Jess Jones Report post Posted June 23, 2015 (edited) I wanted to share this video my wife just shot of me in my shop. Hope you enjoy and are inspired to hand craft the finest leather products you can! Edited June 23, 2015 by Jess Jones Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
walkingH Report post Posted June 23, 2015 Great video. Can I ask you what brand of sewing machine that is. I love the walking foot on it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jon P Report post Posted June 23, 2015 Great vid!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Neillo Report post Posted June 23, 2015 (edited) Nice video Jess Jones! I'm a big believer in glycerine soap for edging too, works really nicely. Your video reminds me of some of the videos I see on the ThoseWhoMake vimeo channel. It's not all leather vids, but they're all pretty inspiring nonetheless! Here's a link https://vimeo.com/channels/thosewhomake Edited June 23, 2015 by Neillo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Panpan75 Report post Posted June 23, 2015 Cool video!!!! Thanks for the share. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gregg From Keystone Sewing Report post Posted June 23, 2015 Pretty sweet video. I think that most, if not all craft people do a poor job of educating their customers about the added value they put into their products. It's like almost people don't understand what to appreciate or what they are paying for. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jess Jones Report post Posted June 23, 2015 Great video. Can I ask you what brand of sewing machine that is. I love the walking foot on it. Hi there! It is a Cowboy CB3200. Talk to Ryan Neel at Neel's Saddlery and Harness only IMO. He is the best for timing teh machine and he knows it inside and out. Cool video!!!! Thanks for the share. Thank you!! Pretty sweet video. I think that most, if not all craft people do a poor job of educating their customers about the added value they put into their products. It's like almost people don't understand what to appreciate or what they are paying for. I totally agree 100%. Mass produced products are cheaper because they require no work. They are done by all machines. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted June 23, 2015 they require no work. They are done by all machines. Wait .. what? Didn't you just say that sewing OTHER than by machines isn't scaled? And, I would disagree that people should be "educated" as to why one is better than the others. As the saying goes.. if you can't TELL the difference, then why PAY the difference?! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tejas Report post Posted June 23, 2015 And, I would disagree that people should be "educated" as to why one is better than the others. As the saying goes.. if you can't TELL the difference, then why PAY the difference?! Perhaps were people to learn the value of quality, there might be much higher quality products at more reasonable prices. Just an observation, but I lived in Japan for about 10 years and traveled frequently to Western Europe, and the typical quality of most consumer products seemed higher than in the US. I'm annoyed not infrequently to be unable to even find a quality product of a type at any price in the US that were readily available in Japan, where not only were the products higher quality, the customer service was higher. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted June 23, 2015 the typical quality of most consumer products seemed higher than in the US.... unable to even find a quality product of a type at any price in the US ... not only were the products higher quality, the customer service was higher. Agreed. People love to say 'buy here', but truth is the US is largely lazy. They've done nothing for so long, that many think if they actually DO something they should be paid a mint. The labor charge is higher -- not because it's better - because people think they deserve it. I see it all the time -- people have no intention of working. If they get fired , which is rare, they'll just apply for welfare and / or unemployment. Handmade means NOTHING if the product made isn't BETTER than it would be some other way. And I don't mean somebody TELL me or try to CONVINCE me it's better. I mean I can SEE it's BETTER. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted June 25, 2015 It's certainly true that leather is the same regardless of how it's cut. One guy with an x-acto, one with a head knife, one with a clicker die. For those who miss this, Hermann Oak "A" grade (for instance) doesn't care which knife is used - still the same quality leather. Any operation that doesn't IMPROVE the finished product is wasted work (and usually a grift) I can make a double-layer belt from the top grade Wickett & Craig drum dyed skirting leather for well under $20 (depending on yield from the hide, likely closer to $15). I know that, because I do it. If I didn't feel like making one, but I need one, I'd wanna pay $65. Since that's about what I would want to pay, then that's about what I charge. Do the math - that leaves me "making" about $50 per. But all the "processes" are negligible time. Cut two strips, glue together, trim if needed, stitch (the only part takes really ANY time at all), punch holes, attach buckle. Now without going into how many MINUTES each of those takes, here's the point ... INEFFICIENT does not equal better QUALITY. If that belt takes you 3 hours, you're not "better", you're just slower. PUH LEEZE do not give me $20 worth of materials, an hour of your time, and a pretty story and ask $100. Your story isn't worth that much Gluing two strips of leather does not warrant $30/hour. GREAT leather is $9 / foot. It is not worth more because you WALKED to pick it up. I can tell the difference between "each one is unique" and you just couldn't duplicate it. Yikes, I forgot how simple this is I've been busy making holsters and the occasional belt. Looks like I need to go make a pile of belts ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
splinters Report post Posted June 25, 2015 JLS, Thanks for the heads-up on this thread today. An interesting read that lets me know I have so much to learn starting at the basics. I'm trying but will probably run out of time at my age...... LOL ...... but the learning to me is a big part of the fun. Pat Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jrny4wrd Report post Posted June 26, 2015 There is only one thing I have to question. Stitching. I know one statement mentioned it above but stitch is one thing that is worth mentioning. Why? Because saddle stitching has an advantage a customer cant see. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLSleather Report post Posted June 26, 2015 I'm not seeing the benefit there, personally. I've broken threads in machine stitching, and I'll tell you it does NOT "come apart". If you've glued belt layers with permanent bonding cement, then the thread is merely cosmetic. If you didn't stitch it AT ALL, you STILL wouldn't get it apart. There is some stretch resistance added with the thread, but it's minimal. Keep in mind that 1) thread stretches too, and 2) if normal wear of a belt causes significant stretch - you might consider the leather you're using (it aint the stitching problem). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
