Rolandranch

Very nice! I'm into making journals myself. I've made about 15 of them. What weight of leather did you use? Do the loop and strap hold the journal shut pretty well? Again, nice work! Ryan

@blink1688 One way you could eliminate some of that bulkiness is to cut a small groove with your swivel knife where the bulk will be. You could also cut that groove with a stitching groover. A cut with the knife will hide or close-up the stitching a little more. A cut with the groover will counter-sink the stitching but won't close it up as much. Here's a sample of what I mean: (Note that I went over both the cut and groove areas 3 times with my sewing machine to show you how they hide bulk.) I hope this helps! Ryan

Could it be repaired? Would that be worth it? I don't especially want to go shopping for another tree but at the same time, I don't want to build an "expensive decoration" like you said. As I said in a previous post, this saddle is mainly for trails so there won't be a whole lot of stress on it. Thank you for bringing it up because I was wondering the same thing. Ryan

Yes, I've re-invented the wheel before. Actually, I've been wanting to make a saddle and I think taking apart an old saddle and using the tree is a good way to start because now I know how it's put together. I'm planning on getting that encyclopedia soon. This saddle is mainly for trails but I also want to do some non-intensive roping with it. In the future, (when I'm rich and experienced) I'll build myself a sturdy and good quality saddle specifically for roping. Is there a place to get sides for a cheaper price than Tandy's Elite pricing? Thank you!

Hello, saddlemakers and leatherworkers! I was given an old saddle that badly needed new leather. I took it apart but left the leather build-up for the seat. I plan on cutting out the new leather in almost the same pattern as the old. What I need to know right now is what and how much leather to get and where do I cut out each saddle piece on the hide. Any videos on cutting out the saddle pieces would be greatly appreciated as well. Here is the tree: Thank you! ~Ryan

That is very nice! I can see you put a lot of work and effort into it. Are you trying to hide stitching completely?

I think you're right, battlemunky. And thanks!

Thanks!

That's the weird thing. I didn't do anything to make it bend easier. Not too long ago I got a single shoulder that was 8 oz and I tried to make a journal out of it but even though I sanded it down a good bit it would not fold without major buckling. This print I got is about the same thickness but it is far more flexible so I didn't have to do any sanding and there is very little buckling when folded. I think it may have something to do with it being tooled. What do you think?

Leather weight is 8/9 oz (Pockets are 4/5 oz). Thread is 138 bonded polyester. Journal is 6x8.5". Thank you!

Thank you!

Hello! I have recently been making journals to help make money for college. I've made 3 successful journals but I have not made a pen holder yet because I haven't found a design I like yet. Did you free hand the butterfly or use a pattern? What did you do for the inside? It looks very nice!

Here is another journal I have recently made. I'm open for any comments, questions, tips, or ideas concerning this or future journals! ~Ryan

Very nice! I want to make a holster one of these days. What weight of leather is that? The color is nice, too.

That's really cool! What dye did you use on the floral pattern?

Good idea! I'm considering doing a barbed wire edging on one of my next ones. Doing that on the pocket would bring out cool effect. Thanks!

Thank you, goody2shoes! I traced a sketch onto the leather. I love drawing horses and after 3 years of drawing I still find it a challenge to get it all in proportion. I should emboss some of my own drawings on my leather products sometime.

Hello everyone! I am 15 and new on here and I am ready for your tips and advice! This is my first leather journal I made for my brother. The stitching is from my Cowboy CB4500 sewing machine and the tooling is one of my first embossing jobs.

Sorry it didn't show up. I think it was too big the first time. Anyways, I did the same thing. This chink pattern was from Tandy but I modified it so I could cut the fringe on it.

Those are very cool! I have made a pair of chinks that have almost the same colors as yours and I am finishing a pair of shotgun chaps that have the same yoke style. Did you get your pattern from Tandy Leather? Also, how long did it take you to do the tooling alone? Very nice! Here is my first pair of chinks.