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Nice colors, @DieselTech. But it is natural fibre is it not? I am a little leery of that because I wear a lot of cotton and linen and they always break down within decades - the stitching as well as the cloth. Will these not do the same? About the Ritza, it knots at the base of my needles as I continue to stitch! I have stitched so much over the last year and that has never happened with any other thread. I'm a bit grumpy about it - I need to do some more stitching with that thread to complete a backpack and see myself using a pair of pliers or cutting the thread and re-threading the needles periodically.

@DieselTech I've not tried those. Will do so next time I need a new color. That is still not as pricy as Ritza though. I need to check how my stitching is with flat thread. The thread is exactly the color of the leather, so t is not much visible.

Why is Ritza thread considered one of the best? I have been using a variety of threads, from ones on Amazon to the Rhino thread from SFL to, recently, Ritza. I frankly see not much difference between Ritza and others which I consider good. Some are bad in that they are too extra-waxed or under-waxed, both of which can be managed, or too loosely wound but other than that, I find that Ritza is no different from many other, more reasonably priced ones. I wondered if there is any specific reason why everyone recommends Ritza so often.

You get the same cuticle trimmers on Temu too. They work great and that is what I usually use now as well. You can change angles and they are lot more manageable. @Toffe you should be able to get them very easily from China.

Tandy always mention their sales on their site. They sometimes have good deals, especially on overstock.

@fredk I tried map pins but they are sharp as well. The cork is a good idea. Might work better than earring backs. I think I will try those when I receive my metal earring bases.

@DieselTech Yes. My idea of using old earrings really works well. No idea why I bought these when I had something working well.

I like the hummingbird - you caught it very well. Same with the butterfly.

For a quite a few months now, I have been seeing a type of item to hold leathers in place, stitch holders if you will, for sewing leather by hand. I tried them and I do not like them for several reasons: - They are very sharp and can easily scratch the leather as we slip them into the punched holes and draw blood as well. - The not-so-small backs can mark the leather on the other side as well if plugged in too tight. - There is a pulling mechanism to insert it as well as to unplug it, a bit fiddly to use, in my opinion. - My thread always gets caught on the rather large parts of it. - They are rather expensive at, right now, about $1.5 a piece. Now I have been using old earrings for this and they work so well, without any of the problems described above that I thought I should mention that here. Firstly, earrings have blunt ends, so will not scratch the leather - rather like using blunt needles. The earring backs can be replaced with silicone ones or plastic ones or the metal ones can be used gently, so no markings on the reverse side of the leather. We can get flat and tiny earrings which will not come in the way of the thread while stitching. Thy are very inexpensive indeed - especially if one buys earring making kits. You can get so many for a pittance on Amazon or even cheaper on Temu. I say Temu because I have found the same things on Etsy and Amazon that have been available on Temu for a while - sold on Amazon or Etsy or eBay with a significant mark-up. I am currently using plastic earring stud bases and backs but they bend after 3-4 uses, so have ordered metal ones as well. If anyone wants to know what and where, let me know. I will put up that information here.

@Northmount sounds good and would be great to work on. Thank you. I just checked on Amazon. I will check nearby stores as well.

@toxo, patterns make it easier to work with, that's true! At least there is no worry about whether the stitching holes will match!

@toxo that is a beautiful bag!

@fredk, so that's over an inch thick. I should get a slab which is at least that thick - then I don't have to worry about it cracking as I work. @purplefox66 I have not seen any headstone makers here but I see granite countertop makers everywhere. there are several near the Tandy store here. Not yet had the courage to walk in and ask. I should really do that, since the granite slab I use is rather large and very heavy to pick up and keep away each time. A smaller one works so much better, so I still use the broken marble or work on the floor.

Thank you @Northmount. I should do that - attach some felt to the underside of the slab I use, although right now it is placed on a silicone mat. My marble slab was completely flat and used on a completely flat surface. Maybe it already had some flaws that I couldn't see. I have no idea what to check for when buying such slabs.

@fredk, How thick is the marble? Do you use it for punching too? I had one but it cracked ad a piece broke off. So I got a granite one.

Essentially, it is to provide a firm surface to work on. All the things we do in leatherwork - from cutting heavy leathers to punching to skiving and so on, most work best with a hard surface. Granite gives the best all round function Wood would work for some but not others, same with metal. A single granite slab and one does not need to worry about whether the surface is appropriate for the current function. At least, that is what I believe.

@fredk LOL.

Tandy has an equivalent to Tokonole which they even sell in a similar packaging. It appears to be the same or very similar. In fact, in their classes, that is what they provide.

Wow! That looks great! And it is so unusual.

@DieselTech I tried books and it just did not work. Too impatient, I guess, and I think I am spoilt with getting everything in an instant online these days. I wonder how I managed all through my youth when there was no internet.! These days, I just buy patterns from Etsy that have specific features that I want to learn and that come with video. directions. @toxo I have not made the Monte Carlo but I think I get what you mean. And I agree; several items I purchase from Etsy I modified or added to, to make it my own and for convenience. I did the same to the rose I put up earlier as well - added a rosehip and sepals and veins on the leaf. On an earlier bag, I sewed all the sides like you describe above, for a bit of rigidity. But for all that, one needs experience, isn't it?. Now, I am slowly getting an idea. Earlier, I was clueless, blindly trying to find my way. Still doing the same, with just a little bit of light visible!

@rleather thank you for those encouraging words.

@DieselTech I keep feeling that there is so much to learn and just one life to do so! @toxo it is, in fact, divided into 2 compartments with that division on the gusset. It is not just a design feature. Internally, there is a central zippered compartment with two open compartments on either side. It is a very nice pattern by Dieselpunk.ro. If I make this again, I think I will make the central division inside out like you describe.

I used a rope and sewed the leather around it - a synthetic one so that it would not rot. I looked up rein rounder and I have no idea how to use it! Incidentally, I ordered the double sided tape from Rocky Mountain Leather Supply. Envy you your croc hide! It is usually so expensive I just skip them. I am still very far from reaching a level of using such expensive leather.

Thank you. And the best thing is, I got the 2 sides for a song at Tandy, about $18 each, on sale! I was shocked but snapped them up. I was also not too afraid to put a knife to them to make this. When the leather is expensive, I get stressed. @DieselTech It would not have been possible without the extensive guidance from all the people here; so many of them that I dare not start naming them because if I miss anyone that would be hurtful. Really wonderful people! @Mablung, already started thinking about it. "Phrased appropriately" is absolutely correct. Besides, 'presumably'? That is kind of you. Most of the people surely have much more expertise and skill than I do.

@DieselTech, I will certainly try to put up something then.