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:)