Pattern Cut Out Question?

[rickmoo]

I make patterns from poster board. i use a long metal and short rules for straight lines. i have several templates with ovals and circles for curved parts of patterns... if you have a table saw or band saw, transfer the patterns to either cast acrylic (plexiglass) or 1/4" birch or luann plywood. this will give you permanent patterns and you can hold them in place to cut around... draw or scribe around the template 1st in case it moves while cutting so you can reposition it. also a good investment is a Ridgid table sander that has the belt and oscillating cylindrical attachments. that way you can shape inside curves. i also use them to thin or skive thick leather if needed.

[Dwight]

I make my patterns usually out of file folders (thank you John Bianchi), . . . and some of them I have transferred to the material Tandy sells and calls bag stiffener.

It is a lot stiffer, . . . and holds up really well to a heavy fisted old coot like myself.

I gave up a long time ago on scribing, or using a pencil, . . . I get out the ball point pen, . . . outline my pattern, . . . then I don't have to go searching for where my wife put my reading glasses, . . . or wonder if the cat grabbed em. By the time I put the pattern back in the file and step back over to the table, . . . the ink is dry and I can both cut and see what I'm cutting.

The really neat thing about ball point ink is you get a good line, . . . not too wide, . . . not too narrow, . . . and you can see the doggoned thing.

Oh, . . . and a side benefit of using a ball point, . . . you will learn after only a couple of mistakes, . . . make sure that you want THIS piece cut out of THIS leather. You will suddenly begin to make really good decisions in that department. Enjoy,..............

May God bless,

Dwight

Edited February 28, 2015 by Dwight

[lws380]

I use drawing pencils to trace patterns and general use on leather. I get them at Hobby Lobby. They come in various softness but I use the 5b. Much easier to see than a regular pencil and you can still erase if needed. Not a fan of ink on leather.

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/general-pencil-kimberly-drawing-pencil-5b-364521/

[mojave]

Hi, from the Upper Mojave,

I'm new to leatherworking and mostly reading the posts to get a little understanding of the craft. I have brought some tools, stamps (BK starter set), and leather. My goal is to learn, keep my hands working, and have fun. Being retired, I am getting close in getting the wife's (honey do) list completed, but will never finish. When I get 3 list, I throw the first 2 list away. LOL This is a hobby like trout fishing, camping shooting my M1 Garand with my buddies.

I have a lot of questions, but will only ask them when/if the time arises.

This is the question: I would like to know how to layout the stitch line on the patterns as shown in the pictures in Jim's post? Also, what tool do you use for spacing the stitch holes? I would like to make my mistakes on paper.

God Speed,

Howard

[DS STRAPS]

Hi, from the Upper Mojave,

I'm new to leatherworking and mostly reading the posts to get a little understanding of the craft. I have brought some tools, stamps (BK starter set), and leather. My goal is to learn, keep my hands working, and have fun. Being retired, I am getting close in getting the wife's (honey do) list completed, but will never finish. When I get 3 list, I throw the first 2 list away. LOL This is a hobby like trout fishing, camping shooting my M1 Garand with my buddies.

I have a lot of questions, but will only ask them when/if the time arises.

This is the question: I would like to know how to layout the stitch line on the patterns as shown in the pictures in Jim's post? Also, what tool do you use for spacing the stitch holes? I would like to make my mistakes on paper.

God Speed,

Howard

I use a divider to trace out the desired distance from the edge and then use a chisel to punch holes, you could also use a stitching wheel along line to get hole spacing

[mojave]

DS STRAPS,

Thank you, I'am going to try layout the holes tonight. This afternoon I have a basketball game after the kids on the block when they get out of school. Its me VS 3 -8 year old boys. I am 70 years old, the kids are great and keep me active. They won't let me just sit around. They come to the door and ask my wife if pop's can come out and play. To get me from under foot, she says yes, but only for 3 or 4 hours. Oh,

I always let them win. LOL

Thanks again, Howard

God speed