Hi Clare, I have not been into leatherwork very long myself. What I done was bought some 1.2 mm and 3.2 mm veg shoulder from Metropolitan Leather at Thrapston near Kettering. I then made belts ,coffee coasters and guitar straps from the 3.2, and Watch straps, pouches and minimalist wallets with the1.2. All these avail themselves to be stamped, stitched , cut and wet moulded. And because they are smallish , you get plenty of practice. I hope this helps. T