Making a belt?

**Nighthawk** · 29th March 13, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by A_Hay!

The next step would be to use the beveler to depress the leather next to the lines you have cut. Nighthawk's tooling tutorial shows some pictures of how this is done. You want the thick lines of the design to stand out, so always bevel the outside of the line with the deepest part of the depression closest to the thick band. Where two lines cross, you bevel across the one that goes under the one on top. Overlap the beveler strokes so that you don't see each individual stroke. Your goal is to leave a smooth trench. I overlap my beveler strokes by about half and then move on. If the trench is still a little rough, you can use the stylus with the spoon end to rub along the trench and smooth the marks out.
Tom

I should have included that! I know my pictures aren't the best. I need to redo those. When I update my tooling tutorial, I'll mention that. Thanks for pointing out that deficiency, Tom.

**TheOfficialBren** · 29th March 13, 11:11 PM

I started in on the tooling. I will post an update later with photos.

**TheOfficialBren** · 1st April 13, 04:17 PM

Check it out!

Any suggestions For a border?

NOTE: The leather was still damp in the photos.

**TheOfficialBren** · 2nd April 13, 06:25 PM

Seriously?! No suggestions?

**TheOfficialBren** · 2nd April 13, 08:28 PM

Lol. Thanks, Yodofizzy.

**Madadh** · 3rd April 13, 07:09 AM

If you want to put a boarder on your work, you could either use a Stitching Groover or a Wing Divider to dray a line no more than 1/4 inch from the sides of your belt. You would not need to do more than that. Nice job for your first belt.

**TheOfficialBren** · 4th April 13, 04:45 PM

Awesome! Thank you, Madadh!

**TheOfficialBren** · 4th April 13, 05:58 PM

Okay. So I took Madadh's suggestion...here are the results:

How do I use antiquing finish on this?

I was inspired to use "medieval" touch on this bit here at the end. Thoughts?

LASTLY: I have decided to make a matching buckle. I will use this blank and stitch two panels together. Here is the buckle.

**TheOfficialBren** · 5th April 13, 11:07 PM

Woo-hoo!!!

I think my belt is pretty much finished!!!

I finished the edges with my cutter and slicker then used an antique brown dye.

This is my absolute first time tooling any leatherwork but I think it's a pretty decent job.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH to the more experienced leather craftsmen who have lent their expertise and offered tips and advice, especially Tom, Tobus, and Nighthawk.

I still need to make a matching buckle but I learned a lot. My next belt will be more precise.