"No One Will Notice!"

[mendedbowl]

You do beautiful work...and now I know why. every detail is important to you.

If i were you this is what i would do:

First i would take out the stitches where the dye darkened it, and restitch that part and see how it looks.

If that didn't look good i would take out all the stitches in the black leather and redo that.

If i was still unhappy after that, i would remake the whole project for the customer, and keep the first one (which would now be stain free) for the flea market or gun show table.

ken

[DuaneBallard]

I would fix it. If it bothers you then it's worth fixing. Don't put anything out that you wouldn't want for yourself.

[GrampaJoel]

I once completely ripped out and re-sewed a leg on a pair of chinks because I was unhappy with two stitches that were on angles compared to the rest on the outside seam stitching.

So I don't think you are being anal at all.

If you strive for perfection, than that is a personal decision.

Your work is beautiful. I don't think most novices would notice a thing like you have pointed out. Even if they did they might not even have an opinion about it and just except it as being what it is.

But if you need it restitched, than don't hesitate to satisfy yourself. I never let anything go out of the shop that I personally an not satisfied with.

Even when my wife says, 'oh honey I don't think anyone would care but you'.

[robs456]

It would probably take shorter time to restitch the thing than to read this thread...

[alb]

That's what I would do, considering it's on the back. If it was the front it would be a whole 'nuther story. I recently remade a belt because I got a very light thumbprint of darker dye on the finished belt. The rest of the belt was gorgeous, and as soon as I did it I realized it and did a quick clean of the area, but there was still this very faint thumbprint that probably no one else would see. I didn't want to re-dye a darker shade so I remade the belt.

Ann

You mean the dye that got on the stitching? Honestly I might just dye all of the stitching on the back and make it look like I did it on purpose--then again, my specialty is making leather look all kinds of messed up

[particle]

It would probably take shorter time to restitch the thing than to read this thread...

LOL - true enough. My wife told me I was not allowed to remove the stitches until I got some second opinions, so in the interest of a happy home, this thread was born...

I appreciate all the feedback everyone - dying the thread on the back sounds like the easiest fix, though I'm a tad afraid the dye might bleed over onto the top thread. Still open to this approach though...

One thing I'm afraid of with ripping out the stitches and re-stitching it is whether or not the holes will close back up at this point since the leather has already hardened from its time in the oven, thus not adequately securing the thread in the holes. Anyone have any experience with re-stitching a holster at this point in the game? Since it was machine stitched, I'll probably have to use an awl to enlarge the holes enough to hand stitch it, correct?

[gregintenn]

THe cool thing about handmade items is that customers expect to see flaws and imperfections, no matter how small. They're what makes handmade items different from items spit off an assembly line.

[jetman1981]

Eric, if it bothers you enough to post the question on here, then it will bother you until you make it right. Even if the customer says it is OK.....it is still your work on his hip. Just my 2 cents worth.

[dirtclod]

I have took all the sticihes out and resewed before, when it didn't look to suit me. So i feel your pain. I want what i make to be the best i can make period ! But i have had a couple of pices that had a spot that wouldn't take dye. I sold them in person and showed them the spot and took some money off if they wanted it. I think from now i am going to mark them with a 2 to show that their seconds. Not good enough to sell as a number one but to good to cut up and trash and i have cut some up to.

Edited November 30, 2010 by dirtclod

[RobDude30]

As others have stated, your work is always beautiful. If it were me, I would probably carefully dye the rest of the thread on the back only with a small paintbrush to keep it from bleeding through to the front and then sell it on your website as an in stock item. You could still get full price as you would supply pictures up front and the customer would know exactly what they were getting (and would never know the difference). I would re-make another for the original customer because he/she is probably expecting white thread.

Just my .02