JustWakinUp Report post Posted September 30, 2008 Hello everyone, I posted a wallet a few days ago and someone mentioned my inlays needed some attention. I've come across another wallet makers stuff and found something quite interesting about it. Take a look at the image and let me know what your thoughts are about what I've pointed out. The line is very defined and straight. The circle is perfect, so not done by hand. I thought thermograph at first but can't find any stencil paper that prints in red. So i'm interested in everyones thought process about this as this may help me tweek some things that need it. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this post. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drac Report post Posted September 30, 2008 it's either a red marker/pen they used to draw the guide lines, or they might have just used tracing film in a regular printer and rubbed the guide lines onto the leather since the ink won't stay on the film (I know coz I found out the hard way. d'oh!). it's actually easy to do a circle like that. either put the marker/pen in a compass and follow along the edge, or use the compass normally if you're gonna stitch through or over the center hole. I think there's also a tool that's sort of like a compass, but designed for going along the edge using a pen, marker, pencil. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rdb Report post Posted September 30, 2008 It appears to me from these not so clear pictures, to be a red thread line. There are "in and out" shadows, and they don't quite correspond with the stitch line above, so they must be their own stitch line. Some say I was wrong once, but they must have been mistaken...lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustWakinUp Report post Posted September 30, 2008 it's either a red marker/pen they used to draw the guide lines, or they might have just used tracing film in a regular printer and rubbed the guide lines onto the leather since the ink won't stay on the film (I know coz I found out the hard way. d'oh!). it's actually easy to do a circle like that. either put the marker/pen in a compass and follow along the edge, or use the compass normally if you're gonna stitch through or over the center hole. I think there's also a tool that's sort of like a compass, but designed for going along the edge using a pen, marker, pencil. I tried printing a red circle on the tracing film then rubbing it off onto some black chrome tan. It doesn't rub off like you would think. It doesn't appear on the leather at all to be honest. I was able to rub it off on my hands though. Good thought, but didn't work. ( God i was soooo hopeful Drac, thanks) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnD Report post Posted September 30, 2008 (edited) I agree with Drac. It looks to me to be a line drawn with a pen or sharpie. It may not even be red , just looks that way in contrast to the black of the leather when the light hits it? John Black Sharpie on black leather. sorry about the huge pics. Edited September 30, 2008 by JohnD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Windy Report post Posted September 30, 2008 (edited) If you blow up the image , you will see that all the stitches have red lines either under them or next to them. I would venture to say they are hand drawn since they follow the texture of the leather up and down. WINDY Edited September 30, 2008 by Windy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
badLoveLeather Report post Posted September 30, 2008 What I like to use for perfect circles is usually a plastic lid off some can and I like using a soft lead/charcoal pencil with the end super round and soft. Try going to the art store and getting an EB leaded pencil. they work great on black leather. on lighter leathers I ise a stylus or some duller tool to leave an impression but not injure the skin in case my sewing is off. then again i sew all my stuff by hand at thispoint so its not as much of a problem. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustWakinUp Report post Posted September 30, 2008 Some of your thoughts I agree with, but I can't help but to think that it's a transfer of sorts. My opinion of it is this. The print is made on some type of paper, that could either be heat transferable or rub transferable. I find it hard to believe that this was traced by hand, the lines are all very symetrical and the same width throughout the design. I'm wondering if the print was made on regular printing paper, then a transfer pen ( weird little gadget but cool none the less) was rubbed on it to transfer the ink to the leather. The other curious part is that, it appears to be somewhat permanent because the machine did not rub any of it off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drac Report post Posted October 1, 2008 when I use a gel pen, it rubs off by hand but not from the machine. it could be a sewing transfer pen for material though. or it could be a marker or pen and the person thought they could follow the lines better. now I'm kinda curious about it too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted October 1, 2008 (edited) It's a ghost/demon line, sent from the leather gods to punish leathercrafters who try to take shortcuts. It appears on the finished product magically, to ruin the piece, and frustrate the maker. It looks like some type of marker to me. Purple would be my guess, and the black leather has obscured the bluer tints. Edited October 1, 2008 by TwinOaks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustWakinUp Report post Posted October 1, 2008 (edited) This riddle possibly solved. Will not know outcome 'til next week. Waiting on shipment of product. **Possible trade secret in the works... I'm way excited it would be my first ! Edited October 1, 2008 by JustWakinUp Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnBarton Report post Posted October 11, 2008 This riddle possibly solved. Will not know outcome 'til next week. Waiting on shipment of product.**Possible trade secret in the works... I'm way excited it would be my first ! We use a type of silver pen to define our sewing lines. It rubs off with a little alcohol and leaves no trace. I don't know what it's called but it's available here in all the sewing shops. I have only ever seen them in use in factories though. No secrets here :-) We share so everyone gets better. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Davy Report post Posted October 12, 2008 They used to use a pen like John mentioned at college on leather shoe uppers and it just rubbed off , no alcohol just a rag . there is also a pencil used by trimmers that rubs off acrylic canvas , most fabrics and vinyl with a moist sponge or damp cloth . They dont contain wax . Available from bainbridge International , an American based company .they only come in blue or white , product codes are ZPENCILBLU and ZPENCILWT . I think they have an online catalogue . yep here it is ! http://www.marine-covers.com/dbimgs/us/04_...ols_133_150.pdf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustWakinUp Report post Posted November 8, 2008 Ok this riddle is still alive. I've tried several different techniques to achieve transfering lines onto black chrome tan and none have yielded a good result. I've used products from Golden, air erasable pens etc. I've spoken to several other folks about this and some are leaning towards it being done using a thermofax. The thing is , I'm unable to find any red thermofax paper that would give this red line. More ideas please. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kowboyboots Report post Posted November 9, 2008 Did any one try pounce powder? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustWakinUp Report post Posted November 12, 2008 not tried pounce powder. I guess I never tried it because i've not heard of it. SOmething to look into though. Anymore thoughts folks? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kowboyboots Report post Posted November 12, 2008 (edited) Pounce powder is the powder that seamstress use to trace patterns onto things. It comes in several colors. Should be able to find at any fabric store, if not use powder poster paint or even baby powder. Use the tracing wheel on paper to put holes in it to follow the design. Put some pounce powder in a cheese cloth or something similar an pounce it over the holes. You can blow it off or wipe it with a damp cloth when through. Another thing I got to thinking was using the same thing the tattoo artist use to transfer the designs. That could be, as you have talked about, a thermalfax machine. Ask them because from I can see on the internet they do some of the transfers in red. I think they are using a thermal PRINTER not fax that does color. Epson makes the one I have. Haven't used it in yrs or I would try it for you, don't even know where the drivers are. Check with the Tattoo artist they would know. Edited November 12, 2008 by Kowboyboots Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kowboyboots Report post Posted November 12, 2008 pounce wheel More I can't find red right off hand except in the UK, but I know its out there. Poster paint may react with the oil in leather & stain, so don't use it on leather, now that I think of it. Pounce powder has some charcoal in it to help it cling but not stick. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idoru Report post Posted November 27, 2008 have u solved the riddle? I could just send u a tracing pen if you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jbird Report post Posted November 28, 2008 it looks like a template they used and a sharpie. or its a holographic image that is here to drive us crazy just a thought. josh Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tashabear Report post Posted November 28, 2008 Might be from transfer paper... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillB Report post Posted November 28, 2008 There is another thread on the Forum that talks about using an Ink Jet Printer to print onto leather. Could this possibly be the answer? BillB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
