What to do with these H.O. trimmings? Or, trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear...

[YinTx]

So, I had these extra bits of very thin Hermann Oak leather that I didn't want to just toss in the bin.  I have always wanted to try my hand at a nice bifold pocket wallet with turned edges, and ribbon pockets... so I thought what the heck, I'll give it a go.  Here's the result...not the silk purse I had quite pictured in my mind's eye, but useable.  A lot of little errors that sum up to a not perfect item, but I learned a lot.  I think I might not ever make another one either... this was a pain in the rear!  At least not unless someone offered me the right amount of $$, and I don't see that happening, since this didn't turn out so awesome....

Technical details:  my own blend of fiebeng's dyes... 35/3 Coats Barbour linen thread, hand stitched at 10 spi, Hermann Oak Leather 1 to 2 oz, batik hand dyed cloth liner.

difficulties with uploads.. apparently 187kb exceeds the size limits....

YinTx

[YinTx]

 

YinTx

[YinTx]

[bikermutt07]

I like it. Is that color burgandy?

[YinTx]

Not really a burgundy.  Its several colors, but primarily red with some browns blended.  Hard to illustrate with photos, which don't do the color justice.  The dark browns tend to highlight distresses in the leather, the reds make it pop.  It morphs depending on the light, more dark burgundy/maroon in the low lights, reds in the sunlight.  It isn't easy is impossible to do it consistently, so I rarely show it to folks, because when they see it thats the color they want lol.  I can't blame them, it really is neat in person, and I tend to do it for things I will keep myself, like this wallet.

It looks good with a variety of thread colors, but I have tended to use creams, and in this case, black.

YinTx

[bikermutt07]

It's really a beautiful color. Are you mixing them or applying different colors in layers?

[Wedgetail]

For a pile of leather in the scrap bin, I'd think you would have to be pretty happy with that!

I had a crack at making a wallet with turned edges like this recently... it's back to the drawing board on that one, and I'm not in a hurry to start again. I know what you mean about it being a pain!

[RockyAussie]

I hope your not serious about not doing any more. I think it shows a pretty good progression. I would have liked the card pockets to have a 1/4" or so drop in T style but if thinning is a problem I guess its Ok for now. Next when I trim the outer skin before folding I use a about 1/4" key steel to put against the edge.Careful not to slice any fingertips off.

Once this is trimmed off nice and straight (if a bit fluffy singe it off with a lighter)I then colour it before folding. When folding by hand pull firmly over the part that is thickest first then hold back a bit on where it is thinnest.Takes a fair bit of practice to get looking straight but I will see it and continue to point it out if you don't. If you don't already have a roller line marker use a wooden ruler and with your bone slicker rub up and down barely touching the folded edge. Makes it look a bit straighter. Best Regards Brian

[YinTx]

Brian,

As WedgeTail said, it's back to the drawing board on this one for me.  It was a challenging piece for me to make, and ended up with a couple of "fatal flaws."  I could see making a few more and perfecting it, but I fail to see a market that would support the effort, since there are sooooo many wallets for sale in every clothing store you could imagine.

Now, I'm all for learning and improving myself, so from that perspective, I might consider doing it again.  I'm trying to visualize what you are saying, but sadly I don't know what a keysteel is, nor do I know what a roller line marker is.  I'd google it, but I suspect I might not come up with your concept.  Would you mind expressing your instructions with some photos?  I would greatly appreciate it.

YinTx

[RockyAussie]

Hi YinTx, I will get some done up and post a bit later but Key steel is the steel used in key ways in pulleys etc. Normally sold about 1 foot long and mostly square but rectangular sizes are there as well.