The repair work continues

I spent time last evening reinforcing seams by going over the topstitching that was still intact. I decided to just use brown thread and not try to duplicate the thread that was originally used to construct the jacket. It's a weird color anyway and the brown thread just disappears. I got both pockets fixed. Here is what it looked like before and after.

Next, I was looking at the sleeves and that is a whole different animal. There are two seams in each sleeve. One topstitched seam and then a normal seam. The topstitched seam is coming apart at the elbow.

The regular seam is coming apart in a couple places on both sleeves especially at the cuff. I didn't want to have to take the cuffs off, but looking at this you can see I have no choice in order to fix the seam properly the cuff will have to be removed.   I will have to ripped both sleeves open at the regular seam to reinforce the top stitched seam, sew the regular seam back together, then put the cuffs back on. The cuffs need a lot of repair work which will be tricky since there is a snap. Geeze! This jacket just keeps on giving! LOL!!!

One thing I did do after I fixed the pockets, was to spray the backside/inside of the pockets with that cleaner/conditioner product to see what would happen. The backside of the leather really soaked up the product and the leather was much softer after it was dry. Here is a before and after.

I decided to turn the jacket inside out this morning and spray the entire raw wrong side of the leather with that conditioner. It is hanging in the garage to dry. The jacket was easier to work on since I sprayed the right side, but the leather is still a bit stiff. Maybe spraying the inside will soften it up even more.

A closer look reveals more issues

The lining is all sewn together. I needed to sew a underarm seam that was coming apart. While doing that I noticed that more of the side seam needed reinforced. I thought to myself, if that needed reinforcing what else needs fixed? Everything! The thread is rotting and every seam needs reinforced, and the topstitching also needs repaired or replaced where it is missing.

Here is one of the two pockets. The stitching is gone

On the inside of the jacket, this pocket is useless until it is resewn.

I guess the tattered lining wasn't the biggest issue! Oh, wait until I get to the cuffs. That's a whole issue that is going to take some magic!

Jacket progress

I got the lining taken apart last night. I used the pieces as patterns for the new lining. The new lining is almost sewn together. I only have to sew the side and sleeve seam together. I was short on time last night because I had to stay a work later to get some guys onboarded. That lost me an hour's worth of sewing time!

There was some damage on the interior waistband of the jacket. Someone decided to whip stitch the damage.

I cut a small piece of leather and tucked it in the waistband.

Found my bottle of leather glue. This is the best stuff! I used it when I glued all those crystals on my nephew's show jackets.

Dabbed a bit of glue on the patching piece

and pressed the layers together. This won't ever come apart. I left the leather patch short of the top of the waistband so I wouldn't be sewing thru another layer once I install the lining. The glue will be dry by tonight so I can keep moving on this project.

Here are a couple jackets I made when I worked at the shop. I was scared the first jacket that I would mess it up, but the owner took me thru the construction step-by-step and it turned out fine. I didn't do any of the cutting out - I was just handed the pieces to put it together. Usually we always put a zipper in the jackets, but I saw a show on PBS that showed how to make a bound button hole with leather. I showed it to the people at work and they had me put buttonholes in the jackets management was going to wear to the big annual horse show. Don't know whatever became of that because I was the only one who made the leather jackets and I left after a year of working for next to nothing and no benefits.

We had some thunder and lighting last evening, but didn't get much rain.

Change in plans and a box of tote bag fabric

I received a text from a fellow I use to work with. He asked if I still had his dad's leather jacket. He had given it to me years ago to put a new lining in it. I just kept putting it off. Well, he would like the jacket so I need to get it fixed by Friday.  Sometimes I just need a deadline!  LOL!!  The lining is beyond repair and needs replaced. It's a mess.

I started taking the lining out and noticed some white stuff in several places. I don't know what it was, but between that and how stiff the leather was I knew I needed something to clean it up. After a bit of research and due to time constraints, I decided to head to the AutoZone near my house and see what they had. I bought a bottle of condition/cleaner by the Chemical Guys. Their products had excellent reviews online.

