Newbee With Antiquing Question

[BigJake]

I've made a few trips to the local Tandy's and purchased a few tools, dyes, etc, and also a belt blank which I have completed, but it's just plain with no stamping. Using some scrap pieces of veg tanned leather, I've been practicing a basket weave pattern and have the hang of it somewhat. I have also experimented using Fiebings alcohol dyes and Eco-Flo antiguing. I like using an airbrush to apply the alcohol dye for coverage consistancy, but the Eco-Flo must be applied with a damp cloth or sponge, and that's where the problem comes in. For example, a mens wallet or checkbook cover, border stamped, stitched around the perimiter. The border stamping is within an area defined by a cut with my swivel knife, leaving about 3/8" of smooth leather for the stitching at the edge. The thread will be white and the stitching will be done last, so I have figured out that part of the work. I want the stitched 3/8" area to be tan and the basket weave area to be medium brown.

It would seem that I need to guard or protect the stitched area before applying the antiquing on the basketweave area and I guess I could do that by air brushing the tan dye on the whole piece for uniform color. Then I could brush on some Resolene on the stitch area to seal it, then wipe on the antiquing in the basketweave area and wipe off for the desired antique effect. Of course a final coat of Resolene over the whole project to seal it.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a better way to do this? I have not done any reading on leatherworking other than this website which has been very informative.

Thanks

BJ

[jforwel]

When ever I want a lighter color under a darker one I use a brush to put a block on. Either RTC or Tandy's Block Out. It seems as if your technique is pretty much the same although I think the air brush would make it faster.