Handstitched

G'Day , I got my new whip today to practice cracking whips for Judging at a show coming up mid Sept. Its a 7' 6 plait stock whip, cane handle , red hide, and VERY well made. Peter T, you may well know the maker. Nemeth Whips ( Brain Nemeth...and family ) of Queensland. pretty much identicle to this one: http://www.everythingaustralian.com.au/products/whip-wood.jpg I can't help but keep sniffing it!! Smells wonderful !! All I have to do now........is practice All the best Handstitched

G'day Cookiemonster, Just be warned that leather work is very addictive, once you start, theres no turning back If ever you get stuck, you'll have plenty of help on here, and theres no such thing as a silly question on here. I wish you the best Handstitched

G'day again, Thank you all very much for your great advice, its all been very helpful, especially Peter T. I have just over month to go before I go to the show to Judge. I could always buy myself a good affordable whip from a reputable supplier to practice my whip cracking, as I don't want to look a complete goose on my big day. I know there is a knack to it. Grampa Joel, I will keep the bevelling in mind, in fact , that could be a difficult one to judge on. I would have to think very carefully, did they leave it un-bevelled on purpose, or was it an oversight? but I would think bevelling would look nicer. I think colours would look quite nice too. Thanks once again, Handstitched

G'Day, I have been granted the very honourable position of Judging leatherwork at a large popular show this year....and its my first time. It was my understanding there was some difficulty in finding a Judge this year for the leatherwork section, and if I didn't accept the position, it would have been granted to a 'General Judge' ( that judges everything if a Judge can't be found) , that , ( with great respect) may not know too much about leatherwork, so with my experience behind me , I took the position. I've been doing leatherwork for almost 10 years now ( thats gone quick ) , and I know from experience what to look out for when it comes to bags , belts, etc the quality of the tooling, carving , attention to detail , craftmanship, functionality and so on. However, when it comes to whips and braiding, I know a quailty made whip or a quality braid but is there anything that I should be looking out for? I have done some plaiting, but not whip making. Am I excited? you betchya!! Am I nervous.........just a little bit Thanks for any advice. Handstitched

G'Day again, just a quick 'P.S' on that. I noticed that Thread Exchange have 207 in a variety of colours ( more than 277 ) .Looking at the write up, the 207 can go through my #24 needle, which is what in wanted ...COLOURS than can go through my machine ...yey http://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=TTE&Category_Code=polyester-thread-size-207 all the best HS

G'Day I was going to ask where can I get 277 threads.... cheaper than what I'm paying here in Australia, as I'm getting a little peeved at paying around $87 (Australian) + postage ( totaling around $ 100+) for a 2000mtr spool of 277/M10 , and that price is supposed to be "wholesale". Its also hard to find colours other than natural, black white etc. in 277. Needless to say, there are very few industrial sewing machine specialists and thread wholesalers in Western Australia , mostly in the east. Then after a search on here, I found The Thread Exchange.And surely, even with freight, getting my threads from the States much be cheaper than what I'm paying here in Oz . I also discovered Weaver's they have a selection of threads too, and now have a customer number and hope to do business with them soon. When in business, a little saving is better than none. All the best HS

G'day leatherworkers This is just a simple upholstery job on a basket ( and the little strap on the tool box) for an old motorcycle but I'm more impressed with the bike it went on . Just thought I'd share it with you. My Father was an upholsterer by trade in his early days, and I picked up a few simple tips . The bike is approx . 1920-1924. I wasn't expecting such beautiful photos, but the owners son is a professional photographer. Enjoy. http://www.flickr.com/photos/40990121@N05/8995413008

G'Day ,and G'day to mcjerjer, from Western Australia You'll have to be careful about starting your new leather hobby, it can be very addictive, and once you've been bitten by the leather craft bug, there is no antidote and no cure. My leatherwork started out as a hobby, and now, 9 years later, its a full time 7 day per week business. If you ever get stuck on anything, there are many people on here that are more than happy to help, and there is no such thing as a 'silly question' . Good luck with your new hobby . HS

G'Day again, just to quickly answer your question "Where do people find customers like these?" I do craft markets every weekend in various locations, and I often get an assortement of enquiries regarding repairs, some of which are quite challenging, but very educational . This particular client found me at a market 3 years ago...she's only just got around to having the bellows repaired.....thank God for flyers & business cards HS

G'Day , Thank you very much. Looking closely at the old leather, its looks like it got a bit to close to direct heat causing it to dry out and split. I used a 1 -1.5mm veg tan leather, and using the old pieces ( what was left of them) as a template. After oiling, dying, I put a few liberal coats of sealer on the inside, and a coat of super shene on the outside which finished it off nicely. All the copper and the brass tacks were polished up using a piece of steel wool, Autosol ( metal polish) and some brasso. I'll be advising the customer to keep them away from direct heat. I have since put a piece of brass chain on them to hang them up...away from heat. I'll also be keeping an eye out for bellows at S/H shops, markets etc. I never knew how nice they looked with a bit of love. Imagine how they'd look with a nice carved leather design on top? All the best, HS

