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Month: March 2016

Saddle sizes

I create saddles for a specific one sixth scale size at the moment. But there are several styles of horses in this category, with more being made. Here are a few useful dimensions for my saddles. I can create the fastenings to fit specific sizes on request, or leave the girth straps without punched holes so you can fit them yourselves. For the experienced hobbyist, my saddles can also be deconstructed careful by removing the conchos and saddle strings to make adjustments to the stirrups under the saddle, then reattaching the conchos.

western-roper-saddle-pattern-sizes western-roper-saddle-pattern-sizes-02

 

My Mum’s Singer sewing machine

When I received a Mexican Camaron saddle from Nohuando last year I was astounded at the stitching and embroidery all over it. Here was something to aspire to. But it was impossible (for me) to recreate by hand, even though I tried. Step forward my Mum’s Singer sewing machine 401 SLANT-O-MATIC, bought brand new in the fifties and in full working order to this day. A very sought after item. Leather needles bought and attached, it performed exceptionally well, even at tiny stitch lengths. You have to go very carefully, one wrong stitch and the leather is marked and… you have to start again. The only way to perfect those stitches is constant practice on scrap  pieces of leather, take your time and don’t sweat it if it goes wrong, life’s too short!

Thanks Mum!

 

Cutting leather

The first couple of test saddles I made were cut by hand. Even though I’ve been using scalpels for years, there were many attempts at various stages to produce decent pieces and that was all a little tedious! I was improving the more I did but didn’t feel I was ever going to be great at it. In my other job (designer), I use a really good production company called C3 Imaging. I knew they had cutting capabilities, I just didn’t know whether leather was something they could cut. Fortunately for me their Zund cutting machine can cut almost anything, given the right blade. One leather blade later and we did our first test cuts, so exciting and so successful. The cuts were sharp, clean and detailed. Score one for the technology!

I have since found that modern saddles these day are often cut and stitched using cutting and sewing machines, so I don’t feel that it’s an absolute necessity for the craft that everything should still be hand cut.