Straight stitch lines

[ThisIsMyFirstRodeo]

Hey all,

OK quick question…

Let’s take a hypothetical here: Let’s say that we’re stitching something long and straight like a belt or purse strap, and our stitch groove has a wobble or so.

Is it aesthetically better to keep a straight stitch line, or to follow the groove that isn’t necessarily straight?

May you never burn your bacon,

AZR

[bruce johnson]

Keep a straight stitch line and remember to watch the groover next time. I would rub out the errant groove line as best I could and regroove it before I stitch. 

[BlackDragon]

When you say groove line are you meaning an indentation with something like a compass or an actual groover where you're taking off the top layer of the hide?

If it's the first one I would do it as Bruce said. You may be able to undue the indent and it won't be noticeable. 

If it's the second I'd start over. I would keep that belt for myself or someone that doesn't mind a blemish but I wouldn't give that to a customer that's paying top dollar for a belt

[ThisIsMyFirstRodeo]

I lightly case the leather and mark with my wing dividers, and typically run over the groove 2-3x for a nice deeper groove without cutting through, so only my irons (and maybe my awl) actually pierce the grain. 
 

— AZR

[AlZilla]

Depends. If it's a personal item and I can't fix it, I might live with it. If it's a sale item and I can't fix it, I'd start over.

[Hildebrand]

I have gone to just using a groover that puts an indent in the leather, doesn't scratch or cut the top layer.  I found this works better oops situations and if I groove after I die there is not a white streak to possibly show under the stitches.

Todd

[ThisIsMyFirstRodeo]

13 hours ago, AlZilla said:

Depends. If it's a personal item and I can't fix it, I might live with it. If it's a sale item and I can't fix it, I'd start over.

It’s not necessarily “personal” nor a “sale item”, but a gift for a friend that I hope will also give business leads as he brags about and shows off the bag, so that line of perfection lies in somewhat of a murky area. If it were the body of the bag (already restarted twice), it wouldn’t be a question, but it’s “just” the strap.
I would hope that the bag will steal the show and nobody will notice the strap, but I know it can also be the difference between a $50 bag and a $150 bag. Again, it’s only a gift for a friend, but he’s also a walking billboard. I want to roll with it, but my unrealistic demand for perfection says  otherwise…

— AZR

[BlackDragon]

6 minutes ago, ThisIsMyFirstRodeo said:

It’s not necessarily “personal” nor a “sale item”, but a gift for a friend that I hope will also give business leads as he brags about and shows off the bag, so that line of perfection lies in somewhat of a murky area. If it were the body of the bag (already restarted twice), it wouldn’t be a question, but it’s “just” the strap.
I would hope that the bag will steal the show and nobody will notice the strap, but I know it can also be the difference between a $50 bag and a $150 bag. Again, it’s only a gift for a friend, but he’s also a walking billboard. I want to roll with it, but my unrealistic demand for perfection says  otherwise…

— AZR

It's hard to say really. Can the error be viewed by a potential customer as a scratch because of use? I wouldn't worry about it.

I tend to focus on my mistakes and I don't like something that's glaring to me. Other's may not see it but I tend to catch it and it bugs me. 

If I want to show off a purse that I'm selling for $250 I don't want something obvious showing up. It's my name on the bag and the price tag warrants redoing a strap that will cost me $5 to replace.

[chuck123wapati]

35 minutes ago, ThisIsMyFirstRodeo said:

It’s not necessarily “personal” nor a “sale item”, but a gift for a friend that I hope will also give business leads as he brags about and shows off the bag, so that line of perfection lies in somewhat of a murky area. If it were the body of the bag (already restarted twice), it wouldn’t be a question, but it’s “just” the strap.
I would hope that the bag will steal the show and nobody will notice the strap, but I know it can also be the difference between a $50 bag and a $150 bag. Again, it’s only a gift for a friend, but he’s also a walking billboard. I want to roll with it, but my unrealistic demand for perfection says  otherwise…

— AZR

I've been told the difference between a journeyman and a master is that the master can hide their mistakes. I would redo the strap if i couldnt make it totally invisible. I'm no master by any means. youve prolly spent more time and energy on this post than it would take to redo the strap. A gift should be perfect. Not something you couldn't sell, especially if you plan on getting more work from it..

 

Good luck to you and Merry Christmas.☺️

[Hildebrand]

If this is something you are looking at as a show piece for your work replace it.

Todd