VYO

Great ideas all around. I tried needle nose pliers and that was a fail. I didn't try my Tandy rubber glue mat. Didn't think about that. I have to be really careful because both sides of the screw are on finished sides.

Thank you! Was going nuts trying to figure out how to tighten Chicago screws without cementing them in. Ordered a Malan from Weaver today.

Strapworks has these in a whole bunch of colors. The more you buy the bigger the discount you get. Not sure if they are as hefty as this one though. - https://www.strapworks.com/Spring_Buckle_p/sb.htm They have some black oxide too but not in 3/4 inch.

Leather Craft Pattern has a three oval hole punch but it doesn't specify what size holes it makes. Just says it is for watch straps - http://www.leathercraftpattern.com/watch-belt-hole-punch Never purchased from them before so can't vouch for that.

One other thing I would suggest is to take a white t-shirt and rub the dyed surface well before sealing. That helps to remove excess dye that can collect on the surface. Some colors are just problematic but the more of the excess you get off before you seal the better.

You should be fine if you take your time and practice on pieces of scrap first. That is how I learned to do it (as a beginner).

Very nice work! Is the leather on the body of last bag Badalassi? If not what is it if you don't mind telling?

Agree with Chain that this looks airbrushed but a similar effect can be done by hand. Search for "How to dye a leather wallet (Gradient or Patina)" by GÓC ĐỒ DA on youtube. In the introduction there is a list of the dye and strengths used. I've done this but can't find photos of the project I used this technique on right now.

Super nice! The edges and stitching are beautiful! Love the color combo.

Congrats! What a great deal!

Agree with Battlemunky 100%. Start small and slow. Get a feel for everything you do with a smaller less complicated piece before jumping into something like a wallet.

I found a lot of holsters with that hardware but couldn't find where to buy the hardware. I just use a rectangle of leather on the back of the holster for the belt to fit through. Not what you asked for but an idea if you don't want to buy a cheap holster for the hardware.

Really nice looking bag! Great work!

I usually do things the hard way so I probably would have used a very small detail brush and would have hand painted it on. Probably could also use a resist (I use RTC) on all the places you don't want dye, then dye it, then clean away the excess.

Funny thing happened. When I re-dyed the pocket the stitching of course turned a yellow color due to the buckskin dye. What is funny is that when I applied the sealer (RTC) after the dye dried it removed 'most' of the yellow from the stitching. My guess is that because the Tiger thread has a heavy wax coating most of the dye didn't penetrate the stitching when I re-dyed.

Great idea!

Got my Consew P1206RB new from Toledo Industrial Sewing Machines ($995) for thinner leathers and I couldn't be happier with it. Toldedo is great getting them ready to sew immediately and once I installed the machine head to the table I was sewing. It was quick and painless.

Really nice! Beautiful work!

Using Angelus Light Rose I got the colors in the attached photos. I diluted them with Angelus Neutral Leather Dye: https://angelusdirect.com/products/neutral-leather-dye Light Rose Leather Dye: https://angelusdirect.com/collections/angelus-dye-1/products/light-rose-leather-dye Light Rose is a hotter pink so used full strength gives a super brilliant hot pink color.

No, not comparing them at all but I do find Sepici to be a good quality leather for tooling and dye.

Looks very nice. I use a C.S. Osborne 1 /34" punch for these types of holes. Thinking about getting a two inch soon though.

Lol! I resemble that resolution!

When I first started I noticed this too. I then purchased small pieces/scrap of different tannery veg tan leathers. Starting color of the leather is different for almost every tannery. The darker veg tans do great with browns but when pink, purple, blue, etc colors are using on them the result is not so great. When I'm looking for good quality and consistency across hides I choose Horween, Wickett & Craig, and Sepici. I saw some Vachetta Luxe somewhere and I want to try that out too. Along with checking the grain side also be cautious to watch for the flesh side. Don't buy 'hairy' hides. You'll be sorry. Make sure the flesh side is compact, smotth and tight. Welcome to the leather addiction!