Wedgetail

G’day all, I haven’t posted for a long while, being busy with work, renovations, and life; but every Christmas I like to make some presents for the family. This year sunglasses sleeves will be in the Christmas stockings. A simple fold over design, Matt black Alran sully goatskin with 0.6mm ritza tiger thread. Looking sharp with a contrasting gold foil imprinted logo, I think! Template roughly 175mmx195mm, I got 6 out of one large skin, with some material left over; enough for a couple of keychains (for those estimating yield). All supplied from Rocky Mountain leather supply. So whether you are with family, friends, or going solo. For those celebrating a good year, or doing it tough; You are never alone with community like this around you, and there is always hope for a bright future. Take care and look after yourself, I hope you have a merry Christmas.

Nice, thanks. I’ll go check that out.

Hahaha once a year sounds long enough to recover. Yeah I am pretty happy with how the one I made came out… but I can definitely see the difference between what I did, and what I vaguely remembered seeing here (that I was shooting for)! Lol still, getting back into it for the first time in a while I really wanted to push myself to get those skills back. I think I’ll try some of the simpler gussets next. They look great, will suit what I’m making, and are way less fiddly!

@RockyAussie found it!

@RockyAussie no, but thanks because that’s the style I’m going to try next though I think. I think I called it a welted gusset or something, and your description for what you called them consisted of an assortment of symbols representing the frustration that one endures when constructing them! Haha from memory it was a handbag, included a stiffener in the gusset, and I think was used when you wanted the lining to be visible from the outside… not that I did that here. @Spyros RM leather supply were great to deal with. But the last time I ordered from them was mid 2019… back then shipping was ridiculously fast too, it arrived in 8 days. But fast forward 2 years, and add this global situation… can’t say whether it is the same experience. Regardless i plan to reorder from them again soon.

Thanks @RockyAussie! rusty as a nail but I’ll get there! I actually searched for an age on here to find where you posted pics of a similar gusset… couldn’t find them, so just winged it instead, using what I remember of it as inspiration haha Thanks @Spyros I was toying with the idea of using some reinforcement too but worried about it being too stiff. I think the next one I make I will definitely try it. I haven’t tried Uniters yet, will look into where I can get it. I’m usually a burnishing guy myself but these were chrome tanned so… no chance of that! Haha The goatskin is imported, it’s Alran tannery which is French. I shipped to Oz from Rocky Mountain leather supply a long time ago. I think locally in Australia now you can find Alran goatskins at Coastal Leather. the kangaroo was from Birdsall leather.

G’day all, been a long time since I have been active on here. I moved house and left all my stuff in storage while working on the place… including building my new workshop, among other things. But I’m back in action now, and this is my first project in 2 years. kangaroo skin outer (dark brown), chèvre chagrin sully lining (marine). tiger thread, mid brown, 0.6mm edge paint is fiebings edge kote, dark brown…. It was what I could get quick because all my old paints dried out and separated beyond recovery. I don’t love it. Taking suggestions for a good edge paint! cheers,

Try using a low tac contact adhesive like frisket film. I've used it to make stencils before, which didn't mark the leather... but haven't tried laser engraving with the frisket film on the leather before. Would try it myself first but my laser blew up over a year ago and I haven't got around to fixing it yet due to an overly long 'honey do' list.

It's this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/WUTA-Leather-Craft-Pattern-Clutch-AcrylicTemplate-Zipper-Installer-Mold/153228874232?hash=item23ad2711f8:g:wgEAAOSwTY9ZZdLT

Wuta pattern, the acrylic set with the spacer block for shaping the zipper around onto the inner. I know exactly what you mean... I cut it square per the pattern and can just see a bit of it... it bugs me. Using thinner leather helped (pattern called for 1.6mm or 4oz, I used .8mm or 2oz), because it didn't have to make such a wide turn at the spine... but came with other problems (like being too thin to cover the Puckering of the zipper tape around corners so looks rippled) But I looked around on the web and noticed two things: 1. There are a tonne of wallets with just exactly that problem... using thinner leather seems to make it less obvious. 2. Wallets that don't seem to have that problem are stitched all around, where my stitch line stopped at the spine... if I had tried to stitch all around it should pull the zipper together with the flesh side of the outer. Access was a problem. Trying to get even stitches around there would have been a folly. Next time I'll try to make one with the gussets cut where they go around the zipper pouch inside the wallet... that will mean I can open it up wider for stitching. Then sew the gussets together in the centre of the wallet and edge finish them... access does not seem to be a problem then, because the zipper section in the middle tends to move easily back and forward.