G'Day, I had a small set of hand held bellows sent to me from a customer, and they were in pretty bad shape. I think they're around 30years old. There must be something special about them for the customer to go to great lengths to have them repaired, sentimental perhaps. My first time doing bellows, and now, after seeing the end result, I wouldn't mind doing some more. I took notes etc. , took pics , wrote down all sorts of info so I knew how they looked and how they go back together. Although I smelt like a piece of smoked bacon by the time I finished, its not exactly a huge job, but I quite enjoyed doing these. Hope you like the pics. HS

G'Day I was asked to do a logo for a motorcyle club member, so it can be attached to one of his saddle bags on his bike. I first practiced on a piece of scrap. The logo itself was pretty easy to do, but there were some words that I couldn't quite fit into the space using the smallest letters I had. I used a silhouette style carving, as it is B/W with no colours. However, I had a light bulb moment . Practicing on scrap, I used a pointy modeling tool to write the letters in, and to leave a nice impression, and....wait for it.....I also used an old felt tip pen that had dried out, dip it in the dye ( like a quill) and write with the dye. The 'handwritten' style , suited the logo perfectly. I've attached a few pics. This can be used in all sorts of applications, and with different size felt tips. I'm really hoping that this is MY contributing idea to the leather crafting world,....but knowing my luck, someone else has already done it. I just hope it helps someone else. All the Best, Handstitched

G'Day again, Thank you for your comments. Just to answer a few questions, no I didn't put any lining on the inside, I have dyed it , but it is now quite neat clean and tidy. But I have lined them in the past. I use a material called 'chamois' ( no doubt a different name where you are) , a bit like a velvet, only much cheaper ( here in Oz at least) Before I use any adhesives on the material, I put a good covering of matt sealer on the inside , the same sealer artists use after doing pencil drawings. The sealer prevents any of the adhesive 'seaping' through to the 'good' side when applied. I use a contact type adhesive. The one I use is a gel type, so I don't get the 'stringy' bits that you sometimes get from glues. I do normally take a copy from the pieces for a pattern , but on this occasion I didn't because am pretty sure I have the same or a similar pattern in amongst my 100's of patterns & many books etc in my filing cabinet. I have many old pattern books dating back to the 60's & 70's , many of which are Al Stohlman. There is very slight " sihouette" style carved pattern right down the bottom of the front of the bag, ( out of view). Perhaps with a bit more thought......and of course , time, I could have used some white leather paint to complete the B&W theme, it would have been a 'reverse silhouette' carve I guess (?) . but I left it as it was . Anyway, thanks once again, All the best from a VERY hot Western Australia HS

G'Day, I'm in the Central wheatbelt WA. I didn't realise Cowboy machines were available in Oz? I have a Colt, by Q Stitch from Cabalaba QLD. http://www.flickr.com/photos/40990121@N05/4111321665/ Hope its not the same comany selling the Cowboy, I will be dissapointed, as I've had no trouble whatsoever with my machine, or the company, (touchwood). HS

G'Day, I do sometimes have old handbags given to me , or I've found them in second hand or charity shops. They are usually in pretty poor condition when I get them , but by the time I have finished with them, they're pretty good. In the first pic, you can see how bad it is. It's even got some mould on it. The original buckle was put on upside down The second, I pulled it apart ready for a good clean with some solvent to remove any sealers , dirt etc. The third, after cleaning, I gave it a coat of oil, followed by 2-3 coats of black dye,( enough to hide the brown underneath) some sealer, and leather dressing and a polish up. The fourth, after using white machine stitching, I used some 4.7mm white lace for assembly, and instead of using a replacement buckle , I have used a chrome magnetic clasp, and used rivets to cover up the holes. Some additional leather trim , 'D' rings and chrome chain ....and some creativity , was used to complete the picture. All ready for its new owner I quite enjoy doing those, and the end result All the best HS

G'Day, I have 4 machines. A Pfaff 60 set up for light to medium leathers, a Consew 226 , mainly for the horse rug repair side of my business, but it can do so much more like medium leathers, some 2.5 veg tan etc., a Q Stitch Colt, ( similar to Cobra ) for the thick heavy leathers , and an old Singer hand operated patcher, which I have yet to set up and put to use. I bought it a while ago, but haven't used it yet. I sometimes could use something in between , like a Singer 132k6 for everything else. That may be on the cards later this year . I do find it handy to have more than one machine and can save a bit of downtime , because as much as I love my Colt, changing threads feet tensions etc for different materials can be time consuming. Each of my machines have a specific purpose for my needs , and are set up just perfect . All the best HS

G'day, Practice as much as you can with the basket weave stamps . They do take some getting used to, but they are very effective, and look so nice. there are a few vids on youtube for 'how to....basket weave' hope that helps a bit. I'm still learning how to do horses in leather, but thats one of my better ones. I keep going back to that pic and think, "yep.... I like that " It makes me smile when I look at it. Its so much better than my earlier attempts at carving horses. Its THE one aspect of carving that I would love to get right. I love horses. I have horses all around me in my area,I have heaps of harnesses ,saddles , bridles etc hanging up in my workshop and even in Chinese astrology, I am a horse. Just following a natural path I guess But thank you. All the best, HS

