All The Saddles Built By Aurelie

[oltoot]

I've used what I make and have two observations for you

1) you are doing great working things out and obviously paying a lot of attention to what happens as you yield a tool or even just your hands.

2) Look at the works of the many that are on the net and notice the Blevins Buckles. Ideally, the sleeve position on the stirrup leather should be on a line between ankle and knee while mounted and for most folks down far enough that they won't rub on the horse's rib cage nor the underside of the riders legs.

[Aurelie]

I've used what I make and have two observations for you

1) you are doing great working things out and obviously paying a lot of attention to what happens as you yield a tool or even just your hands.

2) Look at the works of the many that are on the net and notice the Blevins Buckles. Ideally, the sleeve position on the stirrup leather should be on a line between ankle and knee while mounted and for most folks down far enough that they won't rub on the horse's rib cage nor the underside of the riders legs.

thanks , i will take a look

talk about Karma or anything else all thoses saddles (mine included) have been built to fit short legs (28/30") and i am still trying to grasp the best way to build them so that you got the middle hole of the stirrup fender and keep the efficiency and the good looking

(and even Al's books do not solve my troubles on that specific point)

so, the way being, the sleeve of the buckle always lays on the skirt and does not even come close to the rib cage of the horse

[chancey77]

Wow! I don't have the patience to make even 1 saddle much less that many! I can only stand back in awe at the saddle makers on this forum! I love looking at them but not sure I will ever attempt to make one... I have fixed several but to build one from scratch just isn't my idea of a good time cause I would surely over think it and get way to frustrated..... Lolol

GREAT JOB! I like the yellow and black one the most out of these pictures.

[Aurelie]

Wow! I don't have the patience to make even 1 saddle much less that many! I can only stand back in awe at the saddle makers on this forum! I love looking at them but not sure I will ever attempt to make one... I have fixed several but to build one from scratch just isn't my idea of a good time cause I would surely over think it and get way to frustrated..... Lolol

GREAT JOB! I like the yellow and black one the most out of these pictures.

Thanks Chancey77

You know, i think that if you know how to fix a saddle and used to do it you can built one from scratch with the Al'stholman books as a back up

I have to admit it : yeah , sometimes it drives me crazy and i swear like a trucker => in that case, i just get out of my workshop and do something else before i really get mad and make a terrible thing!

And i am awed by the terrific things you do yourself too!

[chancey77]

I have the patience if a 4 year old sometimes hahaha the longest I work on a job is about a week and then I need to move on.

Thanks for you compliments! I love this stuff and learn something from the members here every single day. We all have our specialties and I know what my weaknesses are and accept them for what they are:) hahahaa I really want to go to some workshops someday! I think the more flexible we are the better. Sheridan carving is my kryptonite for sure! But I am working in scraps now trying to get a grasp on it more. Until then I think I'll stick to my tattoo styled art... It comes more naturally.

[Aurelie]

.... Sheridan carving is my kryptonite for sure! But I am working in scraps now trying to get a grasp on it more. Until then I think I'll stick to my tattoo styled art... It comes more naturally.

AhAh ! Welcome on board buddy !

I also do have some "troubles" with this floral carving

technical and "emotional" troubles alike

why do you think i "tattooed" my saddles ??? :D

[oltoot]

On the leg cut Bowman, I have learned the hard way that anytime you put the welt someplace other than right down the point of the swells it can be daunting. I dont use the jigs as described by AS and I have come up with my own last minute check and cheat that has made the welt part come out much more consistently and here it is: after pinching and removing the cover and cutting 3/8 from the pinch line, I fold the cover and see if the resulting lefts and rights on each side match and if they dont, I trim to make them match. Thus installing the welts will be easier than trying to match up two unequal sides with a third line (the welt) so that they will turn out straight.

JMHO

[Aurelie]

On the leg cut Bowman, I have learned the hard way that anytime you put the welt someplace other than right down the point of the swells it can be daunting. I dont use the jigs as described by AS and I have come up with my own last minute check and cheat that has made the welt part come out much more consistently and here it is: after pinching and removing the cover and cutting 3/8 from the pinch line, I fold the cover and see if the resulting lefts and rights on each side match and if they dont, I trim to make them match. Thus installing the welts will be easier than trying to match up two unequal sides with a third line (the welt) so that they will turn out straight.

JMHO

you do not know how happy i am to see that there are others saddle makers using their own tricks

and as you said : you always learn the hard way.....

i was laughing out loud reading "I fold the cover and see if the resulting lefts and rights on each side match and if they dont, I trim to make them match"

because that was what i 've done BUT there is a kind of akward moment when you think "ok now which side do i trim to match the other one???? " Héhéhé

cause when it's cut...it's cut

[Aurelie]

Hello guys!

i ve fallen a bit behind!

here latest one out of the workshop :

1st attempt at Barrel race saddle

15" seat and antiqued to look "old"

2 other more to come really soon! :D

Edited June 7, 2013 by Aurelie

[Josh Ashman]

Looks really good Aurelie! Thanks for posting and keep up the great work.

Josh