend that I will post pics of.

You're welcome! It's hard to find good leather bag patterns and they have a lot of stuff. Their sister site is lzpattern.com. Would love to see your finished product!

Just a heads up for anyone looking for a modern, ultra-chic handbag for their repertoire or a gift. Very easy to make! I have made several of them and modified the pattern to my own taste also. They had to change their title to eliminate the brand name, but you will see the unusual shape and front color block pattern in the photo.

Nevermind...just answered my own question, and saw the problem for the intermittent problem I have been having with stitches, thread, bobbin issues (thought it was me, but obviously not!) It looks like the back foot bar is intermittently not picking up at all...just drags, then all of a sudden will start moving again. Maybe time for alittle TLC at the local shop I've been talking to! Thanks anyways!

I still love my refurbed Juki that I got this summer, and it has been doing great! Since I have come to a point where I am making some purses now, I am getting less afraid of zippers, and want to start using them. I ordered zipper feet (both left and right) for it, and received them, but after installing them, realized that the serrated back foot holds the leather still, while the walking foot in the front pushes the leather. I guess if this were a "normal" zipper set up, with just a zipper and material on one side of the feet, it would be ok, but since this is in the middle of a purse, not so good! Any ideas? I was thinking maybe I could tape a smooth piece of steep or plastic to the bottom of the back foot so the leather would slide like normal, but is there an actual legit set up for this purpose? Thanks for any help!

I was just surfing for an idea on a belt bag and came across Deviant Art, which I haven't been on for years, and forgot what fantastic artists and leatherwork are there! Amazing creations if you care to visit, and they spark a lot of creativity in me! www.deviantart.com

Thanks SO much for the tutorial! I am stopping at Tandy on my way out to vacation tomorrow. They have the gloss agent in the Eco flow brand now. I don't know if it is the same stuff but will ask. The bottle looks identical except for the label. I didn't realize how much time and effort goes into doing edges! I never paid that much attention to them before now. But you are right- a good finish and a great finish makes all the difference. You have been a God send! Thank you!

Ooohhh...Very , very nice! I have never used edge paint, but you sold me! That is beautiful work! And just the exact look I want (although I suspect it will take a lot of practice to get that good at it!) Thank you so much!

Hi, everyone! I have designed and am making kidskin belt bags/small cross body bags. The leather is pretty thin kidskin. The main body of it is no problem, but right now, the flap is 3 layers (lining, underlay of exotic, and outer kidskin) with an exposed edge. I didn't like the finish on the first one, just trying to burnish it like it was a heavier leather, and was looking for ideas on finishing edges on thinner work. Any ideas appreciated, pics always helpful! Thanks!

Thanks, Uwe! I did get it, and the stitches are beautiful, and I sewed for an hour straight and nothing broke and I was still smiling at the end of it! Such an unusual experience for me! I thought the machine would be a bit daunting to adjust but your video made it so easy - thank you so much for that. I hope you realize how much you mean to people like me!

It worked! I adjusted the bobbin tension exactly one quarter of a turn ,verified it has a tiny bit more of a slight resistance, backed out the upper tension nut all the way then back in halfway, stitched a row, and it was just a tiny but still too tight on top, so I backed off one revolution on the top tension, and it is now perfect! Thanks for the help and encouragement!

Thanks, Wiz. I studied up on my tension/needle theory yesterday until I thought my brain would explode! It really isn't that difficult a concept when you get right down to it, but to get it to actually happen in the material can sometimes (obviously) be a challenge!

Actually, after thinking about it some more, that didn't sound right. Now I think that the bobbin tension was set pretty loose for the very heavy thread being run when I got it, and the heavy material being demonstrated. Also, I had the needle in backwards. I had removed it and put it back, obviously wrong way. Hey, it was 4 am! So tonight I will attempt to adjust the bobbin tension slightly and see where we go from there.

Yep, no reverse but no big deal to me. I am ecstatic just to have a working machine! So after getting it asset up last night (the basics), I was happy to successfully adjust the stitch length to what my first project will need. Uwe's video was priceless for this! My only problem at the moment seems to be that I only have the monster needle that he was using for the very heavy thread in the video (207?) And I am using a #69, sewing layers of coastline, so when I try to sew, no matter the tension setting, the top thread pluckers and pulls the bobbin thread up. Things are a bit better with more layers but I don't have any heavier thread to test my theory. But needles are ordered, so what's a few more days? Wish local places sold them.

Yep, the servo type motor has been on my list since day one....well, right after a machine that works!

So after weeks of fighting the old Singer 31-15 ( that thankfully I only paid $60 for...table, motor and all), I gave up. I spotted Uwe's refurbed Juki , drooled over the video of the LU-563-3 machine, emailed him, talked to him on the phone, and couldn't see a reason not to just do it. And 6 months no interest from Paypal credit just sweetened the deal! Even better: the Jukii head fit perfectly in the Singer table after I removed the drip pan and moved the knee foot-raising part that is underneath. I never used that anyways so the fact it doesn't work isn't an issue for me. As for the drip pan, I am sure I can either modify one or find a deeper pan. The pulleys lined up perfectly also, which I had been concerned about! I was thrilled! I haven't threaded it up and tried it yet but wanted to post pics. And I can't say enough good about dealing with Uwe! He drove over half way to meet me, answered all my questions, gave me extra bobbins and pieces, sent me links to adjustment videos, and just went way out of his way to make the deal awesome! If you are looking for a refurbed machine, look no further than this man!