Don't be a one trick pony.

[immiketoo]

There are so many ways to express oneself in the leather world, I encourage you to try something new.  Someone commented earlier that they don't tool.  I asked why not?  There are any number of legitimate reasons why not, but it sparked the thought that I HAVE to learn something new all the time.  Right now it's bookbinding for me.  It's a challenge that I have to learn.  There are a lot of projects I want to do in the future.  I'd like to make a bag or purse that a non-leatherworker woman would like to use.  Not the same old tired Tandy kits that everyone and their brother has made.  More like Hermes or something at that level of refinement.

It's easy to get stuck in a rut or stick with what you know.  What are some of the things you'd like to try but are afraid to venture into?  As I said, bags intimidate me.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe it's the commitment to all the steps or zippered linings or the quantity of leather to learn?

What about you? 

 

[ScoobyNewbie]

You should. Bags aren’t hard. Everything you do for belts, you do for bags. 

Cut, tool, burnish, sew, decorate with conchos. Done. You don’t even need to use snaps or D rings. Rivets are pretty and can be your friends. Don’t forget feet. Nobody wants to put their beautiful purse flat on the bathroom floor or counter.

I make a preliminary lining by cutting the pattern out in a cotton blend, then leather weld the edges of the pattern so it won’t unravel while I’m fitting it. Don’t forget the hems before you finish sizing/fitting. It makes the lining look finished.

[immiketoo]

You make it sound so easy!

[DV8DUG]

33 minutes ago, immiketoo said:

You make it sound so easy!

Right... Too easy.

Haven't ventured into contemporary bags but I've done my share of the Renaissance  variety,  steampunk thighbags, and plenty of sporrans... 

[immiketoo]

1 minute ago, DV8DUG said:

Right... Too easy.

Haven't ventured into contemporary bags but I've done my share of the Renaissance  variety,  steampunk thighbags, and plenty of sporrans... 

ME too.  I classify those as pouches.  Easy, or at least doable.  I want to make wallets that arent an inch thick while empty, etc.

 

[noobleather]

I would like to work up the courage to do some braiding,all seems so difficult.

[immiketoo]

I hear you there.  I can round braid pretty well, but only as lacing projects.  Stand alone braided items elude me.

[chrisash]

I have a gladstone bag on my bucket list made of good veg tan baybe sedgwick with goat inside and brass opening top and hand stitched.

Maybe someday when i get enough spare dosh

Maybe 

Maybe

Damm now look what you have started

Maybe

[immiketoo]

22 minutes ago, chrisash said:

I have a gladstone bag on my bucket list made of good veg tan baybe sedgwick with goat inside and brass opening top and hand stitched.

Maybe someday when i get enough spare dosh

Maybe 

Maybe

Damm now look what you have started

Maybe

I have projects like that.  But I say maybe one day when I'm good enough.  I hate the waste of the learning process sometimes.

 

[billybopp]

I think the project that I want to try, but intimidates me most is a pair of properly fitted and made shoes.  

- Bill