Thanks guys, most of the horrors are pretty well covered. I got some shop debris under the outer panel when I was gluing it up and had to pull it apart to separate after the glue dried... which made a mess of the stiffened board underneath it. And stretched the leather a little so now it looks a little ripples. I also used a tape width that was too narrow, so I had to try and stitch too close to the edge to catch it (not even sure I did in some places, if I'm honest) which meant that on the inside bottom left you can see where I missed the internal liner entirely. Oops... Also didn't get the zipper to lay flat enough around the top right corner there on the outer photo so you can see the zipper rippling under the leather. Other than all of that... It is alright. Haha The leather is the ochre colour glazed kangaroo from birdsall leather. It's my favourite tan colour they do. The inside is their dark brown glazed... not sure what it is but second darkest in their glazed range (not the havana). The thread is just plain old white which I used to contrast on the interior

First project after a good few months. Not super happy with it, a few mistakes made that I could have easily avoided... But it looks nice so here it is! Made from kangaroo leather around 2oz. Hand stitched as normal. YKK zippers. The flowers in the picture are from a Jacaranda tree in my back yard, very pretty this time of year

Well look on the bright side... you just found a way to add a variant of an existing pattern to your product offerings, which might appeal to some more people

Imagine that would make life easier to get your straight edge before cutting your belt straps, Brian!

They aren't the lightest of things that's for sure... Even though mine is only a bench top mount, on the floor it stands about waist height I suppose, it is pretty solid! Wouldn't want to put it in a space you intend to use for multiple purposes.

Patience is a virtue... I waited about a year and a half, but finally the auto parts shop at the end of my street put their 6 tonne shop press on special, just about 50% off.... was AUD$304 down to $160 with bonus $60 accessory pack... which is cool, just in case I ever need the dies. Now I just need to find a bit of plate steel... good job the father in law is a steel fabricator maybe we can dig something out of the scrap bin. Given that a little clicker press with a smaller bed width is about $1300 here.... I should be able to deck out my shop with this shop press, steel plates, cutting mat, and a heap of dies for the same price as paying for one of those. Sure, it won't be as quick as a clicker press, but it will certainly be quicker and more accurate than my scalpel for the repeatable things I make.

Chevre is French for Goat. Goat is used mostly as lining leather. And is a good choice for it. Common lining skins are goat, lamb, pig, and cow... and when it comes to lining, the choice should be based on more than just being light weight, and consider instead what you want to make. lamb skins are beautifully soft and smooth grained, but can be temperamental... certainly not hard wearing, and stains.... oh the stains... good for things that will be protected from moisture and contact. Pig is nice, but tough, and has a distinctive open grain that is not as subtle. Can be stretchy... Good for hard wearing things. And budget conscious choice. Cow is the cheapest usually per sqft. Not very strong in lining weights, so won't wear too well over the long term and can be very stretchy because of its looser grain... which also has a strong texture...but it is budget friendly so great for beginner projects. Goat makes a great lining. It has a distinctive but subtle grain texture, is much harder wearing, is not stupidly expensive (unless you buy premium French stuff =p haha), doesn't stretch as bad as sheep skin or cow, and doesn't crease too bad when it bends. A great all rounder. The stuff @YinTx used here comes in a huge range of colours, and is regarded among the best in the world... and yes, I'm totes jello Beautiful work as always Yin!

Ditch the threaded barrel... get you some quick clamps This is mine, same tandy pony. @andrewsejlv beautiful stuff, I love the contrast.

A couple more simple wallets. The first two are kangaroo leather. Each are 3 slots, one has an open centre pocket. The other has a burgundy latigo back, split to about 1.3mm and then lined with kangaroo leather. Sadly this one is a bit of a second... the outer was a bit thicker than normal and i didn't account enough for it so it ripples a little when closed. Might be able to save it if I cut the stitching and move the inner over a couple of stitches... but then it'd be uneven, and it works fine as it is... so I'll give it to someone for free instead.

Aha, guess the colour settings on my screen are off! Haha Thanks Interesting! Might have to check them out.

Nice! I reckon she will love it. Practical choice with the tuck lock too... i love using them, both for easy use and appearance. Which tannery did you get the dark brown latigo from? I make a lot of latigo dog collars and leads, but am pretty limited to either black or burgundy. Though I do see Wickett and Craig has some in various colours.

.... just out of left field but @gmace99 has some youtube vids up about burnishing edges. Veg tan stuff, but he uses pearl glue or wallpaper paste... could be worth a red hot go!

Nicely done!

Hahahahaha! That's mint. Although I wonder if the marketing department is giving you a "bum steer"?