G'Day , and thank you very much for your feedback. A stubby holder is for an ice cold stubby of beer. I'll attach a pic for you. And as its been the hottest summer on record down here in 'upsidedownland' right across the country , and the beer is going down like water In my part of West Oz as @ 3.40pm , is just over 40 degs C . ( over 100F in your lingo) Its been much hotter than that in the past few months. Those ( printed) foam rubber stubby holders serve their purpose of keeping the beer cold, but a nice handcrafted leather one is so much nicer, ........and fun to make. And whats even more fun , is consuming the contents to get the logo off the cans Thank you once again and all the best HS

G'Day again, Heres that experimental phone case I was talking about: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40990121@N05/8404653317/in/photostream/ I timed myself and made that one in under an hour. Once you open the velcro flap, the phone is about 1" - 1 1/4" proud, enough to easily slide the phone out. I might make the velcro a bit smaller next time, but my thinking for that large piece , was to accomodate variations in different size phones. After I stitched it and while it was still slighly damp, I pushed the wooden mould in ,and I then used the rounded corner of a quite a large thick 'D' ring to give it a nice shape on both sides , it also helps to remove any machine marks. as a result of being a bit damp. I have also made a few more, black & saddle tan. I might also play around with some other designs that have been 'buzzing' around in my head, as well as different sizes widths, depths, tooled etc. Also, this is my latest stubby holder: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40990121@N05/8404652847/in/photostream/ I love making those. They are time consuming, but its worth it You can see the front of it, just to the right of screen on my photo stream bit. All th best HS I'm still learning how to do the horses.

G'Day, I feel the same as Cameroo. The use of a beveller will tidy up the edges, but otherwise, really nice work. One thing I taught myself, was to use the narrow rounded bit of a wooden handle of one of my tools as a burnisher, especially for hard to get at places, tight curves, corners, etc. I 've been experimenting with a similar design (similar to the first few pics) for some hand held devices. A one piece, folded over, with belt loop, but machine stitched, and then a wooden mould pushed in after I've dampened it. @ Narrowsuch, I was originally born in Haverhill in Suffolk, but spent nearly all my life in Australia. All the best to all, HS

G'day I quite like it. Is that Supa Shene that you used to get that nice shine? Also, not knowing too much about these, are those holes for the mic or a camera perhaps?? I have also found that talking to those that have these handheld devices, the cases that come wth them ( if any) are ...well... crap, according to their owners. So I'm finding an increase in demand for a nice case, custom case , and/or hardcase to go with them, especially tradies. Now , changng the subject a bit, here in Australia, all ciggy packets now have plain packaging, and have some pretty graphic health warnings on them , and now as a result more people are asking for cigarette/tobacco cases to hide the ugly health warnings. I hope to come up with a 'quick & simple to assemble' design to suit all ciggy packets. But good work on the Galaxy case All the best Handstitched

Hey Natalie, I quite like that too, well done. I also agree about your 'signtaure', or makers mark., just like what bluesman said, just something that says ' This is mine , I made it, this is my mark ' I too have my own makers mark , but I've been quite slack in putting it on my work, as involves a wood burner type tool ( just a cheap glorified soldering iron really ) , but it is effective. I am thinking of getting a custom made stamp with my initials and logo on it that I can imprint/burn into my work. But well done again. all the best, HS from Western Australia

G'Day Dwight, I like that . That may well be the only and quickest, and cheapest solution on large numbers of plain belts. I'll still do nice fancy handstitched keepers on the custom belts though. I sort of watched 'High Plains Drifter' Clint Eastwood this arvo in my workshop ....that was until I got interupted by a customer Thanks for that HS

G'day again, and thank you for the prompt replies. The method I use is the 'ye olde' fashioned method, make holes with an awl, two holes made at either end of the keeper which is approx 15 mm wide, a length of thread, (knot at one end) , single needle, with the needle passed through the holes twice. I wind the thread around where the join is , and pull firmly, so that the thread looks like an 'X' on the inside. I like the idea of the staples, nice and quick, but how would the customers feel about that? The keepers themselves are made easily and quick enough........just insy winsy belts, its the hand stitching/joining thats time consuming. Thanks once again, HS

G'Day From a very stormy Western Australia, After making over 2 dozen belts in a row the other (very late) night,I thought to myself, "there has to be a quicker way to join the keepers". So, I was wondering if there is a much quicker and acceptable way of joining the the belt keepers? Mainly on large amounts of plain belts. ( my 'bread & butter belts' as I call them) Handstitching is all well and good and I do enjoy it, , but when theres many belts to be made, handstitching over 2 doz belt keepers, (somestimes more) becomes rather boring and laborious, I can almost do it with my eyes closed. All the best, Thanks HS