Silverd

The leather on the original case didnt respond to reconditioning and was not fit for restiching as was... so plan B became the coarse of action. Project included pulling patterns from the original panels after carefully removing them from the frame and making new from scratch. The frame was stripped and primered. The latch hardware pieces that are steel were stripped polished and heavy brass plated or polished if solid brass. I followed as closely as I could the original leather panel construction methodologies, recovered the handles and reconnected everything together with 277 Nylon and a techsew 5100SE (Jukie 441 clone) and lots of hand stitching. Silverd

Hahaha. Okay... since I wrote that I've made some progress on this very sensitive topic Cactus Leather. it's a game changer in that although everything regarding proess changes assoiated typical vegan leather, it is a natural substance and is biodegradable unlike plastic. The company making this relatively new material is Desserto. They are located in Mexico. Desserto has a swatch packet that I purchased which contains an impressive assortment of sample materials in various color, textures and thicknesses. I consider this product a much better alternative to the popular PVC or PU Vegan leather offered by mainstream companies since it is not petroleum based. That said I'm not familiar with how it is made or if the process is eco friendly so more info needed. In the meantime I've placed an order for a few yards and plan to develop a secondary product line around the material. I'll always prefer natural leather over vegan material but not all customers share my mind set. Silverd

Sure. Don Earl 2601 Pyrite Place Oxnard. California 93030

Hi Forgot to answer your narrow needle foot question. I have not but read something about it. Are you selling them? Don

Hahaha...I actually work with a Chinese mechanical engineer who is an off-shore sourcing expert and is willing to help! I'll keep you up-dated on my progress. That said, Techsew might be the reasonable alternative to "rolling the dice" with an unknown Alibaba supplier but we will make a few calls. Thanks for your input Silverd

The Alibama sourced machines not ready for most consumers are you saying? There should be at least one or two of them that have it together.... Right side it is!. Good tip that I never would have anticipated. Yes, a big bag! Took on the project as a repair / recondition job but the original leather was too far gone so I'm restoring completely. Replated or polished original hardware. Re-wraping the handles and top rails with leather have been the highlights of the project. Down to final assembly which will include hand stitching the 4 corner protectors into place and joining the frame to the trunk body. Still don't know how I'm going to do that yet! Best of Season Wishes 9 Silverd

A small hand bag I'm working to complete between our conversations! Silverd

Very helpful the Alabama links. Thank you Name brand machines very expensive. Have you purchased / used a Chinese non name brand manufacturer? Most sewers today come out of China most I understand. And the China folks are quite capable of making exceptional products, but like anything else there are the good and the bad. Also, left or right side needle...any preference that I'm missing? Silverd

Reality good info. Thank you! It makes sense the work height of a tall post is at standing level. Agree it's a minor issue. Techsew makes a tall post version. Who else might I look at? Thanks again Silverd

Understand. I'm in info collection mode and appreciate your advise. That said... I think I understand your argument for the taller post. Reference Techsew 85017. Is there a down side of the tall post machine architecture or loss of function compared with a short post? What about the power presser roller feed vers walking foot? Recommendation? Thank you in advance, Silverd

So, you are suggesting a 17" post vs something shorter? Also, needle as close to edge as possible. Nice bag btw! Silverd

Wow! Great information. Many thanks. I'm going to move my LANDIS 16 out since im not using it and a postbed in for bag work. Silverd

Looking for a post bed for handbag sewing. Silverd

I'm not sure it matters. I use them both, the saddle oil may not darken as much but only slightly. The objective is to use the oil as a carrier for the dye to obtain slightly deeper penetration into the leather than the dye on its own would go. Some dyes, when applied in sufficient quatity will go too dark for my liking. When I spray apply light coatings, the dye will sometimes sit on the surface. When the final product is say "scratched" by the user, the natural color underneath is exposed. The deeper the penetration the better. This is the down side of using natural vegtan instead of aniline leather. I think if water base dye were used, dampening the leather first with water would have the same effect...but I rarely use water base dyes...mabey I should! And, every leather is unique so it's impossible to adopt only one process. Another consideration is the color of the dye. For instance RED PRO dye can be applied quite heavily without it going dark and therefore does not require pretreatment. Love that. But BLUE PRO dye will turn almost black if applied heavy. Lots of fun! Silverd

With Saddle or neadsfoot oil. Silver

My gosh man, absolutely beautiful work. Silverd

Pro dye is an alcohol / oil base liquid. So, I'm not sure how using water to help the dye migrate through the grain of the leather is a good solution...but if it works!. Alcohol is water compatible however, the oil is not and the oil is the carrier of the Dye. I've have used either nothing or Goof Proof in the past but recently started applying saddle oil to the grain surface before dying using pro dye (which I typically spray on). Both the oil and the Goof Proof serve to prepare the leather to receive the Dye and even out the absorption. I would also say the process reduces how dark the results will be. This can be helpful for dyes that tend to go dark...like Dark Brown or Mahagony. The spray process is very controllable and allows me to create various finish values using the same dye and on the same piece. Darker along the edges provides an element of Faux patina that suggests the product has aged. I will spray adjacent panels at the same time as they appear in the final assembly. This allows me to carry the faux shading across both pieces which really looks nice in the final product. For those thinking this is a lot of work given the gun cleaning etc...I typically leave dye in a gun for several weeks before it will need flushing with Acetone and possibly tear down. I usually have at least two guns running different shades to support multiple projects simultaneously. I also spray water base contact cement that I use to laminate. Love the spray gun! Black Dye is difficult to keep from cross contaminating Red Dye is the easiest to work with and to keep uniform Blue Dye will turn Purple if applied too well Light brown base with dark brown edging can make a new piece look very aged Hope this helps! Silverd

Hi Is this still available? Silverd

My goal is to remake the case with fresh leather and secure stitching regardless of stitch style. I'm not focused on stitching persay. My original inquiry was to understand if a special sewing machine was used to make this case...the stitching is the only remaining tell. Thank you Silverd

I was hoping to minimize hand stitching to the finishing runs at each corner and the corner pads. But hand stitching would make the best looking results. Silverd

Hello Helpful Folks Can anyone help me identify this type of stitching? What kind or type of sewing machine makes this stitch? Image is from a vintage leather Doctor style bag or suit case that I'm remaking around the existing hardware. It appears to me that the leather panels were stitched together using a unique machine...Possibly a post bed or??? Certainly some hand stitching seems to have been used but its not totally clear? A lot of these cases were made and there was likely special machines used in the manufacturing process. Anyone have information? Thank you in advance! Silverd

Hi I'm interested in it's purchase if still available. Silverd. 805 701 3990

You are right,,,I sent them and inquiry. Thank you Silver

Do you have more accurate contact information re Tiger-Touch??? I'm not finding them or able to contact. Thanks! Silverd

Ebay suppliers have always been my go to for Pro Dye in quarts. Silverd