Making Templates

[stef73433]

Is there any way to make patterns by hand to ensure that they are cut out perfectly? I struggle with my breastcollars, making each side symmetrical. I don't think I'm ready for the expense of a clicker press. Is there a happy medium?

[Dwight]

It is easy to make anything "two sided" exactly the same: cut off either the left half, the right half, the top half or the bottom half (depending on the pattern) and decide which one is the best. Turn it over on it's back, . . . and outline the other half with it.

I learned this trick making sewn leather suspenders, . . . one side fit and looked "right" the other didn't. Pitched the bad side and re-traced it with the good side, . . . works every time now.

The other "secret" to good patterns is using a rigid pattern material. The best I have found so far, is called "bag stiffener" and is sold by Tandy. Cuts easy, . . . almost impossible to tear it, . . . edges don't fray, . . . and you can lay it down and trace it with a pencil, scribe, ball point pen, . . . whatever you want to use.

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited August 23, 2013 by Dwight

[dirtclod]

Make your pattern out of stiff cardboard or the stuff Dwight is talking about put left on side and right on the other side trace and cut.

[stef73433]

Ok, I don't think I asked my question in the way I intended. I understand how to create the paper pattern. My dilemmais actually cutting my angles perfect so that they match the template once cut. I can be a slight bit off the pattern after I cut and I sure can see it in my work. Here's a pic of what I mean by the angles, etc. this piece came out ok, but some of them are "off"

[Stewart]

Maybe a small carpenters square. . Joe

[Dwight]

Ahhh, . . . uniformity, . . . "the lost chalice of leathermaking".

Your problem is really a simple one and can be "fixed" rather easily if you have a real "craftsperson" among your friends and or acquaintances.

Take a look at the drawing, this is what you will need.

May God bless,

Dwight

[JLSleather]

Yep, I think Dwight got it covered. If you're not comfortable doing this, likely any machine shop in the country can do it pretty cheaply. Basically a very small die with a handle. The link is about what you need, but it's simple enough to make one with the angles you need.

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/en-usd/search/searchresults/3200-00.aspx

[stef73433]

Ok, now it makes sense.so simple really!! Thank you so much for input. Add this to my to get list!

[kwelna]

I am looking at your work and I do not see an issue, it looks wonderful.......I am just a novice in leather work, but I have taken to the Japanese asthetic view called Wabi-Sabi. Basically it finds beauty in the imperfect. This does not mean you do sloppy work of poor quality, But rather you embrace the fact that it will never be perfect. These imperfections are what sets your work apart from others. It is proof that it was made by hand by an artist or craftsman. I have found that most of my customers prefer leather that "looks" like leather and has certain slight imperfections. They like that the stitching while neat, straight and clean, still has a "non machine like" quality that comfirms that it was truly had stitched. That is what they ar paying for, hand made, high quality and unique. Again I am just getting started and I have a lot to learn and it is not like I sell tons of items, or I have customers knocking down my door wanting my work.....I also do not do this a a primary source of income.....If I did, that might change my attitude as well.

Also, Check out these guys,

http://www.blackriverlaser.com/leather-craft-templates-gauges/

Just a thought

Edited August 29, 2013 by kwelna

[Tex Shooter]

I guess that everybody has there own way of making a template and largely depends on what you plan on doing with it. Here is what I do. First I make on out of cardboard (usually a cereal box) to try and tweak or remake. I usually also make cardboard models of the item before using leather. When I make a cardboard model I staple instead of stitch. If I am only going to make one I stop with the cardboard template and keep it for reference. If however I decide to make more than one I will make the template out of polyethylene sheet made for this purpose. If you cut it just a hair larger than the layout you can sand it to a perfect match. Now after using it for a while and knowing that I can sell a item made from it, I will then order a clicker die. Picture one shows a first time cardboard template. Picture 2 shows a Polyethylene template that I used for a short time. Picture three show final templates that I used long enough to know that I could sell the product made with them. I know have these pus several more in clicker dies. Patterns are shown on one of my clicker plates. -- Tex

Edited August 29, 2013 by Tex Shooter

[stef73433]

Thank you all!

[kwelna]

I use clear ~1/4" plexiglass for my permanent templates and molds, not a good as polyethylene and a bit more brittle but I can see through the template so it helps me to position it. I then scribe stitch lines, fold lines, drill location holes etc. on to / through the plastic template. I can cut it with a small cheap band saw ($60 on sale) from harbor freight using a metal band saw blade and like Tex Shooter said, I cut it a tad over sized and sand (Harbor Freight 4" belt and disk sander - $80) it to the correct size.

[BadW0lf]

Wow - that breast strap is absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!! I think it looks amazing as is.