The London Lounge

Yes, I kept getting a message about an "SQL error" (whatever that is) but it's working now. I'll be interested to see what that backless vest is Thanx Doc

try R M Williams-I've been wearing their boots for years and they're great.

Thanx Doc

Gentlemen, Do any of you know where I might find a pattern for a cloak of the sort which used to be worn by equestrians, especially European ones, up until WW2? I have drawn up a pattern of my own, but I'd prefer to know what the proper design features are, rather than make it up for myself. I have ...

Dear HappyStroller Yes, it came as quite a surprise to me too. I think it would indeed be intolerable in any other circumstances. Having said that, my grandfather was a blacksmith in the pre-WW1 era (no airconditioning or computers back then) at Lightning Ridge here in Queensland (notorious for its ...

Dear Luk-cha,

Try Google international search www.icebreaker.com.

Mark T

Dear Loungers Some of you may not have heard of a New Zealand company called "Icebreaker". They make an excellent range of superfine merino garments (mostly skin- or mid-layers) in just about any style you might need, and at quite reasonable prices. While the range of colours is a little limited, th...

Dear Cantabragian, I forgot to mention possum hide. Apparently some idiot :roll: released a few Australian possums in New Zealand a few years ago, and now, as is the wont of introduced beasties, they are overbreeding maniacally and causing a real ecological problem for our Kiwi friends. The Kiwis, n...

Dear James T1 Yes, this would be quite feasible- Several techniques exist for covering an existing button or making one from scratch. It would look great on a tweed jacket, especially in two-tone leather! Cufflinks would also be quite smple to make, using the many types of Turk's head knots that exi...

Dear Cantabragian, I will only start learning to sew leather by hand next week, so it will be roohide only for the next little while. You are quite right about roo being slightly more susceptible to drying out than some leathers, but even so, it is fairly common for dress bridles to be made entirely...

Dear pchong, Roohide jackets, eh? I don't recall having encountered any, but this may be because the usable area of a hide is fairly small, especially when compared to cowhide, for example. This is probably why the Australian method of cutting lace came into being, to get the most use out of the lea...

Dear JamesT1, Thanks for the welcome; it's gratifying to get a reply, especially so quickly. Posting images of my work might be a bit difficult, as I (deep breath) don't...have...a...mobile (OOOH!) or...a...digital...camera (AAAH!) and my only camera is a Minolta 35mm. However, I can easily provide ...

Dear Gentlemen, Congratulations on the excellent forum, and on wearing your obviously considerable erudition so lightly; it reflects well on you. In 2007 I intend to resume self-employment in plaiting (and possibly sewing) kangaroo hide, making items such as belts, wallets and so forth. My operation...

Dear Kolecho :wink: This is my first entry, so here goes... I have found, quite by accident, that a close-fitting garment of fine wool such as lambswool, cashmere or SM will keep the wearer not only warm in winter, but cool in summer as well. This is because the perspiration is absorbed into the woo...