Double Layer Belt

[Day Dreamer]

Hi all,

I'm new to leather work. I like to shoot and wanted to start making concealed carry belts for lighter poly pistols. This is my fourth belt. All hand done. I've been pretty much following a process I found on this site.

It's a 1-1/2" belt with a nickle plated solid brass buckle. The outer layer is an 8-9 oz I cut from a Tandy Oak-Leaf side they had on sale (trying to learn the whole process). The liner is a 4-5 oz I cut from a Tandy craftsman side. The outer layer is dyed with Angelus black. It's hand stitched (saddle stitch) using a 4 cord waxed linen thread from Hobby Lobby.

I trimmed, punched and stitch punched the outer layer (diamond punch), then dyed it. Then I glued the layers together with contact cement. I trimmed the liner layer and sanded the edges. Then I punched the liner layer. Stitched the belt and burnished the edges. Finished with 50/50 Mop and Glo.

Here's the photo. I'm mostly satisfied with the belt. The two areas I'm not so thrilled with are how the stitching looks on the inside of the belt. It's too wavy. Also not thrilled with unevenness of the burnishing that you can see on the liner side. Haven't figured those out yet.

Appreciate feedback on improving the craftsmanship and apologies on the quality from "guess and shoot" camera.

[Dwight]

The blemishes you see in your belt on the inside from burnishing, . . . are never seen in mine, . . . because I dunk dye the whole thing, . . . after it is fully created.

The only thing to be done then is burnish the edges, . . . add finish coat(s), . . . buckle & hardware, . . . send to customer.

But that's just my way of doing things.

May God bless,

Dwight

[Day Dreamer]

Thanks for the feedback Dwight.

If I can, I'd like to leave the inner layer with a natural finish. If I can't get my burnishing right, I may have to dye both sides.

[craftsman827]

HOW DO YOU MARK THE STITCH HOLES ?

BEFORE YOU USE THE AWL.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE AWL IS GOING THROUGH STRAIGHT EVERY HOLE.

IF NOT IT WILL LOOK WAVEY ON THE INSIDE.

[Day Dreamer]

HOW DO YOU MARK THE STITCH HOLES ?

BEFORE YOU USE THE AWL.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE AWL IS GOING THROUGH STRAIGHT EVERY HOLE.

IF NOT IT WILL LOOK WAVEY ON THE INSIDE.

I used a 6 prong diamond stitching punch to punch the outer layer before I glued the layers together. I did that so I could get the dye into the stitch holes on the outer layer. After I glued the layers together, I used an awl on the inside layer.

[craftsman827]

SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE WAY IS JUST FINE.

JUST MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE AWL STRAIGHT WHILE PUSHING THROUGH.