Instructables or Etsy? Which came first?

[SUP]

I recently found on Instructables, several free patterns for leather items. The same patterns, in a more polished manner, are for sale on Etsy.

I wonder which came first?  Several are too similar to be just coincidence. 

Now, when I want the pattern of something, I plan to check Instructables first. 

[PastorBob]

Great idea!!

[toxo]

22 hours ago, SUP said:

I recently found on Instructables, several free patterns for leather items. The same patterns, in a more polished manner, are for sale on Etsy.

I wonder which came first?  Several are too similar to be just coincidence. 

Now, when I want the pattern of something, I plan to check Instructables first. 

I seem to remember Instructables from a long time back. I'll have another look. You might want to look at "Pinterest"  I seem to remember lots of patterns on there and for someone like yourself I think you could get a lot from it. Let us know if it's of any use.

Pinterest

Click on "Explore" & "Leather patterns" in the search.

Edited Tuesday at 11:00 PM by toxo

[SUP]

@toxo Thank you. I will check there too. I came across Instructable and their contests and submissions by chance. I find all this particularly useful to learn specific techniques now, rather than entire items. 

These days, I am trying to come up with my own designs It's fun. I'm planning to use Inkscape for the pattern. I just attended the Inkscape tutorial with Elk Track Studios. Excellent class for beginners.

 

[toxo]

1 hour ago, SUP said:

@toxo Thank you. I will check there too. I came across Instructable and their contests and submissions by chance. I find all this particularly useful to learn specific techniques now, rather than entire items. 

These days, I am trying to come up with my own designs It's fun. I'm planning to use Inkscape for the pattern. I just attended the Inkscape tutorial with Elk Track Studios. Excellent class for beginners.

 

I'm not very artsy so I look at sites like these for inspiration. I've looked at design software but it's not for me. I mainly use a machine so putting dots on a pattern is a bit pointless. I do envy proper designers though when it comes to curves which the machines can't handle.

[SUP]

 

11 hours ago, toxo said:

I mainly use a machine so putting dots on a pattern is a bit pointless.

I envy you there! Sometimes cutting by hand is a little tiresome and I get impatient with the time taken! Curves are easy with a round knife though. That is all I use round knives for these days. Small to large, the sizes matter.

[toxo]

6 minutes ago, SUP said:

 

I envy you there! Sometimes cutting by hand is a little tiresome and I get impatient with the time taken! Curves are easy with a round knife though. That is all I use round knives for these days. Small to large, the sizes matter.

I suppose I have the knowledge to "fix" stuff after years of different jobs around engineering so when it comes to making things easier, I'm equipped. Let me walk you through a way to make things easy. Don't know how you're fixed budgetwise but for me this procedure more than makes up for the cost in terms of speed and ease of use. I'll give you the basics and if it appeals I can go into more detail including where to get stuff.

When I find a design I like and am likely to make more than one this is what I do. 1st I download a pattern or draw my own design on paper. I then transfer on to the right thickness of wood, usually plywood. I then cut out the shape in wood so I end up with the pieces, usually just the main panels that would have been leather. I then take a piece of rule steel and bend it to the shape of the wood pieces and screw it to the sides of the wood shapes. Now I have a clicker die that I can use over and over again.

Once you have the means to do this, over time, as well as having the main parts of all the different designs, you've made dies for those little pieces that you can use for many designs like the small straps for "D" rings or buckle straps maybe. You get the idea.

Some people think you need a clicker press to use your new toys but not so. Lay it flat on the table, lay your leather on top and tap around the outside with a small resin or plastic hammer. I progressed to using a cheap arbor press for a while before I eventually upgraded to my Lucris Mk3 which I love.

So now I can make something like this for which I have cheap die for every single part.

[SUP]

@toxo, thank you for that detailed explanation.  I was planning to do something like that but you have put it down into proper instructions. I'm saving that information  so that I can find it when I need it!  Someday soon, probably, since I do not currently plan on selling my  leather work. See, there is a wise saying in Hindi that applies to me and leatherwork. Translated it means: "If the mare falls in love with the hay, what will she eat?" I love the leather things that I make and am loathe to part with them. Better not to consider leatherwork as a business until I come down from the infatuation that I have for all things leather, especially the things that I make. At this point, it is what I do to relax. I think I will keep it that way a little longer.

Your bag is beautiful and practical! love the buckle. And the leather, is it  buffalo calf? 

 

[toxo]

Bugger, I had this mostly done, got distracted and now it's gone. Oh well. 

Not a business for me either. Don't think I've sold half a dozen bags in 4 years. It's the challenge of trying to achieve something different. I think I might have a latent inferiority complex. My brain is constantly looking for better/easier ways to do stuff and then I try to pass it on. I guess I should learn to mind my own business.

The leather was part of a job lot I bought some time ago. Most of it I'll never use but always looking for something. This next pic is typical. I wanted to make a bigger bag that would take a laptop, books etc. I had some leather that would do but it was a horrible colour. A kind of dirty yellow but nothing like a tan. I decided to see what it would turn out like. Because it was bigger I had measure for each panel and cut out by hand. Still didn't like the colour so sprayed a light coat of Fiebings red over it. Turned out OK so I carried on. Original thought was a magnetic closer but by the time I got to the end I realised that if I wanted to put rolled up waterproofs under the flap the magnet wouldn't hold it so added a buckle. Do the pic in a min. 

Edited 13 hours ago by toxo