Biker wallet

[CitizenKate]

This isn't anything too spectacular, but it is something different from what I've done in the past. A friend (of a friend) of mine asked me if I could make a biker wallet. "Wah, shore, I kin make anything with leather." At first I thought I'd just use a kit from Tandy or Hidecrafter. But when I got the kit, I was not impressed. Besides it was black with nickel-coated snaps, and my friend (of my friend) wanted brown with brass snaps.

So I went all out. I used the kit to make a pattern, split down some of my veg tan on my bench splitter, and hand-stitched the whole thing mah-sef. I got in way deeper than I intended, and it took me 3 tries before I had something I could bear to let anyone see my maker's mark on. The photos are of the work in progress; once I finished it, I didn't have much time left on my shipping deadline. If anyone wants a copy of my pattern in PDF format, give me a holler.

I wasn't too thrilled with the design he wanted, so now that I've got one under my belt (so to speak) I'm going to make a few more with some decent artwork and see how they do on the market.

Kate

[ClayB]

Finally Kate,

Been waiting forever for pictures )

Can't wait to see the ones you carve your designs on.

Clay

[CitizenKate]

More is coming, my friend. A little vacation time has done me a world of good!

Finally Kate,

Been waiting forever for pictures )

Can't wait to see the ones you carve your designs on.

Clay

[abn]

Kate, I think it's fantastic. I sent you my email address via private message -- I'd definitely like to see your pattern PDF.

Best, -Alex

[Ed Miller]

Would love a copy of the pattern. Will PM my email address Nice looking wallet

[CitizenKate]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. Someone asked me how I colored the wallet, and I thought I would share the response with all...

The inside of the wallet is completely natural. I just sealed the parts and sewed them together, as per the customer's request. The coloring on the outside was done with medium brown Fiebing's spirit dye, sprayed on with an airbrush, with heavy shading around the edges.

For the antique I use the following formula:

1/8 cup Fiebing's neutral Antique Finish

1/2 cup Tan Kote

About 10 eyedroppers-full of the dye color of my choice (for this I used medium brown).

I mix it up good and pour it into a squirt bottle. To apply, I squirt it over the leather, smear it around, then lightly wipe off the excess with a paper towel, allowing the formula to settle into the carving and tooling impressions and natural irregularities of the leather. A lot of people don't like the imperfections of the leather to show up like that and put down a resist under the antique. I prefer to go for a more natural and somewhat distressed appearance in the leather.

This is much easier to work with than the antique paste alone, and much more stable once it cures. You also have a wider choice of colors you can make your antique.

Kate