What order do you do things?

[Pip]

Ok, now I have done a few projects, i keep running into small niggles which I think are coming from the order I do things.

What order do you do things?

My order!

Cut out and tack together

wet form and loose fit

furniture/buckles/etc

dye

glue

lace, rivet, stitch

straps

finish

polish

is this correct?

[Mike]

my first steps is plan. design, pattern fabrication, test fit using scrap paper (brown paper bags), then repeat until the fit is right. Then I'm ready to cut out. I also apply finish after dyeing and before assembly. I make sure I know where the hardware goes prior to assembly. Does it attach to a liner, the outer, does it hide under something.

Try to test it before cutting up nice leather.

[Peter Ellis]

Hi Pip.

I can tell you I see one item as "out of sequence" according to my experience. I do the attachment of hardware after I've done the dye/antique/paint steps. I've been frustrated by not being able to get the finish where I wanted it or by staining hardware because I attached the hardware before the dye stage.

Also, I generally do edge finishing before assembly, as it's so much easier to get at the edges at that point. Not always a necessary step, but when it is...

[MikeG]

I know that if you punch any holes before you dye a project, the holes show up, as it's hard to get dye down into the holes. If you dye first and then punch the holes, they are much less visible.

[Pip]

Thanks guys.