Henry Rifle Forums

I had posted a thread several weeks ago about practicing for the Granddaughter's Christmas Gift. She had asked for a leather pouch similar to the one I made for her mom. I had fiddled with several tooling patterns, but put that aside to make the knives for the friend in VA before beginning her project. I am happy to say it's nearly done. I didn't do a build along as it's been done several times here, but here is a taste now that it's almost done.

The first step was to cut out the main pieces of the project using the templates from the first couple pouches I made:


Having decided to use the "Hearts" tooling, I needed to lay out guidelines for tooling. I did that here:


Slowly and carefully, learned from the three practice pieces I did on leather scraps, I tooled the front panel section, and the border, then did the flap. Not shown here, but is in the "Dyed" section later.


The side panels were cut out, tooled and set aside.


First Dye:

Next the holes were punched around the main panel:


The post was installed that will secure the flap:


The screw at the back was countersunk as not to scratch the Granddaughter's phone.


The holes were punched at the correct angle in the side panel for box stitching.


The D-rings, assembled earlier, were sewn to the proper location at the top edge at the rear of the flap.

After starting the stitching, I discovered that it was not working out. I glued the pouch together and put it in clamps.


I restarted the stitching, after spending a couple days rethinking the stitching plan. I used a homemade hand drill, consisting of a dowel with the proper bit in place to predrill the holes marked at the proper angle and stitching each pair as I went. Slow but sure. Adapt and Overcome.


If you look at this picture, you can see my small handdrill in front of the pouch. The stitching progresses.


The pouch is fully sewn. Pretty happy. The glueup is reinforced and tight. Should last a long time.


Here the pouch has been antiqued. The design pops.


The security strap has been bejeweled, The Granddaughter IS a 16 year old girl, and sewn to the flap.... we are 99% done here. The pouch will receive a top coat of sealant and be waxed.


In tooling and finishing the shoulder strap I discovered a defect in the leather strip I cut from the shoulder. I'm afraid with use it will break. so I cut a new strip and have begun again on the shoulder strap.

The old, finished strap with her name and some tooling:


The new strap begun:

Understand that this is a VERY short quick overview, and this project has taken two weeks to complete. Many of the things glossed over here took several hours to complete. The D-Ring assembly for example looks quick and easy but is several steps, and takes a couple days as the strips are cut, dyed, and the edges are burnished. The straps are looped around the D-rings and glued, then clamped overnight. The next day they can be punched and then sewn on.

The tooling layout takes time and the tooling must be done slowly and carefully. A misstep and you are starting over. Beveling a line? There are ten feet of edge to bevel on the strap alone. I take longer than many leatherworkers as my arthritis demands I work in one and a half to two hour blocks, but the work still takes time. But... I love to see the completed projects take shape. The Granddaughter will see this on Christmas morning and hopefully use it for years. She still has the Doll cradle I made her ten years ago.

This is a pendulum cradle design I made for all the grandkids. When JO was born they lived 1200 miles away and my daughter said not to make one for her then. When she was six, her mother said she asked if I could make HER cradle for her American Girl Doll instead. I had been holding onto a Knotty Pine board for some reason and this seemed like the perfect use.


So, I shrunk the design to doll size, and when it was done I paid $100 to have it shipped to Texas from Virginia to my Granddaughter. Her friends would Oooh and Ahhh. She would remind them that you LOOK with your eyes and not with your hands. They weren't allowed to touch it.

Grandma made her the matching mattress, pads, sheets, and a mini quilt for her doll.

Pretty incredible. You are very talented. If they dont treasure those gifts i would be shocked.
Good job!!!!

I know you are proud to make it for her, and know she is even prouder you did.

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After drying overnight, with the finish applied, this is the final appearance. I haven't waxed it, as I have to decide if she'll think it needs it.


I cut a scrap piece of leather 1-1/2 inches wide and started playing with tooling techniques to see what I want ti do for the new strap. Miss T and I agreed on the pattern. I have to drive an hour down to Sulpher to the dentist this morning, but this afternoon, I'll attack that five foot long strap.
I'll likely wax the pouch... I like the muted glow it provides.

Watch this space.

Really nice work BOM, two things that really stand out to me are how nice the border compliments the heart pattern and how nice the finish is. Beautiful.

Great skills and work Jim! A great gift to your granddaughter that should last a long time in use and memories!

Great work marine!

Beautiful work, Marine. Thanks for sharing these projects with us.

Really, really nice work there Marine. She's going love it.

As I said, I was working on the new strap. I settled on the design and started the tooling. Slow and Sure, didn't want to screw up the new wider strapping, 60 inches long. The new tooling design is a lot more detailed, and to start, I used a square basketweave stamp but only used one row. To look correct, I drew a VERY faint pencil line down the center of the strap as a reference, then used a small carpenter's square to insure the stamp was properly placed EACH time before striking. THIS stamp is turned 90 degrees before each subsequent strike. I drew a reference line on each of the four sides of the stamp to insure I had turned the stamp, a vertical or horizontal line indicating the direction of the accent line in the pattern ON the stamp. I had messed up a pattern here and there because of failure to turn the stamp in the past.



The side accent was chosen based on it's size, and that it matches the pouch. Worked out well.

The lettering on the strap was done FIRST, and I used the square and a reference line in the center as well. EACH step verified before stamping.

Once the size of the Snap Links were verified when they were ordered, I was able to CUT the ends of the straps in preparation for folding over and stitching when the snap links arrive. (12th, unless they are lost in the mail.)


The dye makes the leather stiff. I treated the leather by rubbing in Mink Oil, which restores the flexibility and keeps it soft. Then I antiqued it. This makes the design POP. I like it. I went over the design with wet Q-tips and wiped away the areas in among the tooling that I wanted to remove more of the antiquing. I'll let this dry several hours then apply the finish. Probably several coats. Then the strap will await the snap links.


Not done yet, watch this space.

Wow...what a beautiful present. Merry Christmas to all of you and your families.