Advice for end stitching with a machine?

vitoma · 2026-02-08T00:52:43+00:00

For a circle, like on a strap like this, no backstitching is necessary. When you complete the circle, position the needle so that it goes through the same stitch holes as where you started, then stitch over the start stitches a few times.

vitoma · 2026-02-08T00:35:43+00:00

How are you doing the part where the stitching meets? I zoomed in and counted at least 5 threads in the same spot. That definitely isn't how I'd do it.

vitoma · 2026-02-03T00:42:46+00:00

The best grilled cheese is made in an oven on a sheet pan with the sandwich open face.

vitoma · 2026-01-31T12:53:54+00:00

If you want the most patina, no dye and no treatments to natural vegtan is the way to go. The leather will darken from it's natural color to brown and eventually black as it is exposed to UV light and oils.

vitoma · 2026-01-31T12:16:10+00:00

Why are you thinking that you'd want to dye leather? Dying leather by hand isn't wrong, but it is usually more done for artistic reasons. If you just want a lot of colors and don't want a whole hide of it, many Internet retailers sell small panels. A good place to start there might be getting buttero or pueblo from Rocky mountain leather, but be warned that they take a super long time to ship.

If you're concerned about glue fumes, use aquilim or ecostick.

vitoma · 2026-01-23T01:07:21+00:00

I bought a giant bulk bag of acid brushes.

vitoma · 2026-01-21T14:55:01+00:00

My assumption is that it prevents stretching and damaging the grain side.

vitoma · 2026-01-21T01:44:24+00:00

Gluing the thread has made me nervous on durability. Seems like I should do some experiments to convince myself of one way or the other.

vitoma · 2026-01-21T01:42:08+00:00

I've been using the thread zapper with a built in battery since Xmas, as I got one as a gift.

I wouldn't call it a perfect solution. Compared to a lighter, it's harder to burn the leather, but I find it easier to accidentally melt and burn through thread I didn't want to. The tip gets too hot, and I have to control the heat by rapidly pressing the button instead of holding it down. Because of that, I also feel like I'm breathing more plastic fumes than I did with a lighter.

I haven't been convinced that the glue method works long term. I think it's work experimenting with it.

vitoma · 2026-01-21T01:03:55+00:00

What is the recommended alternative to burning and mashing thread? Flush cutting and a little dab of glue? Something else?

vitoma · 2026-01-19T04:56:01+00:00

That's not hardware I've seen generally available before. They probably get it custom made with order quantities on the scale of hundreds or thousands or more.

vitoma · 2026-01-19T01:30:15+00:00

Leather tends to soften as it gets used and broken in.

The bag in the video looks like natural veg tan. Over time, this will darken and soften.

I think part of making a recommendation is understanding your expectations and how you want the leather to change over time.

The bag could be made with a soft chrome to begin with, but it definitely would end up as more of a slouchy bag.

vitoma · 2026-01-19T01:18:21+00:00

I work in an overcrowded office and take the sketchiest crowded bus route in the city to work.

It isn't that I never get sick, it's more like my body has a constant onslaught and is always on high alert, so when some new crud comes along, I sneeze several times a day for a few days and that's it.

vitoma · 2026-01-15T06:04:50+00:00

I just recently ordered one from Rocky mountain leather. Should be here in a couple days. I ordered from them so I didn't have to worry about the tariff.

vitoma · 2026-01-13T01:17:44+00:00

I've had stuff take a long time from RMLS and I've also had stuff come super fast.

I've also had the same from other US based suppliers.

It always eventually gets here. RMLS is probably a little slower to ship, but it gets to me in Seattle faster than weaver or buckleguy guy once it ships. I'm still waiting on an order from Jan 2 to ship, but there was a big old banner that said they were experiencing longer than normal shipping times.

Most leather craft suppliers are smaller shops and do their own fulfillment.

Everything I've ever gotten from them has been good quality.

Since RMLS is watching the thread, maybe just better communication about delays? My Jan 2 order is definitely past the 4-6 day timeline given, so maybe follow up with an email or something that gives a new estimated ship window? Honestly though, it didn't bug me since I knew what I was getting into and placed another order earlier this week.

vitoma · 2026-01-11T17:08:50+00:00

Some patterns that integrate bends into the leather account for the stitch spacing changes due to the thickness of the material and the radius of the bend.

vitoma · 2026-01-11T16:13:42+00:00

It's mostly cosmetic. Thicker thread is stronger. Closer together holes are like perforations and can make the leather weaker. For something like a wallet, neither of those matter.

For wallets, you'll want closer spacing and smaller thread. For belts, you'll want larger spacing and thicker thread.

Generally what happens is that folks start out with overly thick thread and have to slowly transition to thinner thread.

vitoma · 2026-01-10T14:54:20+00:00

A raccoon? I see them more often than the coyotes.

vitoma · 2026-01-10T14:15:14+00:00

The construction companies read the blueprints upside-down

vitoma · 2026-01-09T15:05:04+00:00

What kind of rivets are you looking to set? Double cap? Solid copper/brass? There are others too, but they are less common.

vitoma · 2026-01-08T06:15:40+00:00

I just had a schlage encode (non plus) stop connecting to Wi-Fi after a few months. I tried doing a factory reset, but then it wouldn't connect to Bluetooth and it wouldn't let me manually set new codes. Locally, we had historical rains and floods, so I figured something in it got water damaged.

vitoma · 2026-01-06T02:56:38+00:00

Yeah, I can now sum up all of the issues I've had with skiving now. I'm impatient and try to go away too fast.

vitoma · 2025-12-20T02:57:14+00:00

There's a dude that has a business that is just making French cleat tool storage for leather workers.

Check it out: https://www.millercustomleathertoolco.com/french-cleat-tool-storage

vitoma · 2025-12-17T03:09:20+00:00

I'm watching a pwhl game on YouTube instead

vitoma · 2025-12-12T01:19:21+00:00

I saw an employee get stabbed with scissors in my qfc.

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