GatoGordo

If you check, you will find a video he made where he discusses various stitching methods and states that he likes the punched holes and straight stitch. I do not, but I still have made a few of his patterns. I just use a diamond punch and saddle stitch.

Your voice only comes across as rude because you are posting in the wrong place. This is an interesting topic, but one that you should create in a new topic and not attack an absolutely beautiful project created by the OP. I truly request that you create a new thread in the general discussion forum where we can openly discuss the evolution and future or leather design and fabrication. I, as I am sure others, believe that the purse presented in this thread is beautiful and one that I would be proud to create and one that my wife would love to own..

I believe that you have it correct. Since the holes are at an angle, when the holes are made through both sides at once the slant will be correct for the front side, but incorrect for the back. This results in a great looking front, but a not so great looking back. If the holes are made in each side separately, then both front and back have holes at the correct angle for their side and stitching on both front and back will look good. You can see an example of this in Nigel Armitage's video on YouTube where he reviews the Crimson Hides pricking irons. At the 27 minute mark, he makes the holes in both pieces separately and then puts them together and stitches. He then challenges the viewer to decide which is the front and which is the back. Of course, if the back is not going to be seen there is no need to go through this extra effort.

That may, or may not, work. A4 paper is a little longer than US letter (8.27" x 11.69" vs 8.5" x 11") so if the pattern takes up the full page on A4 it will be cut off on the bottom when printed on US letter. Since it is so difficult, and expensive, to purchase A4 paper in the US, I get around it by telling the printer I have A4 and loading the printer with US legal.

The pattern states that it requires approximately 17 square feet of 6 oz leather for the large and 8 square feet for the small.

I have seen this question before and there are a wide range of answers. For example, I am the complete opposite of Dwight. My first step is to arrange the pattern pieces on the leather and cut one piece large enough to contain all the pieces of each color. I then dye this one piece before cutting out the individual pieces. I do this for two reasons. First, I do not have to worry about getting any dye on the back of the leather as there is always a buffer around what will become the final piece. The second reason is that I dilute my dyes and dying all at once ensures that all pieces come out the same color and I do not have some lighter than others. Of course, there is a drawback for doing this and that is when I sew with a light colored thread. By the time I get to the end of a long stitch the thread has picked up some of the dye and is darker than when I started. This is not a problem when I use darker threads.

It is always 25% off.

Paloma, Would you please explain how you make the gum tragacanth gel. I assume you start with the gum tragacanth powder.

I use Angelus dyes. I started off by cutting the dye with denatured alcohol, but then switched to using isopropanol as it is much cheaper. I did not see any difference when I changed and I like the smell better.

Proposition 65 was a good idea that got wildly out of hand. Currently, it seems that everything in the universe is known to the State of California to cause cancer. Even Starbucks has a Proposition 65 sign because the roasted coffee beans are known to the State of California to cause cancer. As such, the warnings are simply ignored by everyone I know.

I went to the web site and found several things I want to purchase, but it appears that Ohio Travel Bag only sells to wholesalers. Is it true that you do not sell to individuals.

Is the new thread still in the works or has it been abandoned?

I use Angelus dyes and have had great success with their jet black leather dye.

Thanks Stetson912, that is exactly the feedback I was looking for. I purchased the eBook this morning, but probably will not get to it until next week. I will report back what I think about it. As for Bob Park's book, I have looked at it several times. Since it is over fifty dollars and I am unable to actually scan through it before purchasing, I have put off purchasing it. I will consider it again after I finish Mr. Gonzales's book.

I may be cheap, but twenty dollars wasted does not make me happy. Since ABHandmade says it is worth the money, even it if is peculiar, I guess I will go ahead and give it a try.

I like floral design but have no talent in drawing the designs so I am looking for a resource with which to learn. I really like Don Gonzales's videos on YouTube and see that he has an eBook Introduction to Floral Design. I was thinking of getting it but before purchasing I wanted to see if anyone here has already read the book and has any thoughts either good or bad. Also, are there any other resources you can suggest that would be helpful in learning how to do floral designs. I would think that a resource with progressive exercises would be ideal.