freak Report post Posted August 26, 2007 I tell ya i learned alot from doing this project. My Father-In_Law kept telling me he needed a better belt. I had no idea he meant a gun belt. Long story short ( no really it's a long, long story ) He wanted me to try to make him a gun belt for a holster he has. He just wants it to be basket weaved. I get the holster from him to see if i can match the color and he goes on about how the holster is to long and blah, blah, blah. So i made a matching holster to the length he needs. I used his holster to go off of for a pattern, seeing as how i have no idea what i'm doing there. Excuse my hand stitching , i did it 4 times and trust me this is WAY better then the other 3 times. I used all eco-flo products. first i used the Timber Brown dye , 3 coats Then i used the Gel Antique Tan Then finished with Super Shene I had a hard time getting a good picture . The first one would be the best. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yaklady Report post Posted August 26, 2007 That's very nice, Freak! I forgot to take pictures of the one I just made, and the guy came and picked it up today. You could make another one for the IFoLG show! Kathy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freak Report post Posted August 26, 2007 Thanks, your to kind ( i like kindness ). It's got it's flaws but for Pops it will make him happy. I don't think i got the skills to be showing anything at the show. I'll be there looking though, that's for sure and i can't wait. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Roger Report post Posted August 26, 2007 looks pretty good! i like the color and it looks like you have good depth on your basket weave. the only thing i would suggest is.. work on getting your basket weave closer to your border. what ever border stamp you use should overlap the basket weave so that it looks continuous. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan Hammons Report post Posted August 27, 2007 Freak , The only way you are sure not to take a ribbon is to not enter. I almost didn't take that Bear to the Fair !! Then What ..........Dan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freak Report post Posted August 27, 2007 Thanks for the kind words guys. Beeza that's good advise and i'll work on it. And Dan thanks for the support but i know my limits. LOL But, you're right you never know till you do it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JustWakinUp Report post Posted August 27, 2007 I'm so new to this trade but damn all you guys inspire me. I think that thing looks wicked Freak. It seems you're having the same problem I am. When I stamp something I always see it on the backside in like a dark tint. I wonder if I'm suppose to be putting a backing on the leather before stamping. Great job freak Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ETW Grumpy Report post Posted August 27, 2007 Freak, that looks very good. I really like the color. JustWakinUp, I have that same trouble on thin leather. It's not a problem unless the back side is going to show. If so, use a lining to cover the back, or use a thicker leather for the project. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freak Report post Posted August 27, 2007 Thanks peeps. After thinking about it, you could see the impression on the back side after i stamped the hell of it. It's about 8/9 oz belt. I think the impressions became dark after i dyed it. Which lead me to believe it's picking up the black ink off the newspaper i had under it when i dyed it. Like my hands do after handing the paper, like when i use it for packing and what not. I guess i moved the belt around more then i thought i did on the paper. I'll use wax paper next time or foil. Again thanks for the commits and tips, mucho appreciato . I gave the belt to him today and he loved it and that's what really matters. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClayB Report post Posted August 28, 2007 I'd be interested in hearing how others feel about this, but I always figured when you could see the impressions on the backside, it meant your moisture was good and you were getting really good depth. Kind of like burnish, but on the backside. I have never considered it a bad thing. And Freak, nice job! Clay Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johanna Report post Posted August 28, 2007 Yep, Clay, same as I thought. If you don't like the look of it from the back, you line it. Good job, Freak, whichever one of you made that belt! Johanna Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites