First Project - Satchel

[Brenthh]

I just completed this bag. It was my first leather project. Any feedback would be great. I'm pretty sure I used the wrong size/type thread (Tandy waxed nylon). Some direction in thread thickness, holes per inch, etc would be awesome.

[BigMatt]

The bag looks very nice. If that is truly your first project, you have a bright future in leather.

[MonicaJacobson]

Um... yeah... ditto Matt. If that's your first project, I am so embarrassed for my first one. Beautiful job. Your thread and spi look good to me. You might find almost any other thread more pleasant to use. When I used the Tandy thread, it was so heavily waxed I ended up with wax buildup all over the bag. Ritza tiger thread is lovely to use, and I also like the Royalwood thread I recently bought, but it's still not as smooth as the tiger thread.

Tiger thread, by the way, isn't much more expensive than Tandy's thread, even shipped from Abbey England in the UK. It's $35.00 from Tandy, and $32 (+shipping) from Abbey England.

[Wild Bill46]

Agree with Monica about thread use, I don't care for the heavy waxed thread either.

As you most likely experienced as in your first photo the grey threads are most likely wax build-up ?

BUT As per BigMatt; If this is your first time event, your are already way past most, in their first endeavor.

Your design and its execution are super nice, and crisp. Congratulations. Wild Bill46

[Brenthh]

Thanks a lot for the complements, and yes, I was scraping a ton of wax off. I have heard of Tiger thread and do plan to order some, but again, there are so many choices...

Does anyone have a "cheat sheet" for ratios of industry standards for the following relationships - leather thickness: thread thickness: hole patern: awl size: needle size? I'd love to not learn the hard way (again) on variables that are seemingly straight forward.

Brent