Haste Makes Waste

[Mixael]

This is just a bit of a rant at myself to vent a little.

I spent a long time designing the pattern for a holster. I made several prototypes to make sure the stitch lines were right, and the layout was the way I wanted it. I then carefully put my pattern pieces on the leather, scribed the lines, and cut them out. (Ok, so my cuts aren't perfect, but I get better each time. I've only been doing leather since April, after all ) Then, I look at them...I CUT ONE OUT "BACKWARDS"! or inside out, what ever. Anyway, the grain side is now the INSIDE. So, lay out another...carefully! AND DO THE SAME THING!

I'm going to go ahead and make the thing, as it's good practice, but it was a bone head move the first time, and plain stupid the second. The consolation prize(s)? First, it's for me, not someone else, and this chunk of leather is a Tandy special that won't take dye, no matter what I do. AND it's almost gone now

So, among all the other lessons I've learned in the last few months, this one gets chalked up to "Be careful with the layout. When you're sure it's right, double check it. Then, before scribing, outlining, or ANYTHING, check it again. "

Anyway, that's the venting rant, and maybe soon I will make something that I am not ashamed to show Take care

[Tree Reaper]

Line it with something and you are good as new.

[Mixael]

Eh, if I could get a decent (or at least BETTER) dye job, I would. But, I'm just gonna chalk it up to experience, use it for practice, and make a new one when I can get my hands on better leather. Trust me, I had thought of taking that nice 3-4oz I have and lining it. Just decided not to. I feel much better after ranting at myself, though!

[Tree Reaper]

It happens to everyone sooner or later.

[Cyberthrasher]

Yeah, I did that once, twice on the same job

The worst part is, the second time I was watching myself and trying really hard NOT to do it!!!

Plus, it wasn't a small piece of leather either. But, the good news is that it was large enough I could just throw it down to cut up for wallets later. There's never any scrap - it's all usable for SOMETHING - even if it's just practicing your cuts or stitching. Practice materials are never wasted materials.

[Mixael]

It's somehow encouraging and helpful KNOWING that I'm not the only one! Besides, it gives me an excuse to tell the wife I need to get more leather, right? I did put it aside for now while I continue to "get over it". Time to calm down and relax before continuing. (Okay, to relax more....gotta let some glue dry before I do anything else, anyway.)

[WScott]

Been there

It is always with the nicest leather too while you are trying to be super careful cutting

[dirtclod]

Make a second paper pattern and write right on one side and wrong one the other do that to both patterns so both patterns are facing the right way. Plus it helps you have less waste when your laying out on the leather. Poster board is a lot cheaper than leather.

[immiketoo]

Preachin to the choir!

[Jazznow]

Been there, done that, lol

Every time I think I have made every silly mistake in leather working, I find out that there was at least one more:)

[Mixael]

Well, if it's any consolation, my stitching practice on my screw up was almost perfect! Now if I can just use that perfect stitching when I make the REAL deal I'm still trying to find that "thing" that works for me, and every time I do something, it gets better.

Now, who has the easy button for leather working?

And thanks for the encouragement. It means a lot to me.

[Eaglestroker]

I think I did that 3-4 times one day. I realized what I'd done each time and in a bit of anger went to redo.... I stayed out of the shop the rest of the weekend on that one. Sort of thing just happens sometimes.

[WScott]

screwing up snaps is a good one too....just major brain fart tripping over the finish line of a project

[shooter55]

Don't know of anyone that does everything perfectly ALL the time....In the process of doing a left handed concealed holster and right after cutting it and laying out the stitch lines, I see that I canted it the wrong direction. Stuff happens....just chalk it up and use your mistakes on smaller projects. I ended up using these pieces for reinforcements on other holsters, so no loss.

I asked in a previous thread about happiness with work quality. Almost all responses said they always saw room for improvement, which I absolutely agree with. Don't beat yourself up about mistakes or your interpretation of how something should look perfect. Learn and get better with each project.

Post some pictures when you get it done. Always nice to see someone enjoying the craft.

[Sylvia]

I've done this as well. I've since learn that if I mark the top of a paper or card stock pattern piece, I am less likely to make this mistake. Still does't stop me from having measurements off by a teensy bit though. lol

[Dwight]

Sometimes you make a left handed holster, . . . sometimes it is a right handed holster.

All my patterns have it written on each face, . . . RH or LH, . . . knowing when I lay it down with the letters facing up on the hair side of the leather, . . . it is right.

Now if I forget to read it, . . . well, . . . that's another story for another time.

May God bless,

Dwight

[GrampaJoel]

Hey, no loss really. Now you can make. A ruff out holster. I have several hanging in my shop.

[Mixael]

Thanks for the kind words! I'm over the goof up now, but it sure was tough when I did it!. I did go ahead and sew it up, then put it aside. Now I just gotta find what I did with it! In all seriousness (is that a word?) though, I'm ready to grab some leather and start on a new one (that is made the right way), just been having some other stuff that needs done first. (Had a VERY strong straight line wind here the other night, and it tore a part of the roof up. Spent yesterday getting the stuff needed for repairs and today was spent up on the roof patching the damage. Luckily I spent a couple years as a roofer, so had the knowledge to do it right. But I still hate being on a roof in the heat!) with luck, I can get the time this week to make a new beginning. And I feel that I'm rambling now, so I'll shut up.

(Oh, and nothing in this post is a complaint. Just telling why I haven't worked on making a new holster yet. )