Sc00t3r

i can strip the leather all the way back if i have to and re dye / protect, but i really think it needs a deep clean - not sure how to do that without stiffening it too much

its just veg tan, maybe a tan kote on top (or something similar) - not sure how much of the kote is left though Scoot edit (had chrome tan in my head for some reason)

so, i have a (thin) leather waistcoat that i dance in (everyone needs a hobby), the problem is that i frequently saturate it with perspiration. Question - what would be the best way to clean it, i have tried foamed mild detergent, but it just doesn't seem to get out the odour or the sweat stains. All suggestions would be appreciated TIA, Scoot

i agree with the above, being fairly new to this medium myself. plus with Tandy, if you buy the kit you get access to their lessons as well - which are a really good starting point I would also add don't be afraid to make mistakes. When you start what would appear like doing something simple like cutting, you will mess it up. even when i do that i still complete the piece, it teaches you how to do the rest of it, and the key to leatherwork is practice. Don't be harsh on yourself with critique, when you have finished just ask what could i do better, it might be moving a snap under a piece of leather instead of on top of one. Progress wasn't built on success! Most of all enjoy it, i find lacing and sewing quite therapeutic (some find it mind numbing). At the end of the day i look at something and say "i made that from scratch", that's the reward Scoot

I liked the look of this, so made a pattern based on the above (if you don't mind ofc). What i forgot (initially) was to add the thickness of the leather to the base - part of the learning curve i guess. everything is cut and stamped and lines up - so that's peachy - just got to sew it up now Scoot

i think it something like this - without the inserts of course large circles are the press studs, the smaller rivets a 30 degree angle on the dotted lines i may be completely wrong, but my paper model works Scoot

you could use a 3d printer if you have a bed big enough to print a craftaid. if you own the printer, you could scale it accordingly Scoot