Not too shabby, uh??

[EfrainBG]

Just now, Bigfoote said:

Maybe try some Gum Trag on the straps and then burnish then real good. That will get rid of the fuzz anyway. Too nice of a bag to leave the straps like that. Great job on the piping, better than I have ever done yet!

that's a great suggestion. I was thinking of a couple rounds of carnauba-let dry-polish. This is because I've noticed that when carnauba dries out it leaves a farily hard texture on the leather and eases up the sanding work. That's actually how I burnished the edges that are seen in the picture.

I'll explore this issue in good depth these next two weeks, which is, give or take, my estimated date of finishing.

thanks again!!

[Bigfoote]

Gum Trag will stick those fibers down, especially if you have a glass slicker. I use it on the flesh side of most of my stuff to smooth it out after removing the tape I use to keep the leather from stretching when I tool. Let it soak in a little and a little elbow grease will have it looking nice. A bone folder will work if you don't have a glass slicker.

[MikeG]

I have a camera without a case (hint, hint) . . . .

I know I'm in the minority, but to me the reversed straps shout handmade and unique.  Yeah they are a little fuzzy, but kind of cool.  Your craftsmanship and attention to detail is superb.  Thanks for posting this.  Now I'm going to go have a beer and sulk about what it would look like if I tried to make it.

[EfrainBG]

15 hours ago, MikeG said:

I have a camera without a case (hint, hint) . . . .

I know I'm in the minority, but to me the reversed straps shout handmade and unique.  Yeah they are a little fuzzy, but kind of cool.  Your craftsmanship and attention to detail is superb.  Thanks for posting this.  Now I'm going to go have a beer and sulk about what it would look like if I tried to make it.

Thanks a lot, Mike!! I want to see how those look on the finished bag before making a decission. All the straps in the bag will be dettachable and will double as a cargo straps for additional stuff... you know, tripods, water bottle, blanket, whatnot... that's why it didn't bother me that much at the beginning, but, now that the elephant in the room has been noticed, the comments make sense.

[Bigfoote]

7 hours ago, EfrainBG said:

Thanks a lot, Mike!! I want to see how those look on the finished bag before making a decission. All the straps in the bag will be dettachable and will double as a cargo straps for additional stuff... you know, tripods, water bottle, blanket, whatnot... that's why it didn't bother me that much at the beginning, but, now that the elephant in the room has been noticed, the comments make sense.

 It's an awesome job there, can't wait to see the finished product. Everyone here knows how hard it is to make a nice case like that, but sometimes we have opinions. Now I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't have said anything about the straps, but that was just my opinion. The main thing is it's an awesome nice job so far and you should be proud of it!

[Sofaspud]

That is some really beautiful work. I am looking forward to seeing the completed bag.

[Wishful]

Very nice bag!

[MonicaJacobson]

Cool bag, I love the piping. One thing you could do is line the straps so the back side matches the front. Wouldn't take too long for that length. 

[EfrainBG]

14 hours ago, Bigfoote said:

 It's an awesome job there, can't wait to see the finished product. Everyone here knows how hard it is to make a nice case like that, but sometimes we have opinions. Now I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't have said anything about the straps, but that was just my opinion. The main thing is it's an awesome nice job so far and you should be proud of it!

Not a problem, Bigfoote. Opinions -specially different opinions- help in getting better.

[EfrainBG]

8 hours ago, Sofaspud said:

That is some really beautiful work. I am looking forward to seeing the completed bag.

Thanks a lot!!

1 hour ago, MonicaJacobson said:

Cool bag, I love the piping. One thing you could do is line the straps so the back side matches the front. Wouldn't take too long for that length. 

Thank you, Monica. I didn't quite get the comment about lining up the straps... they go all the way around the pocket, if that's what you mean...