Laying Out Pattern On Leather?

[Deanimator]

How do people lay out their pattern on the leather? I just use a ballpoint pen on the back side.

Does anyone do something different?

[bigo5552000]

I use a ballpoint on the front side..

[Hicks02]

I use a pencil. One of those big fat ones or a carpenter's pencil. I don't like to use a ballpoint pen because I might get ink where I don't want it. Pencils that have soft lead don't seem to mark the leather as much and the unwanted lines are easy to get rid of. that just my thought. JH

Edited September 20, 2010 by Hicks02

[Deanimator]

I use a ballpoint on the front side..

I try to do it on the back, but every once in a while and forget and do it on the front. I dye all of my holsters so it doesn't really matter.

I use a pencil. One of those big fat ones or a carpenter's pencil. I don't like to use a ballpoint pen because I might get ink where I don't want it. Pencils that have soft lead don't seem to mark the leather as much and the unwanted lines are easy to get rid of. that just my thought. JH

I tried using a mechanical pencil, but the lead just broke off on the back side. I may try to use something like a regular wooden HB pencil and see how that works.

Thanks.

[dirtclod]

I use a pencil or scratch awl on the front. If you use a ink pen and get the line in the wrong place it's there !! You can dye it but you can still see the line. I had a guy bring a holster in that he wanted sewed. It was dyed black and asked him why he used a ink pen to mark the pattern and he told me you couldn't see after it was dyed. Then i showed him the ink pen line. You can see it no matter if it's dyed or not.

Edited September 20, 2010 by dirtclod

[Deanimator]

I use a pencil or scratch awl on the front. If you use a ink pen and get the line in the wrong place it's there !! You can dye it but you can still see the line. I had a guy bring a holster in that he wanted sewed. It was dyed black and asked him why he used a ink pen to mark the pattern and he told me you couldn't see after it was dyed. Then i showed him the ink pen line. You can see it no matter if it's dyed or not.

I wonder what he used to dye it and how. I use the EcoFlo Buffalo Brown and no pen marks are visible. Of course I don't lean on the pen. I also use a minimum of three coats.

[gregintenn]

#2 wooden pencil on the front.

[dirtclod]

I wonder what he used to dye it and how. I use the EcoFlo Buffalo Brown and no pen marks are visible. Of course I don't lean on the pen. I also use a minimum of three coats.

Looks to me like you spending money and time on something that could be avoided if you used a pencil or a awl. JMO

I'm don't know what brand of dye he used or how many coats. He didn't lay on the ink pen just made a mark. Have you ever held your holster under a light to see if you can see the marks ?

[Deanimator]

Have you ever held your holster under a light to see if you can see the marks ?

Yes, no marks. I use three coats because that's what gives me a proper finish. It has nothing to do with ink.

[King's X]

I learned my lesson about light color dyes and pen on the front. I now make a pattern out of poster board for all pieces and use a scratch to lightly scratch my line. I then cut, tool and dye before cutting the pieces out. It works for me.

I hope this helps.