Planning my first leather project

A lot of reenactment level work is about learning appropriate historical crafts and skills. This board is for all general skills that don't have their own forum.

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Manveruon
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Re: Planning my first leather project

Post by Manveruon »

It looks great so far! Reminds me of my first big sewing project (which was also a quiver, and it is still my primary quiver, incidentally). As for the dying, yeah, it can make the leather a little stiff and dry at first. I've never used any leather conditioner, honestly, but it probably wouldn't be a bad idea. Still, you can probably just go ahead and start assembling it without any trouble.
Maerondir Perianseron, also called “Mickel,” Halfling Friend - Ranger of the Misty Mountains
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Ringulf
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Re: Planning my first leather project

Post by Ringulf »

The leather conditioner will help it for sure but a quick wipedown with some neetsfoot oil or even some mink oil paste will work too. either way if you just stain it you need to get a layer of protection on it and that ranges from expensive oils right on down to a good brand of shoe polish. (Kiwi's nuetral is not half bad and very cost effective.) What's more you can get it at Walmart or most any dept store.
I am Ringulf the Dwarven Woodsman, I craft leather, wood, metal, and clay,
I throw axes, seaxes, and pointy sticks, And I fire my bow through the day.
Come be my ally, lift up your mead! We'll search out our foes and the Eagles we'll feed! :mrgreen:
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Manveruon
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Re: Planning my first leather project

Post by Manveruon »

Good advice, Ringulf!
Maerondir Perianseron, also called “Mickel,” Halfling Friend - Ranger of the Misty Mountains
bjaurelio
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Re: Planning my first leather project

Post by bjaurelio »

Thanks for the tip Ringulf. I had some wax based product for leather shoes that I applied over it that seems to be working fine. The stitching did take quite a long time. The pattern was based off one with lacing the back seams together with a leather strip. Since I don't care for the look of leather lacing, I decided to stitch it instead. I will never be doing that again. Not only did it take signficantly longer than it needed to be, reaching inside to start the needle or pull through from the other side slowed my pace down signficantly during the middle third. The bottom was the last piece and done with a box stitch. I was worried the most about this part, but it was actually some of the easiest stitching of the whole project.

Here are a few pictures of the finished project. Thanks again for all the encouragment and helpful tips along the way.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3PGlm ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3PGlm ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3PGlm ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3PGlm ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3PGlm ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3PGlm ... sp=sharing
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Eothain
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Re: Planning my first leather project

Post by Eothain »

Holy cow! That turned out great!

Great job, brother, really really well done. I am in love with this quiver!
...in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.
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Udwin
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Re: Planning my first leather project

Post by Udwin »

Wow bjaurelio! Are you sure you've never made one of these before? I wish my first leather project turned out as professional-looking as yours! Well done!
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Greg
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Re: Planning my first leather project

Post by Greg »

I'll second Udwin...my first stitching attempt stitched more of ME together than leather...

That turned out GREAT.
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
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grimwulf
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Re: Planning my first leather project

Post by grimwulf »

thats a great job, turned out great.
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Ringulf
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Re: Planning my first leather project

Post by Ringulf »

A fine job you made of that Ranger!
I am glad we could all put our heads together to help you along,
but it seems you already had it in you! :mrgreen:
I am Ringulf the Dwarven Woodsman, I craft leather, wood, metal, and clay,
I throw axes, seaxes, and pointy sticks, And I fire my bow through the day.
Come be my ally, lift up your mead! We'll search out our foes and the Eagles we'll feed! :mrgreen:
Raziel Alastor
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Re: Planning my first leather project

Post by Raziel Alastor »

That is a beautiful quiver. Good job man.
Image
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Manveruon
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Re: Planning my first leather project

Post by Manveruon »

Lookin' good! I agree with the others' sentiments! And yeah, that stitching inside the quiver towards the middle gets to be pretty killer. I've done it twice now, and I hated it both times.
Maerondir Perianseron, also called “Mickel,” Halfling Friend - Ranger of the Misty Mountains
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