Work in Progress...

[YinTx]

RockyAussie,

Thanks for the pointers.  I will try them on the next item I make... don't want to foul this one up, since the body is already formed.

Sadly no time to work on this one over the weekend... oh well, the week is coming!

Also, I'm beginning to think that this is the "Dublin" leather from Horween... has a really nice, waxy feel to it, a firm temper, and a pull up character.  Anyone know how I can really tell what it is?  All I know is that it is Horween...

YinTx

[YinTx]

A little progress today...

along with a wayward stitch or two    They really show up when you take a close-up photo!  Not so noticeable from 1 foot away...just means I have to keep upping my game... maybe a bigger awl handle would help me...

YinTx

 

 

[YinTx]

Bit more... I know some feel that Riri is a bit over rated, but they work very well, and I do like that sparkle...

Stitching zippers is one of my more challenging stitches:  along with cloth lining, since they both always seem to mess with the lay of the stitch on both sides.  I don't like cutting into the cloth too much with the awl or the irons, because I don't want to affect the integrity of it.  

This time not too bad.. but I really had to take my time with it.

Also, tried an iron on the edges today, RockyAussie.  No luck with this one.. it just turned black, and the fuzzies stayed.    I'll try on some of my other leathers tho.

YinTx

 

[Wedgetail]

Hey @YinTx, 

Try slicking the edges down with some tallow fat maybe?

You can buy it from most grocery stores for a couple of bucks, here in Australia it comes branded as Supafry.

A fellow from UK Saddlery put me onto it for doing edges on belts in response to me while I was on here bitching about burnishing edges on a bridle leather belt that I couldn't get rid of all the fuzzies, or get a stain to take.

He mentions it in one of his videos, but basically just put some tallow fat in a piece of canvas or denim, heat it slightly with a lighter, and the rub it along the edge. Once I did that, burnishing worked perfectly and it took a water based stain too.

This is his video here:

 

Your project is looking great too, by the way

[RockyAussie]

Sorry to hear about the fuzzies staying. My answer from there would be to use a layer of edge coat first and iron it in. That will work but I am not familiar with the method that Wedgetail mentions and that just may suit you better. With regards to stitching the zips in using an awl although I rarely do hand stitching I have found that using a crepe rubber block to press into can help. Over here you can get what is termed an abrasive restorer which is great for cleaning sandpaper belts etcand is about 1.5" square by probably 6" long. I often cut off slices to clean up excess glue and as I said poking the awl into instead of my hand.

[CazaLopez]

Are you planning on painting the edges?

[YinTx]

CazaLopez,

I don't plan to paint the edges on this one.  Was concerned that the waxy finish on the leather might prevent the paint from holding.  I  have done some wallets with it, and the edges seem ok without burnishing or painting, so I am going with the warm fuzzy look on this one with the linen thread.  Perhaps I'll do  a test wallet with edge paint and use it for a while to see how it holds up in the future.

 

For today, not a lot of progress as I was finishing up the orange clutch from the other post.. so only managed to complete the zipper pull.  The day is still young tho... and I need a smaller set of end punches...

YinTx

 

[alpha2]

Lately I've been making some wallets with edges and leathers that "don't burnish". So, here's what I do. I wet my finger with water and run it around in Saddle Soap, and apply it on the edge. Then I burnish the heck out of it. Then I apply some beeswax to the edge. Again, burnish the heck out of it. If that doesn't do it, I wet it again with Saddle Soap, burnish and again, beeswax and burnish. It isn't a veg tan burnish, but it's fine for this leather. Seriously, it doesn't usually take that many steps.

I realize that after all this it likely won't accept dye or stain if that is your intent, but it does give an edge that is acceptable in most cases. In my opinion anyway! At least it's not just a raw edge anymore, and that is my goal with this stuff. I do on occasion apply some stain first, then do this bit. That gives the color you would get by dyeing or staining it. 

[YinTx]

Finally, after nearly a week of finessing the liner to fit and line up how I wanted, I have fitted it into the body of the bag.  Open to hints on how to speed up the process of making a liner and installing it!

YinTx

[bikermutt07]

It is very impressive,  Y.