any tips on making this better

[Monticore]

i have never held another hand sewn peice of anything and having a hard time figuring if my finished products are acceptable.

have a look , let me know what i could do to make them better or are they ok

grooved/channel/ozbourne awl/ 7stitch per spacing used.

thanks cory

[TwinOaks]

Nice and clean, it looks nice.

Well done.

[Greybeard]

Nice!

[Timbo]

Very well done indeed!!!!

Tim

[tonyc1]

You could crease the keeper. Very nice though.

Tony.

[esantoro]

Tthat strap looks as if it were done in bridle leather. IF not, do one in bridle.

ed

[Bree]

Looks real good. The only comments that I would add are that I try not to sew across the belt as it weakens the belt and I would stitch the keeper just like you did the belt.

[Monticore]

Tthat strap looks as if it were done in bridle leather. IF not, do one in bridle.

ed

this was oil tanned hide from zack white, its really nice , i am not exactl sure what bridle lether is though.

and bree i planned on doing that but i find sewing this leather in a single layer it buckles at the edge a bit. it seems to soft when not doubled up.

and thanks for comments guys, i wasn't sure if my holes might be a bit big for the thread. goign to try and file down my awl a bit till i can get a peter maine or bob douglas 1.

Edited February 15, 2009 by Monticore

[Monticore]

did some searching on bridle leather but didn;t find anything in the 5-6oz area i could use a bit heavier leather and line it with calf i guess instead of doubling to get the thickness

cory

[AgronZoti]

Looks nice…. But something doesn’t sit right with me…. The leather looks really thick the thread should bend more down at the holes so it’s a bit more of an arch. Also I would use more holes I like to use 4 mm space between holes. Also are you using a diamond shaped awl? If you are using one make sure to push the awl al the way so the thickest part of it reaches the backside.

You should take a strap pies of leather and make a couple line on it and try different spaces and threads.

Again a really nice go at hand stitching… just a few small adjustments to make the stitching look perfect.

[Bree]

Don't forget to tell your customers that the belt is HAND STITCHED not machine stitched. Make sure to explain the difference between a 301 lockstitch produced by a machine and the hand stitch. Your stitches are excellent and rival the precision of a machine while giving the added strength and reliability of the hand stitch. You can take a lot of pride in the belts that you will produce based on this example.

My $.02

[Monticore]

Looks nice…. But something doesn't sit right with me…. The leather looks really thick the thread should bend more down at the holes so it's a bit more of an arch. Also I would use more holes I like to use 4 mm space between holes. Also are you using a diamond shaped awl? If you are using one make sure to push the awl al the way so the thickest part of it reaches the backside.

You should take a strap pies of leather and make a couple line on it and try different spaces and threads.

Again a really nice go at hand stitching… just a few small adjustments to make the stitching look perfect.

i agree with the thread it should dip into the holes a bit more. no matter what size hole i use it ends up like this , it might be the way i am tightening the knot, more left hand than irght or and wrong angles, again not sure. i would prefer they dip tino the holes as well. for hole spacing i used a 7per inch overstitch wheel.

i will work on the technique a little it might jsut be that. i am using a spacer on my awl it works great my hole are much more consistent.

thanks guys

cory

[steveh]

Are you putting a trench for your stitches to lay down below the the face of the leather? try using a stitch groover first, then run your stitch wheel, this will give your stitches a recessed look.

[Monticore]

Are you putting a trench for your stitches to lay down below the the face of the leather? try using a stitch groover first, then run your stitch wheel, this will give your stitches a recessed look.

i ran a groover but i am never sure how deep to run it , do you run it deeper for thicker trhead and less for lighter?

since the color is different where i run the groover , if i dye it to match i am afraid it will bleed into the thread, but undyed i am afraid the groove will show.

cory