Kymberly

Hi all, Thanks for helping me with this! I've taken some more photos (just trying to figure out how to add them to this post). I'd like to know if this cut is considered cheap leather. I can't afford really good leather yet but I'd like to get something in-between while I'm learning. Kym :-) Hi all, Ok, here are some more photos. What do you think?

Hi Oz, I'm a bit confused because this leather is so thick and is hard to bend. It looks like it's been treated with some kind of a plastic surface. When I use it I have to skive a lot off underneath in order to stitch (unless I saddle stitch areas). I'm wondering if the person who said it was from the belly was wrong. Maybe I should post some close up photos showing the underneath and edges?

Thanks for the positive feedback! I'll need to start selling some things soon as I can't afford to keep buying the leather and getting nothing back. I'm just not sure when I'll be good enough. I'll definitely keep at it. :-))

Thanks leatherwytch! :-) Did you manage to free yourself from the mundane job by working with leather?? My daughter is going to test the bag out and let me know if it's ok. Next time, I will use thinner leather as it was a nightmare to finish I have to say!! By the way, I lived in Calgary for a number of years. :-))

I've been searching for a leather apprenticeship position in London without much luck. If anyone has any advice (or a position!) I'd be grateful. Thanks!

I don't know much about different types of leather as I've only just started leather working. I purchased some leather (photos below) which is rather thick and it feels like it's been coated with plastic. It cost me £35 per piece. I bought it to make a leather ladies bag but it's not great to work with and I'm regretting my choice. Is this considered a cheap leather? When I bought it the fella said it was Italian leather and from the belly. I don't know if that's bad or good. If anyone had some advice on this I'd appreciate it! Thanks Kim

I don't know much about different types of leather as I've only just started leather working. I purchased some leather (photos below) which is rather thick and it feels like it's been coated with plastic. It cost me £35 per piece. I bought it to make a leather ladies bag but it's not great to work with and I'm regretting my choice. Is this considered a cheap leather? When I bought it the fella said it was Italian leather and from the belly. I don't know if that's bad or good. If anyone had some advice on this I'd appreciate it! Thanks Kim

Thanks Pkay! It was challenging making the boots but it was in a classroom setting so I was able to ask the instructor questions - this helped a lot! I also had use of the large more industrial machines. All the other projects have been sewn using my sewing and also by hand (because some of the sections of the bag were so thick!). I just want to get good enough to feel confident about selling items. Thanks for the positive comment Monica. I've been making lots of little mistakes as I go a long. Like the leather I'm using for the bags is way to thick and a nightmare to work with (for the type of bags I'm making). I started using polyester thread which kept breaking but have switched to nylon now which works like a dream. :-))

Thanks Brian. I've so much to learn and just want to get to a point where I can confidently sell some things. I'm making a new bag at the moment and the stitching on one of the handles is a little wonky in one part. I just feel gutted when something like that happens thinking ... urrggg I can't think to sell something where the stitching isn't perfect! I know it's going to take a long time but buying the material is expensive!

Thanks Tina! Yes, it's been a huge learning curve. I started by taking a boot making course at the London School of Fashion. That really got me started. However, you can't make boots without the proper machinery so I've been experimenting and making different things. I made a number of mistakes on the bag. I started by using polyester thread which kept breaking. I then switched to nylon which is working much better. I learn something new with each project so it's been challenging but lots of fun. I've not sewed before but bought a 201k singer sewing machine. So that was a learning curve also. However, I love this old machine. It's like a tank! It's strange because there is no stretch in the leather I'm using for the handbag. In fact it's rather stiff. It was a nightmare turning the bag right side round after hand stitching the corners. I thought I might have to give up but finally... finally... after putting my foot in, a rolling pin, etc... haha... it worked.

Hi all, I just posted in another thread but perhaps this is the best place for a new member to get to know others! :-) I started working with leather about six months ago. I started by taking a boot making course at the London School of Fashion. I really enjoyed it and decided to experiment and try making other things. At the moment I'm working on ladies handbags. I have been using an old 201k singer sewing machine for some of the projects which is great. I'd never sewed before so that's also been a big learning curve for me. I'm trying to change careers. I've always been creative (painting, design, music, etc) but my main job was working in an office. I want to get away from the computer and spend most of my time working and creating. Hoping to get good enough to sell some pieces one day. :-)) Here's some of my work:

Hi all, I've just joined the forum and am hoping I'll learn a lot from others! I started working with leather about six months ago. I've made a few things which I've posted below. One question I have is about the quality of leather. As I'm a beginner, I don't want to work with the most expensive leather but I still want quality. The leather I'm using to make the handbags is Italian leather and they told me it was from the belly. I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. Can anyone give me some advice? Here are some things I've made over the past couple of months: