KingsCountyLeather

Knew someone would do that! Should have known you’d be first! Thanks.

Thanks, I slicked the edges with water first and then run a dauber with black dye lightly over the edge, worked out well for me.

Thanks. most people I know want a black belt. I didn’t dye the back cause I find the dye sometimes stains if rubbed too much and I didn’t want it to damage clothes.

Lol, Thanks Ferg. not a problem... It’s only a single piece of veg tanned, I just didn’t dye the back of the black one.

Thanks, I will look into those zippers. By the way, Nice looking bags there!

I’m working on a building site with about 20 or 30 workers. One of the workers made a wheel trolly to carry doors around the site for installation. I asked him to make me something similar for transporting rolls of flooring and I’d make him a couple of belts. We agreed I’d supply the materials and he’d do the labour. I was very happy with the trolly he made me! I handed him these belts in a paper bag this morning just before 10 am break and thought he’d bring them into the canteen and show the other workers what I had made and maybe get a few Ooo’s and Aww’s and maybe someone else might want to buy one sometime? Noo... he didn’t even look in the bag! Went straight to his car and left the bag there. No one will see them! And I did a really good job with them too. Anyway I’ll put pictures up here and see if anyone can cheer me up and give me some Ooo’s and Aww’s ?

Do you use a special tool for the teeth and stop?

Actually... I think you are right! Ive tried and tried to get my stitches looking good on both sides. I mean hours and hours of pieces of leather all over the floor even confusing myself with which way did I do this piece and which way did I do that piece? In the end it is as simple as what you just said. But... different types of leather and different thickness of leather require you to tighten or loosen the pull on the thread. The back of the stitch will slant for you if you are consistent with the pull up at the back and down on the front. Up until now anyway, the cast at the back doesn’t work for me. It causes the stitch to sit on top of the leather instead of pulling into the middle of the hole. But I will figure it out yet! Have a look at this guys stitching? Amazing! https://www.instagram.com/simaprague

Hi again, I was the one who requested the zipper video. I think it’s great you take the time to upload the videos to help new leather workers out. I would suggest that you show the actual process of you attaching the zipper and the difficulties you might incur while doing so? The way you have edited the process could have been done with pictures because you did all the work off camera. Anyone starting off worth leather work needs to see every step you take including the stitches and gluing. I myself have probably put in 100 solid hours of stitching alone trying to perfect the saddle stitch and still have more to go. I think you need to give a much more hands on approach and less off camera work even if the work is shown in fast motion. Im sorry for being negative. I do think you should continue to post videos but more informative ones.

I bought mine from this guy. It’s rare for me to be so pleased with any tool as this awl. I’ve returned many times to buy more tools. Reasonable prices but shipping takes around 3 weeks. Worth it though. https://www.instagram.com/kevinlee4426

Yeah... I follow a few people on instragram for inspiration but this guys work is the best ive found. My goal is to be able to sew leather as good as he does, if I get close to 10 percent of his quality I’m still good!

I think you did a great job on those knife sheaths. It’s a shame your client put you under stress while making them. I would hate that. i have some problems with my hands while sewing... if you’re interested, I bought my awls from a guy on instragram (Japan I think) they’re the most amazingly sharp tools. So comfortable in my hand and I think I paid around 40 bucks plus 8 for shipping. I can punch through any leather with ease. https://www.instagram.com/kevinlee4426 have a look some time?

Lol, thanks. I do intend to stay hand stitching and like you said machines have there place. I have arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand and sometimes the hand stitching can be tedious. I also have 2 leather sewing machines and still I like the hand stitching better, but sometimes... I look at the machine and wonder... and I meant what I said about Ryan’s machine, he’s making those stitches look really good too! if you’re looking for inspiration on hand stitching have a look at this guys work. Amazing. https://www.instagram.com/simaprague

Thanks Ryan. There is plenty wrong with my stitching... I know, I just didn’t show you guys. To be honest, I like to be able to say it’s all hand sewn and if I was selling it I could probably get more bucks for it, but when I see the stitches your machine produces I think why do I bother putting so much time in to mine? I think you and I started leatherwork around the same time and I’m happy with my progress in that time “for an old man” but you as a young man... it’s so impressive to watch your progress and the interest you have shown in leatherwork and also the friendly communication with all of us on leatherworker.net, your parents should be very proud! Thanks.

Thank you! The hide came from a shoe factory and I think it’s nubuck? I will be meeting with the man who sold it to me this Saturday, I’ll ask him and let you know. Thanks. I remember looking at saddleback products before... looked like lovely stuff. I’ll look at their design later. Thanks again.

The circle at the top of the tab. I don’t think it suits the bag. It was a second attempt and I just wanted it finished. I might actually take it off sometime and try a different shape.

Thanks, I was a bit apprehensive about starting this one for a while but now it’s finished I feel a bit more confident and would like to try more.

Great job on the sling! I made a couple out of veg tanned leather for my brother and the first was shaped like yours but he asked me to make it narrower as it kept slipping off his shoulder. I think my mistake was not lining it with nonslip type leather (nubuck). I notice you didn’t stitch the lining on? Will the glue be strong enough over time?

I had a look at your website and it looks like it’s going to be a good one! you are one year older than my mother. She lives on her own now after rearing 10 children. She enjoys her home and gardening and all of her sons and daughters keep in touch regularly. She still feels young as her brother is 92 and is looking after his unwell wife at the moment. I’m sure there’s lots more to your story and I’d like to hear it when you put it up for us to read... The picture of you and your brothers made me smile because I have one of myself and 5 of my brothers at a bike show but I can’t lay my hands on it at the moment. Here’s one of my brothers at a wedding a couple of years ago. There was 8 but one died in 1985. I hope at your age that everyday is enjoyable and that you dont let business stress you out. Take care and best of luck with the website. Ger.

@bikermutt07, @motocouture, @Willie0 and @rodneywt1180b Thank you all for your nice comments, they’re much appreciated. Even though there was a lot of stitching to this bag it hasn’t put me off trying another one soon. The closure idea isn’t a bad idea just the design of the tab on top I would change the next time. As far as the stitches go, yeah we are our own worst critic but it makes us do a better job the next time. Thanks again.

Hi, This is my first bag to make. I was watching a movie on Netflix And a reporter in the 1920s was wearing a leather bag, I thought I’d try to make one. All my own measurements and all hand stitched using .8mm tiger thread and edges painted with Fibings edge kote. Not sure what the leather is but it came from a shoe factory and has a fabulous feel and smell from it. I’m using it for my computers when traveling now. It didn’t turn out much like the one in the movie except the outline shape The stitches went mad in some places but over all I’m happy with it. Still not too sure about the closure design but that’s the way it was done in the original bag. As always, any comments are welcome. Ger.

Your leather skills are developing brilliantly. You’ve really mastered that sewing machine, your stitches look really good! Have you setup a online shop yet? I think you should think about it. Keep up the good work.

I think it’s great that you take the time to try to help others learn leather craft! I know it takes time to edit the videos before adding them to YouTube. I have a couple of videos up for entertainment purposes only. I personally would like to think you’d spend a bit more time perfecting your craft before teaching others. I did watch the video but I still think speed isn’t something that’s important at all. There really wasn’t much skill to this wallet and you really need to work on your stitching technique. I’m not trying to offend you with my opinions. Why not try something amazing? And impress us with your skill? I think you can if you try!

My opinion is that no matter how long a project takes you, you should always do the very best work you can. Speed is not important until you master the skill first.

I’d say a bag load