Tuesday 26 February 2013

Latest updates on to-do list

Rather than updating my to-do list from October, I thought I'd start a new post. I haven't got much done since before Christmas, but I did get a few items crossed off and, of course, I've added a number of new items.

  1. Figure out engineering and pattern for stick-purse pouches
  2. Replace Avelyn's favour (likely make a second more sturdy one for wearing in armour as well)
  3. Develop carving pattern for my heraldry and badge
  4. Finish Avelyn's lamellar
  5. Start work on designing new leather leg pieces for Avelyn's new knee armour
  6. Do "commissioned" children's archery glove for Eluned
  7. Do "commissioned" belt favour (with award badges) for Robert the Blue
  8. Design and make drinking horn hanger for Vod (based on Morag's design)
  9. Talk to Nathaniel about herald's folder project for Harrowgate
  10. Figure out shoe pattern
  11. Help Catherine with her quiver project (if she still needs help)
  12. Make some basic pouches for the newcomer kit fund-raiser at ComiCon
  13. Track down my comments from Kingdom A&S
  14. Prep materials for leatherworking class for Harrowgate Heath - for the fall

Monday 4 February 2013

Leatherworking class this fall

Well, I've stepped in it now. :) I've offered to teach a class for our Canton in October on making a leather belt pouch.

Good news is I have lots of time to work out the details and pull together all of the resources etc.

We have lots of growth in the Canton so there are a number of new people who may not have any leatherworking experience. I want this to be a good hands-on class so they can come away with something they would be happy to wear at events.

I'm thinking I might use the pattern I developed over the holidays for the covered draw string pouch (http://kraken-leather.blogspot.ca/2012/12/new-pouch-design-with-pictures.html). It's a bit more complex than a basic draw-string pouch and a bit different from what people will have seen before, but simple enough that most people should be able to do it in an hour (if I pre-cut and prep the pieces). I'd have to document it a bit but otherwise it would mostly be ready to go. I could bring a few kits for a more typical draw-string purse too in case there are people who don't tend to wear belts, just to make sure the pouch people make is something they can use.

I'll have to decide what materials to use. Easiest thing would be chrome tan, maybe even some of my chrome tan pig skins that I have lying around at home. It's super easy to work with and its nice and thin, almost like working with fabric. But of course that isn't a period material and the colours are too bright for true period use. Using thin veg tan would be more period but harder to work with and much more expensive. Maybe I'll ask Tiberius what he normally uses.

I want to make sure I cover some basic info on leatherworking too (stuff like the veg vs chrome tan, leather thicknesses, materials for stitching etc.), so that people aren't lost if they wander into the leatheer store for the first time.

If it goes well, maybe I can do it at an event next year.