Western Saddle Bags

[rodeomic]

Hello-a comment on your "sore hands". But first, nice job on the bags. I prefer hand-sewing most projects. One thing I did some years ago to help ease the "sore finger land", was buying a pair of relatively cheap, padded palm drivers gloves. I modified the gloves by cutting the fingers off at the knuckle, (just above your ring). I restitched the cut area for reinforcement. The padded palm acts great as a needle push, and the fingers makes a hug difference when tensioning the thread. I also cut the thumb completely out, and reinforced that area with a strap and glove snap. Hope this sort of makes sense.

Hi all, First project post ever.

This is my very first big project, I have been working on leather since christmas (belts, small bags, a wallet, etc.), so when you see a lot of mistakes (I do) please understand I am still a total newbie.

The Project: I wanted saddle bags that were taller and more slender to hold a water bottle or two upright to discourage leeks. The pouches are going to be about 8 by 11. I made the pattern based on my own saddle, designed the tooling pattern, then learned how to do all that sinue sewing... These bags are for myself, and why I wanted to learn how to deal with leather. I have a newfound and profound respect for those that can hand sew so beautifully! I havent managed to bleed on anything yet, but did poke myself a couple times. After finishing the sewing on this one half of the project my hands hurt so bad I had to have my husband peel the potatoes last night. So, here is what I have so far:

The other half of this is still needing to be sewn, but everything else is done...can't wait to finish but have to wait for my hands to work properly again.

[Bar C Leather]

I'd say you're off to a great start!! Don't worry... after a few years of leather working your hands will be dry and rough and calloused (and probably off colored from dyes)!!! Ha Ha! It's always when I'm headed to the shop that I think of the slathering of lotion my hands need ... and then I don't want to do it because I don't want to get it on my leather. You could buy gloves and modify them, cutting off all but the pinkies or you could just get medical tape and wrap them. The gloves were awkward for me and bandaids just don't stay put.

You're in great company and I wish I'd have known about this forum (if it existed) when I first started. It will greatly improve your learning curve.

[dragonspit]

Cant help with the sore hands issue, but the bags look very very nice.