A pouch for my daughter

[Brokenolmarine]

Oh, in case someone was wondering.  The wood block in the upper right of the lime green pic holds pill cups.  THEY hold the dye.  PILL cups turn over EASY and can ruin a project.  (They also hold mixed paint, Watco Oil and other things that ruin projects.)  I saw the cup block on a you tube video and made one the next morning.   I think I might add a couple small holes in the block that will hold a couple paint brushes and an acid brush vertically.  You know, stick the NON bristle end in the block... 

Edited June 24, 2022 by Brokenolmarine

[Brokenolmarine]

I sent the pics to my daughter after the dye was done and she loved the improved green, agreed that it really popped and was thrilled.  The orange however... blech.  She didn't like that at all.  I sent her a new pic this morning when both of the dye'd pieces had dried fully and she said, still looks like dried baby.. um.  She still didn't like the color.  I told her I'd dye it red, and if that didn't work, black. 

I sent her the pic of the piece dyed red.  She loved it.  "Like the blood of my enemies," she texted back.  That's my girl!

 

I may dye the red again tomorrow to get a darker deeper red, we'll see.

I am looking forward to starting on the actual assembly.  Never done it before.  This type of build will be a learning process.  Fail, and count it as practice and start over with Veg Tan.

[Sheilajeanne]

Pill cups, wood block. You've already figured out stuff many of us figured out only by trial and error. Very messy error! 

I'm impressed by your advanced planning and methodical approach to your work! 

Looking forward to seeing the final result!

[Brokenolmarine]

Back at it to begin the build.  First step is to try and fold.  Groovy.. yup, use the grooving tool.  This cuts the V shaped tool to allow the fold, but have to wet the leather to keep it from cracking.  I make several passes to prevent tearing.  Don't ask me how I know this... 

 

 

It takes a lot of grooves to allow the test folds to see the pouch.  A LOT of grooves.

 

 

Edited June 25, 2022 by Brokenolmarine

[Brokenolmarine]

Once all the grooves were cut, I wet the grooves and then attempted the fold.  It actually worked pretty well, and allowed me to see I wasn't going to be able to use the extra 1/8" sewing area, so I trimmed it off.  I cut a notch for the bottom and will definitely be sewing the bottom and sides by hand with a curved needle. 

 

 

 

Ignore the bruise on the back of my hand.  For some reason a light touch bruises me up.  Sucks being old.  I got that taking shirts out of the dryer.  

[Brokenolmarine]

Next I was going to build the strips to hold the D-rings which I'll sew at the upper edge of the back of the pouch.  That is how the kid wants them.  It's the way she wears the pouch, like a messenger bag.  So, I gather up the tools I need.  I measure the inside of the D-ring, 7/8 of an inch, and set the strip cutter.  Cool little deal.  Nothing fancy.  Make sure I have the clamps, and the contact cement.

 

 

Zip, I make the cut and then mark the back of the strip for cutting across to make to loops and then applying the contact cement.  I need to leave the area for the D-rings glue free so they will move freely, and have glue on both ends of the two 3" strips.  Git R Done.

 

[Brokenolmarine]

The D-rings are glued and Clamped to set up... Sweet.

 

 

 

 

[Brokenolmarine]

Next I refold the pouch and mark where the flap hits so I can apply glue to the two pieces of velcro, AND the locations on the pouch.    Yeah, good luck with that.

I make my marks and hope for the best.  I will glue the squares down now, and when I sew on the D-rings, I'll sew down the velcro as well.  This way I don't have to try and HOLD the velcro with pins nor worry about it pulling or shifting if it was only sewn.

 

 

Of course, I glued the front panel as well.

 

This was enough for now.  I shut down the shop and let the work set up.  I got some inspiration from my pup, Princess Fiona when I went inside.  She had a great idea.

 

[Brokenolmarine]

Hopefully will work on this tomorrow.  Watched vids on box stitching if I get that far.  The Cowboy and I will sew the D-Rings and velcro at least. 

 

First, I have to wait for my mechanic to call.  I am in the process of building my private shooting range.  The berm wall is done, it will contain the dirt berm.  The dirt berm will have a base of dirt filled interlocking used tires.  None of the tires will be exposed, they will be covered with dirt, but will help strengthen the base.

I'll go pick up a trailer full of used tires tomorrow.  No charge.  Drop the trailer back by the berm.

Then, back to the leather.

Edited June 26, 2022 by Brokenolmarine

[Brokenolmarine]

Well, I waited all day for the call, but nothing.  NO idea what might have happened.  At about 3pm I gave up and went out to the shop to work.  I started by sewing the velcro HOOKS on the flap portion of the pouch.  This way if they get weak they can be cut off and replaced.  It's unlikely they will wear out before she wears out the pouch itself.   This is really only the second time using the new machine... so I don't feel like it was too bad.

 

 

Here is a view of the inside of the flap.  You'll note that I dyed the inside of the flap as well.  Once I have finished all the sewing to be done, I'll dye the stitches.  I have ordered a Red Cross Medical Patch for the flap To cover the outside stitching.  Once that is sewn on, I'll dye this thread black.

 

 

This will be covered with a Red Cross Patch that Glows Green in the Dark to help Jess Find Pouch in an Emergency.