Saddle Repair Billets & Rips

I'm cobbler, shoemaker and entreprenuer Teri Edmonds. In this Cobblers Masterclass series I am going to teach you my top skills I use to make money repairing and making things for others. It also demonstrates how to do it from the comfort of your own home. The Cobbler Masterclass series includes a complete list of supplies, steps and links to additional resources to complete your shoe cobbling-shoe making journey. This lesson, lesson #11, is an overview of basic saddle repair and the supplies you will need.

History:
I opened my shoe store, If The Shoe Fits Maui, in 2001. The store specialized in women's large and wide sizes. My job consists of painting, gluing, dying, sewing, designing and making things. Of course, not every day is dreamy. I still have to do the bookkeeping, cleaning and the diplomacy of customer service. However, my top goals in life are being met. I am my own boss and I set my own hours. I get paid to do what I love and I want to share that knowledge with you.

This series has been designed with the student/entreprenuer in mind. Each specific skill taught here has proven to bring me consistent business income. I demonstrate how to do each of the projects from home using a basic set of tools and supplies.

Cobbler Masterclass Lessons: There are 14 videos in the Cobbler Masterclass Series.

1. Overview (YouTube publish date: May 9, 2020)
2. Workshop Tools (YouTube publish date: May 10, 2020)
3. Cleaning & Conditioning (YouTube publish date: May 16, 2020)
4. Polishing Shoes (YouTube publish date: May 17, 2020)
5. Dying Fabric Shoes and Handbags (YouTube publish date: May 23, 2020)
6. Gluing Shoes (YouTube publish date: May 24, 2020)
7. Painting Leather (YouTube publish date: May 30 ,2020)
8. Shoe Stretching (YouTube publish date: May 31, 2020)
9. Insoles (YouTube publish date: June 6, 2020)
10. Birkenstock Care (YouTube publish date: June 7, 2020)
11. Equestrian Boot and Saddle Repair (YouTube publish date: June 13, 2020)
12. Belts-Making and Repair (YouTube publish date: June 14, 2020)
13. Sewing Leather Goods (YouTube publish date: June 20, 2020)
14. Installing Hardware-Craftool Pro Handpress (YouTube publish date: June 21, 2020)

Cobbler Masterclass Supplies:

3. Cleaning and Conditioning: Lincoln EZ-Suede cleaner, Cadillac Boot and Shoe Care, dish, Tacco nylon brush, towel.
4. Polishing Shoes: Moneysworth cream polish, Lincoln Wax, polishing cloth, horse hair applicator brush, 8 inch horsehair polish brush.
5. Dying Fabric Shoes and Handbags: International Dye Chart, dye, Measuring glass, large and small daubers, sample swatch, jar for larger batches
6. Gluing Shoes: Masters Cement, Masters Thinner, Screwdriver, razor knife, sandpaper, oil can dremmel and kit, respirator, loves, safety glasses, Gorilla Super Glue
7. Painting Leather: Angelus Leather Paint-various colors, color wheel, paint brushes, rags
8. Shoe Stretching: Width stretchers, rubbing alcohol, water, spray bottle, heat gun
9. Insoles: Leather, Glue, scissors, sandpaper, paint, paint brush
10. Birkenstock Care: EZ-Suede Cleaner, dish, cloth, Cork Renew
11. Equestrian Boot and Saddle Repair: Craftool Pro Workshop, glue, sandpaper, hammer/mallot
12. Belt Making & Repair: Craftool Pro Workshop, hammer, glue, waxed sinew, hand sewing needle, skiving knife, leather dye, leather polish, sandpaper, rivets, Craftool Pro Handpress, handpress dies, leather, roller knife, buckle and keeper
13. Sewing Leather Goods: Janome 3000, nylon thread, scissors, needle-nose pliers, hand-punch
14. Installing hardware for leather: Craftool Pro Handpress, handpress dies, wide double cap rivets, solid brass rivets, line 24 snaps, stamps, copper rivets and burs,round spots, tubular rivets, large eyelets, small eyelets, segma snaps.

[lindatiller]

I need to replace the filler material in the knee roll area on an old English saddle. There’s no tears but material feels like it’s disintegrated down to crumbles! I was tempted to replace with upholstery foam cut and shaped to fit. I also have wool leftover from other saddle repairs. Please tell me what you would recommend. Thank you

[pcolvin]

I'm just over here wondering what keeps the little bit of leather you left to sew to on those bullets....how does it not break off? Found this video in my search to see if my old English saddle I picked up cheap. Is worth the effort. I'm on a budget, but I'm crafty, so there's that.

[scottseal]

No offense ma'am but you definitely should not splice billets. They should be compleatly replaced with English bridle theater. That's super dangerous.