Is this stitching weakening the belt loop?

[GeneH]

Nope, no clicker press. I used my wood carving knives because of budget restrictions, but that was *H* on the thin blades. No production goals, these hobby one-offs. However, the whole process should go smoothly without so much time just putzing and struggling to make the pieces fit and look right. 

[GeneH]

Calling this one done, except for conditioner especially inside the belt loop. I am not pleased with any of the edge finishing. The mask came out nice, and I don't know why this piece didn't come out as clean. The hatchet hangs very nicely with its handle tilting slightly behind and inward out of the way.

I'm satisfied with the stitching considering that's the second article stitched, and the number of times I pulled a few stitches back to start over. 

Mistakes and errors:

The snaps are covering up permanent marker near the top, necessitating splitting the stitching into left and right as I did not want to go under a snap. Now I know how to stitch starting left handed and starting right handed and make both look the same. Win.

The picture of the bottom shows misalignment of the strap, partially because it was punched with that end destined to be the top. That bottom was supposed to be the funneled top but I must have had wax on a burnisher because it would not take dye. The black dyed top was supposed to be the bottom because it wasn't as clean. I accidently rounded and slanted the loop between the belt strap so that looks funky. 

 

[RockyAussie]

Structurally and aesthetically that looks very good to me as is. The stitching and the finishing all look way more than most would do for this purpose as well IMHO. Congratulations.

[GeneH]

Thanks RockyA!  I do have to say I’m pleased with the stitching by the snaps. I had to start at each side of the snap and work round towards the back to keep the symmetry. Good  learning piece.

Edited February 18, 2019 by GeneH

[bermudahwin]

Looking good,

H

[YinTx]

Looks outstanding!  I think it will do the job with style.

YinTx

[GeneH]

Thank you both for the compliment. Seriously could not have done this without the wonderful help on this site. 

[Dwight]

On 2/17/2019 at 5:59 PM, RockyAussie said:

Structurally and aesthetically that looks very good to me as is. The stitching and the finishing all look way more than most would do for this purpose as well IMHO. Congratulations.

RockyAussie said it first, . . . but is worth quoting, . . .  darn good job in my book.

PLUS, . . . I had to kind of chuckle, . . . I'm in the process of building a little coal forge, . . . a Shawnee pattern tomahawk will be one of the first products from it, . . . and I was kicking ideas around in my head the other day for the carrier for it.

May God bless,

Dwight