Members Twisted B Posted July 30, 2013 Members Report Posted July 30, 2013 Great Job! I've been kicking around the idea of trying to make "bling" tack. My biggest setback is the fact that I don't have the proper sewing machine - and I've never worked with leather! I dont want to buy the supplies, and get everything cut then have no way to sew it up What kind of machine do you use? Do you feel it is adequate? I'd appreciate any advice. Quote
Members Geneva Posted July 31, 2013 Members Report Posted July 31, 2013 A suggestion. Don' t sew the insert from the same stitch as the outside stitching. Does your machine have reverse? If it does not have reverse do not start to sew the insert on the same line as the the main stitching. Back stitch the insert about 3 or 4 stitches turn the piece around on the machine and finish sewing. You will end up with two distinct sewing lines and they will not run together. Quote
Members cmantz Posted July 31, 2013 Author Members Report Posted July 31, 2013 Geneva...here was the problem on this first breastcollar (hence the ugliness of the back side)..I cut both the front and the liner and glued them together, Then I sanded the edges and sewed the outer edge when each piece was flat.. Then I added the center plate and sewed the tabs back, then attached the overlay. Definitely NOT the way I should have done it. The next set I did, I cut out the front pieces, finished the edges on the tabs and glued the tabs back. Then I glued on the piece for the back liner, stitched the outer edge, and then trimmed my liner...then sewed the overlay, finished the edges, etc. This gave it much better look from the back as the tabs are now sandwiched between the layers I am still so new! Thank goodness for help and advice that I received from so many! TwistedB...yeah...don't attempt this until you have a sewing machine. I have a boot repair guy in town that would sew my nosebands for me when I started out but honestly, there would be no way for him to sew tack sets as because it isn't something that you can put all together and then sew at once. As it is, my sewing machine is at home while all my other supplies are at the shop and that is a PAIN! As far as machines, I found a used Toro 3000 on this forum for a good price so I grabbed it FAST!! And it was an added bonus that it was relatively close to where we live so I didn't have to ship it or buy it without seeing it. The machine is adequate for my use. If I hadn't found this one and was buying new, I would get the longer arm. I have sewn all my life and this is MUCH different. And then factor in trying to learn about leather (which I also knew NOTHING about 8 months ago). I don't do this for a living...which is a good thing as I would probably starve. For the amount of time it takes to make these things, I don't make very much per hour that I put into these. Also, there is a lot of competition and such a HUGE range of craftsmanship. You see some really nice tack (Heritage for example) and then you see some GARBAGE!! I was at a barrel race and someone was selling sets really cheap and they looked really awful! 3/4 oz patterned leather on the top and probably 4/5 oz on the back and the tabs that weren't even sewn...just held back with conchos! And she was selling a ton of them. Sometimes I think customers don't appreciate the "extras" and just buy based on price. But I couldn't make tack like that and be proud to say that I made it. Quote Christine Mantz www.tacktemplates.com Specializing in acrylic templates for tack makers **TACK SETS - HALTER SETS - SPECIALTY - DELRIN STAMPS** We also offer custom acrylic templates and laser service on leather blanks
Members stef73433 Posted December 28, 2013 Members Report Posted December 28, 2013 I'm not much help because I'm novice too, but you can sure email me to bounce around questions and ideas. I'm skiing the same type of items you are. Stef73433@Yahoo.com I'm not much help because I'm novice too, but you can sure email me to bounce around questions and ideas. I'm doing the same type of items you are. Stef73433@Yahoo.com Quote
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