Stetson912

Thanks @whistler, if you don't finish and seal the grain side of the leather you can wet that side as well. It'll make the folding much easier. In this case though, it was already dyed and finished so, I just wet the inside that wasn't lined. Also, this trick will only work on vegetable tanned leathers to the best of my personal knowledge. Cheers!

Sure thing @whistler. When I started the project I had to find where I wanted my tooling/stamping window to be. So I started by marking my stitchlines and then the border of the tooling/stamping window. I then cut a piece of poster board (really just thick paper) and rubber cemented/contact cemented it to the flesh side of the leather where the tooling would correspond on the front. This helps prevent the leather from stretching out when you stamp/tool it. It's important with all tooling but I've found that the basket weave especially likes to flatten and stretch out a piece of leather. The mat board is the exact same size of the poster board and is contact cemented to the poster board after beveling the edges of the mat board. What I mean by beveling is that the edges of the mat board are skived down to a feather edge. This causes any angle which is more appealing to look at when covered with the lining. Without the beveled edge there would be a bump on the edges where the mat board ends. The mat board also serves to add rigidity to the portfolio. I guess I don't quite understand your last question. But I think you mean folding it in half to close the portfolio. If you look on the inside, the spine is not lined. If it we're it wouldn't fold correctly. I basically put some water on it and burnished it a bit and folded it in half when it was still wet. Then I put scrap poster board on it and a brick. This set the fold better so it stays closed better. I hope that answered your questions

I agree with Fredk. A pyro what's it is far better. You can do free hand lettering ot anything else for that matter. And it won't tear at the leather. You can even use a small wood burner like they sell at hobby lobby or Walmart. They're cheap. Like Fredk said, they're essentially cheap soldering iron but have different tips you can use.

Awesome! It looks killer! Looking at that color, I think if you were able to pipe the sides instead of a lap seam, and the bottom like it is, in a contrasting blue color it would just pop. That's just a thought for another project, but what you have looks super cool!

Nicely done

Very cool!

@cjartist, thanks! It didn't take all that long to do. The stamping took the longest. I forgot to mention that, while it's a simple pattern, it is one from Don Gonzalez saddlery. My initial thought was to use some of the floral tooling patterns he offers with it but I decided I need a few smaller version of some tools first. So I did the basket weave, which my dad likes anyhow. My dad always flips his business cards vertical too, so I don't have to fret about the slightly smaller card pockets. So it all works out.

Thanks @LederRudi, I tried the arrow weave on my first attempt and it was my first go at it, didn't work well haha. So I went with what I'm more familiar with. @MendellLeatherOK, thanks. There was some "slick" work on the edges that's for sure hehe. @Double Daddy,thanks for the kind words

Oh cool thanks

Lot of good work

Thanks gunny.

Thanks!

My dad's birthday is coming up so I made him a portfolio to use on the job or wherever he may need it. It's 7/8 oz leather with 3/4 oz lining. It has a poster board stiffener to keep it from stretching while tooling, and a beveled mat board stiffener for added rigidity. The letters are carved inverted and everything is hand stitched. Hope you enjoy and thanks for taking a look.

Mutt is right, there the world leather debut, the Rocky mountain leather show, and another one that's held in Prescott AZ every year. I think the others are held in Sheridan Wyoming but don't quote me on that haha. I'm sure there are more I just don't know about them. Id like to go one of these years

Nothing wrong with that. Is the bluish fringe suede?

I haven't tried it (and it may sound gross) but according to Valerie Michael saliva is an excellent burnishing agent. Maybe try giving an edge on a scrap of leather a spit shine hehe.

Hot dog! That's a purdy purse. Did you line it at all? I like the tooling and the blue fringe adds a nice flair. I bet people will be asking where you got it. Then they'll look all surprised when you say you made it. Hehe

Oh no gussets? The front back and sides are one piece? A Splitter will prove most valuable. And the stohlman method of "welting"/piping is pretty much what you're doing. It's shown in one of his case making books. Bag is looking great so far. How do you measure the zipper tape?

Well that's a lot easier than I woulda thought (well easier said than done I'm sure) seems similar to Stohlman's way. So the bag is going to be turned right? I guess that makes sense now that I think of it, why else would you use piping haha. I'll probably steal your braiding soap idea too. I have the 8" heritage splitter. It works pretty well. They can be a bit pricey, but worth it.

I tried a bag and it wasn't all that great. I'd like to see what you do for the lining. For some reason thats the hardest part for me haha. And I thought about welting/piping too but wasn't sure the best way to do it. Yours looks real nice so far

Very interested in this. Especially how you will do the piping and liner.

Haha yeah. It's easy to get lost in it.

Nice. The thing with decorative cuts is that it is more a personal preference kinda thing. Some people like to balance it out, some like a lot of cuts, and I've seen very nice work that didn't use them at all, not that the artist couldn't do it, just that he preferred not to. There are many styles and approaches to them, you just have to do what you like and make them your own. It's only too much if you think it is. I think your approach is more along the traditional route, and nothing wrong there.

Cj artist is right. Wouldn't take long to stitch them. Nigel doesn't use a machine either. As far as tooling ideas there are tons of neat geometric patterns you can do with different stamps. There's even a basket weave stamp that offers several possibilities. A simple crease would look nice too. Have you ever considered braiding handles? Just another idea. You can even try the mystery braid. That would allow you to have solid ends to rivet to the basket just a thought

That's cool! Nigel Armitage's on YouTube has a good tutorial on making bag handles. I'm not sure if it's the style you want. I believe they are rolled handles. But what your doing is simple and effective. Nothing wrong with that. Basket looks good too!