My First Leather Creation

[Spud11400]

Hello everyone, here is my first leather creation. It was made out of chrome tanned leather so no stamping.

I think it is a coin purse, not sure though.

Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated,

Thank you.

[WyomingSlick]

Well...it is a start ! Congratulations !

A few pointers.......

An inexpensive utility knife, perhaps one of those with snap-off blades will give you a cleaner cut than those old cheapo scissors. Use your ruler as a straight edge to make the long straight cuts. For the curved cuts, look around and see what you can find to use as a guide for them. Perhaps some jar lids ? Coins? Washers?

No, it isn't a coin purse. Coin purses are something that need to be opened on a regular basis, so a leather tie is not the way to go there. Perhaps it is a protective case for a treasured heirloom, or keepsake.....that will only be opened once in a while.. A button or a snap would be better for a coin purse.

It looks like you used the smallest tube on the rotary punch to make the stitching holes and that is fine for now. You might look and see if you have a fork with evenly spaced tines to mark the holes so they are spaced consistantly. Use your ruler first to mark a straight stitching line, and then the fork to space the holes.

When starting your stitching, it is not necessary, or even a good idea to make the first loop around the outside, despite what you may have seen in some YouTube videos. All I could ever figure for some people doing that......was to empasize that their item is handsewn since a machine will not do that. When you do each stitch, do it the exact same way so that your stiching will be more even. That is, bring the first needle through from the same side everytime and pass the second needle over, or under the first thread the same way every time. On an item like this where you have some access to the inside and the leather is flexible......instead of having that ugly knot showing, you could do your normal backstitch and then instead of tying a knot on the outside, have each needle go through only one layer of leather and emerge inside of the item. Tie the first half of a square knot and pull it up tight inside your item, and then finish the knot with the other tie, pull it up snug and tight, and reach in there with your scissors and snip the ends off. Wallah.....no more ugly knot showing !

[Leatherbaron]

_{what ever it is , it's leatherwork....}

_{the next will be better , and the next}

_{you wiill get adicted}

_rgds

[Wild Bill46]

I realize this is your first piece, and even though constructive criticism is good here in your infancy with leather. Take, and use what you feel is comfortable for you, from those of us willing to share here, You will develop your own style or way of doing for yourself.

However for a first time endivieur your doing great. !! Good luck and keep on sharing.

[Spud11400]

Thank you WyomingSlick for the criticism, and thank you Wild Bill46 and Leatherbaron for the encouragement.

This place is awesome!