First Own Design

[bex DK]

If this weren't an xmas present for my mother, I'd have had to throw it out and start over. It was all finished and we got it wet to shape it. Large ugly black spots developed on the front under the flap. Because of my health problems, there was no way I could redo it any time in the near future. It actually looks better for real than in pictures.

So I'm not as proud of the final result as I'd like to have been, but it is all a learning process. My mother loves it and carries it proudly, so I shouldn't feel too bad. She's gotten a lot of praise from people who don't know her daughter made it for her, too.

Anyway, the entire design, both structure and tooling, is our own. The floral pattern is far from classic. Trillium is a favorite, so I used that.

I am posting despite the flaws so people here have some idea what I'm messing around with when I post things.

Flaws I know about:

1) Not enough burnishing in the tooling--it was too wet probably. I am finally, a few projects later, getting a grasp of how dry it needs to be.

2) Under the flap--in desperation, we textured the spotted leather with sandpaper. Looks awful in pics, okay for real.

3) My lacing twists. Not sure how to prevent it, but need to practice more.

Thanks for letting me participate in this forum!

bex

[Storm]

Very nicely done! I like the pattern you created also. Unique!

Storm

[bootsmt]

I don't know if this would work 100 per cent. Meltonian shoe creme company makes a clear gel called Delicate. If you apply this to your leather before you rewet it it may prevent discoloration. If not it will condition and give it a great shine. I like what you did and your design, you will only get better as you work.

Edited February 21, 2010 by bootsmt

[bex DK]

Thanks for the complements!

We had tried cleaning the spots with lexol but it made no difference.