Thank You!

[vaalpens]

This is my first post on this forum, and all I want to say is thank you for all the helpful information I have received by reading the posting from members of this forum. I have never worked with leather before, but I have decided to try my hand at leather work , especially in the holster and sheath making fields. I had a lot of questions before I started my first project; what leather to buy, how to finish leather, the art of burnishing, the art of hand sewing, how to approach a project, tools to use, what to expect.

So my first attempt at leather work and my first project was a holster for my Sig Sauer SP2022. It is difficult to find holster for the SP2022 and I also had some ideas regarding cant and ride height that I wanted to incorporate. Also a holster is actually simple since you need the basic skills, a good design and no additional hardware. This is something I felt I could do without too much start up cost. Following are a few lessons I have learned: 1)Don't just measure twice and cut once, measure multiple time and cut once 2) Consider the thickness of your leather in your design. After I received my leather (8-9oz from Springfield Leather) I realized I had to adjust the design a bit, but I don't think I adjusted enough 3) Always think of the end product and what is on the outside 4) Practice hand sewing 5) Learn to get uniform stitching holes 6) Practice burnishing 7) Practice using the stitching groover

I know my first attempt is not that good, but the first attempt at leather work is not always easy since you have to do a lot of research regarding what to buy. So if anybody is just starting out and want to know what basic things I have started with, just let me know and I will provide list and links.

Following is my first attempt at leather work and my first project:

[Jeff L]

Nice little holster there... just be careful. It can be a very addicting hobby, enjoy.

[vaalpens]

Nice little holster there... just be careful. It can be a very addicting hobby, enjoy.

Thanks for the nice comments.

It is addicting but also very rewarding. I am already working on my next project which will be a matching magazine pouch. Making a mag pouch seems very simple, but I have realized that the forming part and the stitching location needs to be spot on for a decent result. So I am taking my time a bit to make sure I know exactly how I want to approach the project.

[Dwight]

Vaalpens, . . . most of us have patterns that over time we have adjusted in such a manner that we can predict with serious accuracy where the stitch line needs to go.

When we don't have that pattern, . . . we are forced to "form first - then stitch". I also do that to every gun holster that I don't have a really good pattern for.

Stitching first is a shot in the dark, . . . that usually is not to my standards.

Try forming it first, . . . letting it dry, . . . testing the fit, . . . then stitching.

May God bless,

Dwight

[vaalpens]

Vaalpens, . . . most of us have patterns that over time we have adjusted in such a manner that we can predict with serious accuracy where the stitch line needs to go.

When we don't have that pattern, . . . we are forced to "form first - then stitch". I also do that to every gun holster that I don't have a really good pattern for.

Stitching first is a shot in the dark, . . . that usually is not to my standards.

Try forming it first, . . . letting it dry, . . . testing the fit, . . . then stitching.

May God bless,

Dwight

Dwight,

Thanks for the great information. My holster was stitch first and then form, which was a shot in the dark like you stated. My first mag pouch will definitely be form first and then stitch. The only thing I need to decide now is if I want to apply the dye before or after the form. The holster dye was applied before the forming process.

[jessebeckham]

I would say dye after wet forming. IUf you are using water based dyes, Like most, then that will prevent the dye from running. I usually, layout, mold, dye, then stitch. I stitch last because I like a good clean white stitch.

[vaalpens]

I would say dye after wet forming. IUf you are using water based dyes, Like most, then that will prevent the dye from running. I usually, layout, mold, dye, then stitch. I stitch last because I like a good clean white stitch.

I am using the alcohol-based dye and there was a little bit of bleeding when I did the wet forming. I think you helped making up my mind to mold and then dye. This will also be a learning experience and will show me if their is any difference in the color between mold then dye, or dye then mold. The stitching after dye makes sense especially if you want to show some contrast between the thread and leather color.

Thanks for the good advise!

Edited August 23, 2013 by vaalpens

[jessebeckham]

Remember that's just how I do it, others may have different/better processes... Be sure and keep us updated!

[vaalpens]

I have finished the second project and did a few things differently:

• Formed then stitched
  
• Formed then dyed
  
• Burnish the edges before applying the dye to the edges
  
• Wet with brush before using overstitcher
  

Lessons learned from doing it differently:

• I could not use my groover after the forming since there was not enough space
  
• Seems like the color is a bit lighter if you dye after forming, but it could also be that I used less dye
  
• It seems that the edges looked better if you burnish before dye instead of after the dye
  
• Wetting before using overstitcher seems to work better. You can control it better with the leather being soft.
  

Following are some pictures:

Edited August 27, 2013 by vaalpens

[adaman04]

Very nice!