It took a couple of goes to get the colour right on this 2 piece bag for Steve. The aim was to get the silver perforations to look like the titanium but in the first version, the one with black piping, it was too blue. So we had another try and decided to change the piping to grey for an added highlight. This one also with the spring loaded, nickel plated toe strap buckle and a single ended YKK Vislon zipper.
The first of two saddle bags for Steve. This one is for his Pegoretti to match the saddle, bar tape and pump strap I made a while ago. We fitted a double ended YKK Vislon zip, but after trying it out Steve decided a single zip slider would be more functional. He also opted to have the nickel plated, spring loaded toe strap buckle rather than the traditional style stainless buckle I've been using recently.
Green and gold to match the bike to the car. The bike is DS' Pegoretti and the car is his Ferrari. Selle Italia SLR Superflow Boost.
Dan's black SLR had faded a lot. For a quick fix I applied several coats of acrylic leather paint and a matte varnish. The white Prologo was no longer very white. Now recovered it in white kangaroo leather with a classic fine perforation pattern for Dan's Merckx.
Suggestions of Iron Man's mask in gold, red and light blue perforations on this Selle Italia SLR Boost Superflow saddle.
Berk's Lupina Short saddle in whiskey colour kangaroo leather, marching bar tape perforated with Baum Cycles' light gold Champagne colour.
Orange to pink gradient concentric paw print pattern for Becky's Power saddle in black kangaroo leather.
What a lovely day we had visiting my parents in the Upper Yarra / Yarra Ranges area. Under the watchful gaze of the local native birdlife, I worked outside on the deck sharpening their kitchen knives and fitting some leather accoutrements to Dad's long bamboo walking stick. A long wrist strap, a pair of adjustable velcro straps to fasten his little torch/flashlight and some lashing around the bottom end to prevent any further splitting.
Two sets of Berk synthetic leather bar tape which I customised with colour fade and multi-colour perforated designs for Franco's Kirkoretti (frame by Dave Kirk and paint by the late Dario Pegoretti)
I needed to use a keyhole buttonhole machine to finish off my denim chore coat. It was a great excuse to drive down to Dromana and visit Lee at Everwear Denim. The alternative was to stitch the buttonholes by hand. I'm super impressed with Lee's work and his collection of machines and other vintage tailoring tools. Here's a few photos snapped by Feride while I was concentrating on getting the buttonholes the right size and in the right spot.
There have been fewer bicycle saddles coming through the workshop over past few months. Things don't feel right unless I'm busy making stuff. Here are a few of the projects I've been working on.
I made myself a denim jacket in the style of a chore coat with four patch pockets on the front, a back yoke, two way collar and a curved front edge at the hem. Cut to be quite boxy with a generous sleeve to accomodate a bulky jumper underneath.
I made a couple of leather 'musette' bags which Feride and I are sharing. They are very simple with woven webbing for the shoulder strap which has D rings for adjustable length. The bags are fully hand stitched.
At the beginning of September I enrolled in a five day intensive boot making workshop with Lou at Shoe School. Starting with pattern making, upper construction, lasting and applying soles I managed to complete a pair of white leather desert boots for Feride.
