Attn Leather Work Yodas

Everything Else
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I am going to try @ekla’s idea. The figure 8 chain will still give the look of a chain but be way more comfortable on my shoulder. Now off to get some veg tanned leather!

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25

@ekla would this leather work for the figure 8 chain? I’m wondering how thick it needs to be. I don’t want to get an entire hide until I figure out if I like it.

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That should work quite nicely. 3-4oz is just right, not too thick but still strong :slight_smile: .

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If you are needing leather lacing that could even be woven you will find these handy…

I even used mine on a soda bottle to make a very strong tie binder :grin:

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Thanks

29

Yeah, what they said. If you actually wanted to stick with the wooden chain there are a few threads on here where folks talk about soaking the wood in CA glue or other things which makes it incredibly strong.

That being said, for cutting long leather straps, this may come in handy!

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30

Thank you!

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Drum roll please…here is the finished leather chain crossbody strap, thanks to all of your advice.

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Now be gentle with me. It was my first attempt with leather, other than the disaster of earrings I made with what came with my :glowforge:. I learned a lot on this little adventure. I should have coated the back side of the leather before I cut it, but I did not realize that until I was dealing with all the fuzzies around the cut edges. Next time!

It was also an adventure in Chicago screws! On the beginning of the strap, I had folded the 8 over the lobster clasp to start, but I realized I cannot do that on the other end. I cut a small strip of leather and attached it with Chicago screws. I did it on the other end, even though it did not need it, so it would look the same.

Verdict: Success! The strap is comfortable and strong. I think it is every bit as sexy as the wooden chain. I have repurposed it as a necklace, soon to be on my Etsy shop.

And yes, I draped a curtain over my :glowforge: very briefly while it was running to snap the pics. Yes, I know I need to leave the top free to allow air to be sucked in. All is well.

So, what do y’all think? Many thanks to all who contributed to this discussion!
@deirdrebeth @rbtdanforth @ekla @ChristyM @rvogt @Xabbess @JimmyWayneWestie @Deleted @awebs76 and I hope I did not leave anyone out!

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32

I still think its a SEXY BEAST!!!

jonathan

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33

Wow! This is way nicer than the wooden chain! Love it!

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Thanks!

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Thank you!

36

This makes me so HAPPY!!! It looks BEYOND INCREDIBLE!!!

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37

These 4 things will always be your friends with leather and take your leather projects to a professional level

Gum tragacanth, rolling pin. Chicago screws, Fiebings Resolene

The rolling pin is when you apply the gum trag— it smooths down the fibers

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38

Gosh…this is marvelous. We don’t have to be gentle with you :wink:…you did an outstanding job on this and I love the leather chain strap. :star_struck:

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39

I was wondering how those things worked :upside_down_face: Much nicer than what I had been thinking :slightly_smiling_face:

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40

That looks gorgeous! Ups the look of the purse 80%! You did a fabulous job!!

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Thanks, everyone, for your kind words!

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42

That is PERFECT.

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43

That looks gorgeous! Leather will stretch as there is weight on it, and darken with age (or sweat) so it’ll be interesting to see one after some use :slight_smile:

The fuzzies are definitely a thing. Yours looks beautifully clean so well done there!

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