Redochre Report post Posted October 28, 2014 Hi guys. So I finally bit the bullet and bought a cheap tooling side from Tandy & a couple of eco flo pro water stains. This is the first time I've worked with unfinished leather & boy was it a steep learning curve! This is a purse/long wallet I made for my better half. I used the belly section... Won't do that again! Also I had no idea plain veg tan would be so hard to keep clean! http://s36.photobucket.com/user/redochreforest/slideshow/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-10 Sorry its a link but the forum won't let me upload from my tablet & I can't use a PC. I would love any pointers on improving the design... I know I need to improve my edging & stitching skills. Thank you, Andy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
veedub3 Report post Posted October 28, 2014 When I clicked on your link, I got the message "This Album is Private". Karina Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redochre Report post Posted October 28, 2014 Hi Karina, thank you for letting me know... I hate technology. It should be fixed now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redochre Report post Posted October 28, 2014 (edited) Edited October 28, 2014 by Redochre Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
biglew Report post Posted October 28, 2014 hey for a first project it looks good. Practice... try looking on you tube for Ian Atkinson... he has great tutorials like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0EL7K2NhYs or Nigel Armitage both are amazing leatherworkers... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redochre Report post Posted October 28, 2014 Hi biglew, Thank you for the videos but they are ones I've watched many many times & this definitely not my first project.... The stitching was straight until I burnished the edge but because I used the belly it kind of squished which I really wasn't expecting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
biglew Report post Posted October 28, 2014 sorry about that I read you said you finally bit the bullet and thought 1 st project.... Yeah I am still a novice but sometime I do a little edge finishing and then sew and lastly rework the edge Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redochre Report post Posted October 28, 2014 Sorry biglew I just read over my post and it came out a little short..It wasn't meant too. So I apolagise. Thank you for taking the time to post a link for the videos. Nige in particular is an outstanding leather worker, I actually purchased his wallet pack, very well presented. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
biglew Report post Posted October 28, 2014 yes I thought about trying one of those ...just haven't gotten around to it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleC Report post Posted October 29, 2014 Red I think it looks great except you used too big of an awl or something because you can see your sewing holes and they should have closed. I just looked again and it's looks like maybe you used a machine? Either way do you drill out your holes first? Cause that removes the leather and it can't reclose. No matter what you did I think it's a lovely project and I love the tan with the 'sienna' color. I'm sure your wife loves it. Cheryl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redochre Report post Posted October 29, 2014 Hi cheryl . I used a goods Japan stitching chisel & I don't know what I did wrong to keep the holes open. Its 8 spi and I used 0.8mm white tiger thread. I'm guessing its either I punched too hard or its because I used super Sheene before stitching. Possibly it could be because the pro stain doesn't penetrate very deep. I don't think the holes are too big though because the needles where actually difficult to get through. I would never drill a hole for stitching... Surely that would weaken the leather? Also not a sewing machine in sight... I must be doing something wrong if my stitching looks machine done! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleC Report post Posted October 29, 2014 Hi Red. You didn't do anything wrong, that would be a compliment in a way. And the holes are suppose to be so small the needle is difficult to pull through. I'm wondering if it's just the angle oh the light on the picture or can you see your holes too? Cheryl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
