Journeys into Leathercraft….

[MrEd]

I have been on and off trying leather work for years and years now, pretty much since about 2008/09 since I discovered my grandfather (died before I was born) was a leather worker after his WW1 Service.

These are the first two things I ever made, very crude and naive as I didn’t know then the first thing about proper saddle stitching, how to punch holes, cut squarely or finish edges! But I am quite fond of them and use them for storing leather tools to this day.



These are the most recent few items I have made in the past month, mostly in the evenings after work. The stitching is quite different now! I really like the
headspace it gives me and enjoy the process of experimenting and learning.

Here are some notebooks covers and my first go at a possibles pouch with some basket weave stamping!



A note book cover I made for my sister-in-law, and a couple valet trays, a golf ball holder and a couple of minimalist wallets for some Christmas presents.








I have also recently tried learning tooling but after being given a whole boxful of tools, and it is *hard* but again I like the process. Can’t do it in the evenings as the ‘tappety-tap-tap’ drives the rest of the family nuts!


I don’t get out as much as I used to for various reasons, but would like to post projects and items I make here in lieu
Ed

 

[Broch]

Fantastic improvement! It is a very rewarding pastime.

 

[Toddy]

That is such a clear record of how determined practice really does develop our skills

Lovely work

M

 

[Brizzlebush]

I think you've improved!
Really good to see your progression there. They're looking very professional, nice one!

 

[GeoffWood]

Nice work coming through, and everything 100% usable.

 

[MrEd]

Thanks all

Things I want to experiment with are:
- wet forming using a mould and surround (to make pouches and trays etc). My brother is making some forms for me

- clicker press cutting - I have ordered a small of dies to cut a pouch and am going to try it with my hydraulic press.

For sewing I sewed this over the last few days so I can try think a bit more about hole size vs thread size, I think I like the top two and the second down on the left. I also sewed another bit experimenting casting forwards and backwards and pulling the thread tight in different directions to see how it affected the thread layout. Casting correctly gets the thread stacked on the front and rear, which is nice