First Mexican loop

[Clintock]

Well I finally tried a Mexican loop. It's a mock up just to see what I should do for the next one. I know I will cut the slots for loops narrower. I cut them 1/4"  my opinion (which isn't much) is that's too much. Next one I'll probably cut them 3/16" or maybe an 1/8". And I may have cut them about an 1/8" too long. I'm still having trouble with dyeing. This fiebings medium brown and it looks mighty dark to me for that color.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Oh and there's no hammer thong on it yet  holes are punched but I'm out of lace  

Edited June 22, 2017 by Clintock

[dikman]

At least you made one, I'm still working on the pattern for mine! I once bought a large bottle of the Medium Brown and yes, it seems awfully dark for a Medium colour! I tried thinning it down but it didn't make it much lighter. It also has a reddish tint which I'm not too keen on. I finally tried their Walnut stain which is actually brown!! Very nice.

A couple of things with the holster (things that I've picked up on by looking at lots and lots of photos). Next to the trigger guard you've made it quite sharp and pointy, it will look better if you round that corner off.You've got a swelling of the holster along the stitch line and the idea behind that is to have the swelling between the two loop straps so that it "locks" the holster in place. It's not necessary to actually cut slots to make the loops. I made a cardboard mockup and tried it with just cuts, not slots, and it works fine.

Look up the "Cheyenne"-style holster, as made by Frank Meanea. It is a good starting point and the shape can be refined from there. It's not that hard to make a Mexican Loop holster, but the trick, as far as I'm concerned, is to make it aesthetically pleasing (it's got to look right! And purty, too).

[Clintock]

Appreciate the feedback. Still looking for a brown that's not too dark but just right. Don't think the make it. I'm fine with a little reddish tint but when I want brown I want brown not red. 

I can agree on the corner. Looked kinda sharp to me too. The loops were cut to kinda be even if that makes sense. So as one loop wouldn't be towards the top and one toward the bottom. Wouldn't a tie down hold the holster in the skirt? 

I haven't seen the Cheyenne you're talking about but will definitely go look it when I hit the submit here. 

Im assuming it's aesthetically pleasing. Posted a pic on that book of faces and have 3 orders for the exact thing. 

I appreciate the feedback and critique. 

[JLSleather]

The Fiebings "brown" has always had a 'reddish' tint.  In the old days, we used to add a few drops of green (neutralize the red), but gotta sneak up on it - that green is strong stuff.  So you ended up with brown.. and 3.899 oz of green you didn't know where to put

Nowadays.. go wth the chocolate or walnut ...

[Clintock]

@JLSleather might just try to suntan the leather.  Somebody told me once that it makes the leather really dark. 

Edited June 23, 2017 by Clintock

[garypl]

Nice job!  I think it would look even better if you tapered the bottom of the holster a bit so it is not so wide at the bottom - just my opinion, no right or wrong way!

[Clintock]

1 minute ago, garypl said:

tapered the bottom of the holster a bit so it is not so wide at the bottom

Especially on the stitch side! Appreciate it. 

[garypl]

I meant the back loop section - so it looks less square at the bottom.  You could also taper the holster pouch as well - that would make it look slimmer for sure!

[Clintock]

30 minutes ago, garypl said:

back loop section

Yep. On the skirt. Just saying the stitch side would look better if it was contoured with the holster a little better. 

[dikman]

If you've already got orders then you're obviously doing something right! As Gary said, there's no "right" or "wrong" way, it just depends what you're/we're trying to achieve. I should have clarified and said that I'm looking at it from the viewpoint of trying to get the shape as close as I can to an original style (allowing for some slight variation to suit my needs). When you start looking at old photos there's a huge variation in how they're made.

Thanks for putting up the photo, it let me see what it's like with slots cut, rather than just slits. I'm hoping with all my cardboard templates that I can get it right first time and not have to modify it, but until it's actually made you just don't know quite how it's going to look!

By the way, Fiebing's Moccasin Brown is quite nice, might be a bit too dark for what you're looking for but seems to have a little less red in it.