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I haven't been on here much lately, because I've been occupied with buying a Singer 111w153 and refurbishing it. Okay, let's be real... I obtained the Singer because Ole South found it for me and made sure it was running, and then I watched my extremely helpful husband get it fixed up. I'm about to start ruining some leather and canvas with it as soon as I finish my current project. Most lately, I finished this camera harness, edge creased with my makeshift on-the-cheap creaser.* Horween Derby on the exterior, and croc-print from SLC on the inside, all hand-stitched. Chicago screws and most of the other hardware from BuckleGuy. Nautical clips from ebay. Before that, I finished up a black backpack made from Horween chromexcel horse hide. Practicing my minimalism, since I'm really bad at that. Before that, I made a small duffle protoype - the principle reason why I decided to get a machine. I want to make some of these, but they take so long to hand-stitch, and stitching the canvas by hand is harder than stitching leather. This one is marred principally by the zippers, which hardly work at all. :-P Also, an apron, pattern courtesy of Ole South again. *Maybe not the best solution for everyone, since it required threading the tips, but here are the links, for anyone who is interested: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brass-Soldering-Iron-Tip-Edge-Marking-Creaser-tip-Leather-Edge-Decorate-DIY-Tool-/181724887923?var=&hash=item2a4fa5bb73:m:mrlRVXFxAGDiX0as75-SLPAAnd here's the handle:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005WAXLPY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00 Criticism welcome, of course.

New Leather apron I made for my shop and also grilling. I think it came out well. Straps and inside of apron is lined with Nubuck. I will be changing a few design aspects on next one, but hope you enjoy it and go make one for yourself. By the way, I am looking for an apprentice in L.A. area if you know anyone!

My mentor's apron is over 20 years old, and it looks it. As I recently acquired a bulk amount of leather, I offered to make him a brand new one, based on his old one. This pattern is the result. The print size is A3, but all the dimensions are there to mark it out full size. Apron sized for print.pdf

Finished up this single leg apron for a local tattooer friend of mine who owns a shop in Phoenix. Single leg coverage, allows walking, standing and sitting comfortably. Also allows access to front pocket.

My name is Dennis and I'm new to leather craft. I've always enjoyed seeing other peoples work. I joined this forum to listen, watch and learn. I am also a Freemason and as my experience in leather craft progresses, I would like to make a case to carry my masonic apron. If there is another craftsman out there that has a pattern for a masonic apron case, please contact me.

Hello good people, I've had a request for an apron from a friend of a friend. He has stipulated that the apron will be used at both a timber mill and a foundry. The problem I face is finding the right type of leather. Neither the customer or my self are overly concerned about the conditions at the mill, it is what the apron will face when used at the foundry (I assume it is a small semi-commercial set up). While the usual chrome tan apron split will be OK at the mill the customer wants something more durable for the conditions at the foundry. I believe that a chrome tan leather would be more durable than a veg tan given the conditions, but I then have concerns over the conditioning (neatsfoot oil etc.) of chrome tan over veg tan. Any and all suggestions are welcome on type of leather and method of finishing. Cheers Andrew

I have a few questions about a blacksmith apron I am going to make for my brother. I have never made any clothing before so I want to get all the info I can so I don't mess up. My brother does classes and events so he will be seen by a lot of people and I want my work to look good on him. I have done some research already and have a basic pattern that he is happy with. here is what I would like some help with: 1. what kind of leather is best to use? I am thinking buffalo. he wants a slick hide (not suede) in dark brown. what thickness is best? maybe 5 ounce? 2. how best to put it all together? can I stitch with a thin metal (cause normal thread will get burnt and break) or should I rivet it all together? 3. should I make my pattern on paper or cloth? paper would be cheaper but I am wondering if cloth would be easier to try it on so it fits more like leather will. 4. the strap that goes around his waist needs to be a little adjustable and I am not sure how to do it. I am thinking 2 D rings on one end and a straight strap on the other and he can pull it as tight as he wants and pass it back through the other ring to hold it. or maybe a buckle? it cant be coming undone while he is working but it also cant be uncomfortable. these are all my questions for now. I will also be asking the guy at Tandy and my local SCA leatherworker so I will have a lot of info and be prepared. If this all goes well and he loves it I will probably get business from some of the people of his guild. Please help me not suck, any info is more then I have now. Kindaki

Hello, this is my first post. I have been reading allot in this forum and learned more than my brain can comprehend. I am 100% new to sewing with a machine. I used to do leatherwork with knife sheaths but did it all by hand. I have been wanting to start a new business for myself and lately getting more serious about it. I believe I will not need the strenght of most of the machines I read about here but I am additcted to quatily products and I do like overkill with power and strenght. I will save up to get the quality machine and not settle for a cheaper version. I am wanting advice on a machine that will sew leather as well as nylon webbing. The webbing I am speaking of will be similar maybe 1/8 in thickness and maybe 1 1/2 inches wide and will be sewing hook bucles onto it and also attatching it to an apron. Let me explain; I am wanting to make masonic aprons. The leather that will be used will not be heavy belt type leather but more like soft glove leather or similar to a leather purse. What what i have seen and plan to go by, it will only be one layer. Leather on the front and silk or similar cloth on the back side, and will have velvet or morie cloth around the border. So my thickness will be about 1/4 inch with all three put together. Some aprons will not be with leather and will be subsituted with duck cloth. Silk/leather/border cloth. I have seen some built similar to this and possibly with a thin foam liner inside to give density. Also, I dont know if it matters but the leather most likely will be lamb. I am starting with no orders and no volume, with great hopes so I do not need today a super industrial machine until I get off the ground and get some big orders. I someone could give me some suggestions for machines that will work best for this task would be great. Here are some similar pictures of what I am planning to create.