My Second 22 Pouch

[Brokenolmarine]

While waiting for the barrier to dry, I pull another scrap and the angled Basket Weave Stamp.  This stamp has always given me trouble and practice will be the only way I'll master it.  Practice makes Perfect... yeah, Right.   The key here is a solid reference line and not slipping when you match the angles.

While I was stamping my heart out, the dye finish dried and I would apply the antique.  Apply, wipe, reapply as needed, wipe off the excess, shoot.   Ah, Reapply, and wipe.

I'll leave that to dry overnight so it will stay where it's at unless wiped with a damp cloth.

Wow, that antique really makes that basketweave pop!

Came out this morning and wiped the antique as needed with that damp cloth, mainly on the various edges where needed.  Then applied a sheen finish to lock it in.

Once that dries I'll begin assembly with sewing on the belt loop and attaching the post to the bottom of the main panel, then sewing.  The pull strap can be attached after.

[Brokenolmarine]

Got back to work on it, and it was time to sew.  Rolled out the Cowboy and checked the bobbin before beginning.    Almost empty.  This is a new machine to a rookie to sewing, so I looked up "How to fill the bobbin on your Cowboy 3200."  The owner's manual did a good job and I figured why not fill them all, if I had to set up and fill one.  There were eight, I filled five with white thread since I do more of that than black.  The remaining three I filled with black.  After the detour to bobbinville, it was time to sew. 

I used a scrap of old belt the correct width to keep the wet formed loop in proper orientation and sewed 'er down.  Yeah, sounds like it went smooth as silk.  It did, but at a snail's pace.

I made a small mistake, but I'll bevel the edge and hide that enough that it won't keep me up nights.  Besides,  it's the belt loop, it will be on the back.   

Next I had to remark the position for the hole for the post for the strap that will act as my closure for the flap.  I had it marked, but try as I might, my x-ray vision couldn't locate the original marking thru the dye.  Old Batman can't see so good these days.  I got 'er done, and then punched the hole from both sides to insure neatness, even though the hole will be covered by the post.  Anal... guess it is a good thing.  

Now, finally, as Johnny Five would say.  Assemble.  I had ordered a set of leather needles, specifically for the two pairs of CURVED needles in the set.  I was sure they would make the box stitches easier.   I threaded up the larger of the two pairs and started stitching.  After a couple pairs of holes, I discovered I was wrong.    Okay, maybe the smaller pair of curved needles.  I threaded them up instead.  I stitched up three more holes.    Nope.  I gave up and threaded the original smaller straight needles I have used all along and got busy.  PITA can be my nickname for the next few hours.  But I knocked out about half of one side before my neck, shoulders, and back began whining like a six year old girl who missed her nap.

I did get back out after a couple hours break, and knocked out the rest of this side, installed the post, and then started on the other side.  I forgot my phone so no pics yet.  I'll get some pics and an update later.  We are getting close to the end.  Once she is all sewn up, I'll attach the strap and do some minor detail work and touch up with the dye... and done.

[Brokenolmarine]

Waiting for a callback from the VA, so I brought the pouch in the house to sew.  I got 'er knocked out.  Still have cosmetics to do; and the closure strap to attach with chicago screws in case I need to replace it later.  I'll slip out to the shop this evening and get that done.

Overall, I'm happy.

A quarter view.  You can see the post installed at the bottom center for the closure strap.

 

Here is the front view.  I'll use TWO chicago screws on the strap to insure it's pulling tight.

Last but not least, an open view...

I will post a view of the pouch once I have done the touchup on the dye, finished the edges and put the closure strap in place.

But, you get the idea.... 

[Brokenolmarine]

I waited by the phone until 4:30 local time, when the VA staff would have gone home, then went to the shop and finished the pouch.  I am pretty happy with the way it turned out.  I'm thinking it came out pretty close to the plan in my head.  It's pretty crowded in there, but I'm thinking this is what I had in mind. 

As always, I learned a few things, made some mistakes, and hopefully will be able to remember them the next time out.    I will still have a few touch up things to do, but the pouch is usable now and I have the feeling it will last a long time.  

 

Color this project ... Done.

[AzShooter]

I think you did a very nice job on that.  Looks like a great way to carry extra ammo while walking around. 

[Brokenolmarine]

I thought doubling the side panels would make stitching easier, boy was I wrong.  I think striking a line around the edge of the side panel on the show face and the side for a consistent angle would increase the ease of box stitching.

[AlamoJoe2002]

Marine,

Great write up and step by step presentation. Thanks for taking the time to talk thru the process. Nice work!

Joe