I got out to the shop this afternoon, and checked out the panel. The mink out had done it's job and the leather feels great. It's looking pretty good. I need to do a couple practice runs on the box stitch and I'll should be ready to fold and close.
- 29 lookin better.jpg (156.89 KiB) Viewed 1780 times
First step is to cut the stitching grooves with a "Stitch Groover." Wonder who names these things?
- 30 cut stitching grooves.jpg (158.42 KiB) Viewed 1780 times
In the first practice run, I marked and cut the grooves on BOTH pieces the distance from the edge based on the thickness of the leather.
I took my time stitching and tightened up nicely on each loop. Much better result, but there was still a slight overhang.
- 31 practice 1.jpg (108.15 KiB) Viewed 1780 times
I applied the lesson learned. The top groove line is half the thickness of the leather from the edge, and the angle of the Awl line is positioned so that it comes out midway thru the thickness. BOOM... worked well. As you can see, I got a nice lineup on the edges. The only improvement I would make on the next run is to put TWO stitches in the first couple holes to start, and two backstitches in the end. Strength....
I'll sew 'er up tomorrow.
- 32 practice 2.jpg (96.9 KiB) Viewed 1780 times
I'm pretty happy with the second practice run. It was a strong bond as well.