tclaridge

Thank you, I have lots of questions! Happy New Year!

Journal cover for my wife-- used 8 oz veg tan leather, saddle tan antique gel, and 1mm cream color Ritza 25 thread. Saddle Soap at the end to give it s nice soft feel. Fits a Moleskine journal. Pen keeps it closed securely. Should last for a few years. Merry Christmas, you all are great! Tanner

Beautiful work!

Howdy from Montana! I got hooked a few months ago when I had a pistol but no holster. I stumbled on a great free Glock 19 pattern from JLS leather, rounded up a few tools, and now I can't stop! I am so grateful for the friendly advice offered here. I have so much to learn, but this forum makes it easy to find help on any topic. Shortens the learning curve considerably! Looking forward to getting to know some of you better in the future. Holler if you're coming through Montana! I am interested in functional leather stuff-- holsters, sheaths, pint glass holsters, and would like to learn more about finishing techniques and tooling/carving, and possibly upholstery. Merry Christmas! Thanks, Tanner

Thanks for the encouragement! Looks like many of you who responded are holster makers-- can I ask how you normally treat the leather in terms of oils, finishes, etc.? I have not oiled the leather at any phase of the project (mostly because I don't have any and I do not want to lose the rigid structure of the holster). I have been using Sno-Seal beeswax and shoe polish, nothing else yet. Do you have recommendations for how to treat it in such a way that will keep the leather in good shape without softening it? Thanks! Tanner

I recently finished a project with a coin inlay. I took inspiration from this video by Ian Atkinson: http://youtu.be/M7mnEKr8t58. I did recess the back piece of 8 oz leather so it sat almost flush into it. Then, after finding that Barge cement held it less securely in place than I wanted, I adhered it with a DOT of Gorilla glue. The hole in the top piece is smaller than the quarter, so I think it will stay put. Good luck! Tanner

Here is my first revolver holster- a gift for my Dad. He likes to inlay a Montana coin in his woodworking projects, so I thought I'd do the same for his holster. Thanks to everyone here for all the tips I have gleaned over the past months as I've taken up leatherwork. My learning curve has been shortened considerably thanks to all the expertise offered here. What a great community! God bless, Tanner

This one may get you close http://www.adamsleatherworks.com/shop/leather-holster-pattern-iwb2-springfield-armory-xd-s/-- looks like a nice design. He also has a taco-style pattern for the same gun. Might have to modify the stitching lines for a little wider gun, frame shape, etc., but I believe the guns are fairly close in overall size. Good luck! Tanner

I was fortunate enough to find your great pattern as well. This is my first leather holster project-- the pattern was perfect! Thanks for providing it!