The beginning....

[Sheilajeanne]

Tandy had their stitching horse on sale for just $20.00 over Christmas, which is less than half price, so I bought one. Don't like it: unless I sit it on my lap, it's too tall to be at a comfortable stitching height. Holding it between my legs doesn't work for me, either height-wise. It also puts me too far back from the lights on and overtop of my work bench. Need to figure out how to make a shorter one and a way of anchoring it so it doesn't move around. I often think a carpenter's vise with padded edges, attached to the edge of my workbench would work just fine, and be at the right height.

Unless I am desperate, and have to have it NOW to finish a project, or the item is really cheap (belt keepers, rivets, etc.) I never buy anything at Tandy that's not on sale. And since I have a business license, I get Elite club pricing on everything. 

Still trying to figure out sources other than Tandy for leatherworking stuff. Getting things shipped across the Canadian border gets expensive, especially with the difference in the dollar. 

Edited January 1, 2017 by Sheilajeanne

[RoamingGnome]

I made a stitching pony with $7 worth of material from the hardware store. I started with (what seemed to be) standard height then kept cutting it off until I found the height that worked for me by standing it on top of the bench to see if it was comfortable. Once I got the right height I drilled a couple of holes in the base and a couple in the top of the bench. When I need o use it I drop a bolt in each hole to keep it in place.

They say that if you're gonna be dumb you gotta be tough but I've learned that if you're gonna be cheap or lazy (and I have a touch of both) you gotta be creative!