Handstitched Report post Posted August 24, 2014 G'Day, It was our local country show yesterday, Saturday 23rd, and as always, I enter some of my wares in the 'Handicrafts' section in the exhibition shed. I'm the only leather exhibitor. ( I'm the only leather worker in my town and the next). I normally only enter 2 exhibits, I entered 3 this year. This year, I entered a carved Ladies fashion belt, with a Rose design on a black background, , and machine stitched with white thread. The second entry, is a handbag, modified to the clients requirements,a tri-weave tooled design with Oak leaves & acorns with simple lacing, and a gilt clasp. The third entry , was a re-creation of a custom cartridge belt that I made earlier this year. The owner was kind enough to let me borrow it and enter it in the show. To my surprise, the cartridge belt came 1st, and with a blue 'Most Outstanding Exhibit' ribbon. draped over it. The handbag came 2nd, and the Rose belt came 3rd (it. actually called "Highly Commended", same diff) . My only...,'gripe' , was later next day with a comment from one of the stewards, in regards to the cartridge belt. "O'h what such lovely machine stitching" "It was all handstitched !!!!" " It was also clearly stated in bold lettering on the entry form!!" They only need to look at the back to see where I've gone a bit off course a few times with my awl, .....and the odd blood stain. ( 'Humanity stitches' I call them) I was a tad insulted. geez...some (uneducated) people eh ??... Anyway, apart from that I came away a very happy man, and the owners of the bag & the cartridge belt are VERY pleased. All the best ,HS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hi Im Joe Report post Posted August 24, 2014 I guess I'll offend you as well. It was so clean I thought it was machine stitched as well. All the entries are very nicely done. You should be proud and not offended at all! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billybopp Report post Posted August 24, 2014 Beautiful work. Congratulations, you deserve your wins! Bill Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wishful Report post Posted August 24, 2014 Congrats Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MonicaJacobson Report post Posted August 24, 2014 They all look great! I can't imagine doing all that tooling on the purse without getting out of line. Very nice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted August 24, 2014 Sad, isn't it.. when people think 'handmade' should be identified by flaws ... Not their fault, entirely. They've had YEARS of people "excusing" flaws by saying it's hand made! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
builderofstuff Report post Posted August 24, 2014 Excellent looking work. I would say a very worthy win. Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Bill46 Report post Posted August 24, 2014 Worthy wins Indeed, your pieces are excellent ! Their beautiful, and well constructed, even if not machine stitched ! ho ho ho ! You deserve all your Congratulations. Great work ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handstitched Report post Posted August 25, 2014 @Monica Jacobson. G'day, The front part of the bag in the pic, is a 'take two'. My first attempt DID go out of line,( even after I made a centre line) I tried to "re-aline" the tri-weave on my first attempt , but I just made a mess of it. DOH !!! On some occasions, it can sort of be rectified if you start to go a bit off course and not be too noticable , but not this time. The piece I made the boo boo on , will get used, and the mistake will be very creatively covered up. Too much leather to waste. Thanks to everyone for the kind words & encouragement. All the best, HS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites