farns005

What type of things are you hope to make? Thickness of leather? Most standard sewing machines have very limited capabilities for sewing leather useIng heavier threads.

Any tips on how to make a 90 degree corner like this? Thanks in advance. Kelly

Are you oiling the leather prior to or after dyeing? Oil based dyes really take the oil out, especially on less quality leather. Adding oil/ conditioning back before you bend it and it cracks may help.

Sorry may be using wrong terminology, but what mean by slicking is that I get my leather wet, usually by very quick dip, the apply a lather of dove soap and then take a glass slicker an with moderate force run it all over the front surface of the leather. This smooths out imperfections and compresses the leather prior to tooling. I don’t do this on all pieces, but really like what it does to softer belly and shoulder leather. You may get some stretch when you do this so best to do before final cuts. Really like how it tools after compared to loose spongy leather. I know one saddle maker that compresses all his leather with a press prior to tooling. This isn’t burnishing and not on the rough out. Kelly

Your off to a good start!

Sorry I skipped right to second pict. He did a great job, not just for a first knife. Great thing to get to work with our kids and teach them skill they can use for the rest of their lives, while sharing what we enjoy. How old is your son?

Very nice! Let’s see the knife. Kelly

If leather is really soft I will slick it prior to tooling. Helps compress it and tighten the grain. Kelly

I love this!!

I guess first question is what are you sewing? I picked up a great Cowboy 3200 last year in that price range , LOVE it!!! Seas everything from thin chap leather thick skirting leather. Kelly

Thanks I like that idea a lot! Kelly

Follow your art! I like the colors you have done and would color the others similarly. Have fun no wrong answer!! Your choices are what will make it special.

Love it!! Turbo charged!! Kelly

Lol, no just a wool pad. I hadn’t seen this before, but friend wanted me to make it as a gift.easy project and way to personalize a saddle pad. 2 challenges, open for suggestions. Hard to hold in place to start sewing, and 2) this pad ah a significant change in thickness mid upper corner. I have a Cowboy 3200 and almost exceeded it’s capacity. Kelly

Gift for a friend. Other side. Go Cougs!!

Very nice work!!

That’s real cool!!

Very nice! What did you use for dyeing?

Make your own. Fire wood or nice board

That’s cool! I love the dark leathers canvas combo!

Beautiful!

Very cool! Great idea. Kelly

Western shave kit . Shrunk a Don Gonzales pattern down to 80% plus a little length. Still need to improve edges.

This was a little project for one of my interns that is leaving. Styled off a Don Gonzales pattern with a little gusset. Kelly

Thanks that does help. The hide I currently have has fairly long hair, but will give this a try.