Boxed in: Box stitching a tooled leather trunk

[YinTx]

Not sure how I feel about this one, now that I am finished.  Over 1 month in the making.  I debated putting it in the "critique my work" section for a while, since this is the first box stitched trunk I have made.  For sure, a learning experience, many things I would change on a next piece.  Not too happy with the back "hinge," so I am off to the drafting board again for that design bit.  Also picked out a different basket weave, and it was an entirely different beast to manage!

And oye, the wayward camouflage tool!  I'll get it under control some day!  Took me three different types of awl blades and about 14 hours of stitching to put this together.  Thread was heavier than what I normally use, 332 Campbell's Satin Laid Linen in yellow.  Blue suede lined, very heavy veg tan - I think 10 or 12 oz.  This little box is pretty stout and heavy.

So.. many.. corners... so. many. stitches... !  

Anyhow, hope you all enjoy..comments welcome as always!

YinTx

 

[bikermutt07]

Good grief, what an undertaking!!!

Great job and I applaud your resilience.

[Rohn]

What a beautiful box!  Lots of work and lots of patience on that, I am sure. 

[billybopp]

Excellent!!   That is NOT an easy project!  Sewing box corners is a beast all its own, and you didn't tread lightly there - you used a high contrast thread.

Kudos.  

Bill

[Sheilajeanne]

You, sir, are a true artist!

And the amount of work that went into that project - not just the stitching, but all the basket weave stamping, too!  I can't imagine doing something like that! 

How big is the chest?

Edited July 5, 2017 by Sheilajeanne

[Grey Drakkon]

Damn!  That's a super nice box.  How did you do the hinges, leather straps?  Or is it just that one belt? 

[rickdroid]

That is a very, very nice piece of leather.  You consistently do amazing work.

rick

[Sofaspud]

Very nice. I have wanted to try another of these, (the first did not come out as expected) but have been putting it off.  You did a fantastic job. 

[YinTx]

7 hours ago, bikermutt07 said:

Good grief, what an undertaking!!!

Great job and I applaud your resilience.

Bikermutt,

It was a bit of an undertaking, more than I had expected.  Thanks for the compliment!

6 hours ago, Rohn said:

What a beautiful box!  Lots of work and lots of patience on that, I am sure. 

Rohn,

At the end, I was wondering if I had enough patience!  Was glad to see the last stitch go in.

2 hours ago, billybopp said:

Excellent!!   That is NOT an easy project!  Sewing box corners is a beast all its own, and you didn't tread lightly there - you used a high contrast thread.

Kudos.  

Bill

Bill,

A new skill for me, along with the tooling.  Something about using high contrast stitching and tooling that makes you focus more intently, see errors more easily, and seek improvement more readily!

1 hour ago, Sheilajeanne said:

You, sir, are a true artist!

And the amount of work that went into that project - not just the stitching, but all the basket weave stamping, too!  I can't imagine doing something like that! 

How big is the chest?

Sheilajeanne,

As I have mentioned in another thread, I can barely draw recognizable stick figures... so I am happy to have accomplished something that someone finds artistic!

The box measures 10"x7"x4.5"

1 hour ago, Grey Drakkon said:

Damn!  That's a super nice box.  How did you do the hinges, leather straps?  Or is it just that one belt? 

Thanks!  The hinge is a strip of suede, which you can see on the inside back.  That is one part I was not happy with.  It tends to push the back of the box lid up, instead of letting it sit flat.  I won't repeat that technique in the future.  The closure belt across the top and front is not integrated with the hinge.

40 minutes ago, rickdroid said:

That is a very, very nice piece of leather.  You consistently do amazing work.

rick

Rick,

Thanks for that!

_____________________________________________________________________________

I really appreciate all the positive response to this work.  Truth is I was a bit down and out about it, since as usual I am my worst critic.  I was happy to have learned the new skills, but I see so much room for improvement, and wonder if the quality I achieve on my pieces is something folks will be willing to pay good money for.  So again, thanks for the emotional lift!

YinTx

[YinTx]

44 minutes ago, Sofaspud said:

Very nice. I have wanted to try another of these, (the first did not come out as expected) but have been putting it off.  You did a fantastic job. 

All I can say is give it a go!  I put this off for some time too, now I have a few more planned.  I think I'll try a simpler one with a binder strip to reinforce the corners.

Yours may have come out better than you think if you are anything like me.  I was hesitant to even share photos, since I can see all the flaws, but it appears at least some people like it!

YinTx