BobW

Thanks. I wrapped the phone in cellophane and then worked the wet leather with my fingers and a cheap Tandy plastic bone folder. The dye is Tandy Cordovan, also the cheap stuff.

Thanks ferg, My burnishing does need work. The edges around the opening were intentionally left raw as I could not figure out a way to burnish around the tight radius's given the equipment I had at my disposal. The stitched edges had a very good burnish on them before I dyed. I glued it up and drilled the holes for stitching before I dyed it and it started falling apart instantly when the dye was applied. I stitched it up real quick but it left an unsightly edge. Lesson: dye first, glue after. cseeger, I appreciate honesty. Don't hold back if you see a post I have started. That's why I post them. I am not going to re-do anything, what's done is done. Leather is relatively cheap. You brought up a really good point. I too, much prefer the finished appearance of lined cases. The leather I was working with was a very poor quality. The backside was awful. I tried sanding and the fiber "hairs" just got worse, and as ferg pointed out, my burnishing is inadequate and inconsistent (my words, not his:). Lesson: if you want top quality results, you have to spend the money on top quality materials. A Smithy? I do very little "blacksmith" type work. All the hammering really ticks the neighbors off! That is another plus to leather working, the neighbors aren't giving me dirty looks every time I see them. Bob

Here are the first and second pieces I have made. The cell phone sleeve is for my RAZR M with an Otterbox Defender case. The card case is finished natural with brown pig skin lining. Both are made from ~4 oz veg tan leather and white waxed thread.

Thanks everyone. It is my very first piece ever. I am practicing leather working in order to incorporate into my first love, metal fabrication. These are only hobbies but I have found they both provide an avenue for creativity that is not possible in my 9 to 5.

Hi everyone. I am very new to leather working. In fact I just finished my first piece. Its very exciting! I think I my have gotten the bug! I made a case for my phone. Very simple but much better looking than the Otterbox. The pictures aren't that great, I was in a hurry and took them with my son's phone. The case is made from ~4oz veg tan leather. I used Tandy waxed nylon thread and blunt saddle needles to hand stitch it. I wet formed the case directly on my phone with the Otterbox in place! I did cover it with plastic wrap first! I didn't come out perfect, but it did come out better than I expected for a first try.