Here is a sleeve before and after. It doesn't look dramatically different, but the leather is softer and the white stuff came off. I wiped off the excess product, but I think the jacket could use another treatment. I figured I would let the jacket have overnight to make sure all the product was absorbed. I will wipe it down with a dry t-shirt rag before I start sewing in the lining.  I will probably give it a second treatment after I get all the repairs done.

I will take the lining apart to use the pieces for a pattern.

Here is the new lining fabric that I bought years ago. There is a lot of repair work that needs to be done so I went thru my bin of leather and found a piece of dark brown that may come in handy. The scrap is lamb, but I am not sure what type of leather the jacket is. It is not as heavy as goat so I think it might be lamb. I had made jackets out of lamb years ago when I worked at the shop making clothes for people who showed Western Horses so I have had some experience. It is just a bit scary because I don't want to mess this up.

Wanda sent me a box of fabrics she no longer wanted and I am to use them for tote bags. It is a wonderful eclectic selection of fabrics that will make some fun bags! Thank you, Wanda!

In trade, I will make her some curved top pouches. She sent a piece of fabric she had already quilted, but hadn't made the pouch. Then she sent a cute cherry fabric with woodrings for the lining for two more pouches.

Another baby quilt top sewn and marking the damage

The other baby quilt top is now sewn together. It measures 39" x 52".

I spread out that comforter and marked 12 places with safety pins that need fixed.

I recognized this fabric. It is from the mid to late 70's.

Mowing and sewing

I have been keeping busy. Friday evening, I mowed and I was drenched with sweat by the time I got done. I only mowed the front and one side yard just to spruce the place up. I did have a visitor and he didn't seem all that scared of me.

One of the African Violet plants gifted to me in February bloomed! I was surprised. I have do find a bigger pot for it. The pot I have is a two-part unit. I will have to do some research on African Violet pots.

I spent Saturday working on making half and half blocks for the pink, brown, and gray baby quilt. I went digging around and found more scraps. Here are the leftover blocks I will save for the next quilt.

Then I have all these scraps that I will sew together and turn into half and half blocks. Any end cuts too small I will make 4-patches out of them.

The pink quilt top is now sewn together. The finished quilt will measure approximately 40" x 45".

I had another pile of scraps I worked on and turned them into 23 four patch blocks. If feels good to get all those piles of scraps turned into useful parts!

Scrap four patches, pressing fabric, and fleece

I was still a bit tired last evening so I decided to just work on easy stuff. I sewed together the rest of the pieces from that pile of cut offs. I found a few more pieces that were big enough to trim to half and half blocks for zig zag quilts.

The half and half blocks are trimmed and about half of the four patch are trimmed.

I need to get my big table cleared off so I pressed the pile of washed fabrics that had been sitting for about two weeks.

My two bolts of iron on fleece showed up. I found a really good deal on ebay. I use this for making my project bags now instead of woven iron on interfacing. It gives the project bags a bit more heft.

I don't need to go anywhere this weekend that I know of right now so I will be working in the studio. I would like to get a baby quilt quilted and get this comforter fixed.

I will make a quick trip to the grocery store post office if I get the comforter done so it can be on it's way back to its owner. Have a great weekend!

7th finish for 2025

Yes! I finally got the homespun quilt done! I was so tired yesterday from the show, but I was determined to get something accomplished. The quilt turned out 72" x 90".

I spent some time getting my sister's birthday present done, wrapped and mailed. I will show you that once she receives it. I also cut out more tote bags. The 13 I had gotten done and took to the show in Erie was enough and there were a few left over. We have 4 more shows yet this season so more bags will be needed.

Tuesday's adventures

The band had a show in Erie Pennsylvania. I made cookies in the morning to take.

I got 5 more tote bags done before it was time to head out.

I did see two yellow finches eating the coneflower seeds.

It was a two hour drive to Erie and we hit some hard rain a couple of times

It was a beautiful venue right on Lake Erie. There was a big crowd and even boats pulled up to listen.

It was hot and my face felt like it was on fire. We had a fan, but the heat and humidity was oppressive. The trip home seemed like longer than two hours. I got a shower and hit the bed at midnight.