Want to get started on this craft

[revilop]

Hello hope you all had a good near year and Christmas.

First try out sheath for the scissors 

Had some issues with the thread that came on the kit or maybe I just need to hone my sewing skills and learn how to use the tools better

Start getting used to them what some.videos on how to saw.

Also got some leather from tandy like some of you suggested tried getting some from.kichaels it is over prized, Amazon I think I choose the wrong one small amount of it for like 30 bucks . But tandy was the best option and it was for sale.

Any suggestions things to keep a look on

[fredk]

We need more information on what tools you have, what tools you are using and so on

[AlZilla]

39 minutes ago, fredk said:

We need more information on what tools you have, what tools you are using and so on

This earlier post shows the starter kit he got. Pretty much what you'd expect.

 

[AlZilla]

3 hours ago, revilop said:

Had some issues with the thread that came on the kit or maybe I just need to hone my sewing skills and learn how to use the tools better

It's a small sample so not a lot to go on.  Definitely a skill and practice issue more so than a thread issue. Some of the stitches are very consistent, while others look like a road map ... Exactly where most of us started. The bottom right corner of the first pic looks like one of the holes is out of line.  This can be caused by not holding the pricking iron exactly vertical. It's amazing how a little tilt can move the bottom hole out of line.  One key to good stitching is consistent hand motions. Up, down, over, under, left, right, whatever you do, do it exactly the same on each stitch.

The edge looks like it could have used a little sandpaper before burnishing. Many crafters will go through several grits of sandpaper before they ever pick up the edge slicker. To a point, it's a personal taste thing. For me, I rarely go finer than 150. Others will run up to 600.

All things considered, you've turned out a functional piece you can use and gotten your feet wet, so I'd call it a success. 

Maybe look for one of the many places that sell bags of scrap leather. For what it is, I think it's over priced but it gives you some pieces to make key fobs, coasters, card holders and other small things to practice all these little skills.

Hopefully more experienced crafters will weigh in, too. I've only been at it a couple years myself but I'm comfortable offering as much as I have here.

 

[SUP]

I bought a kit, it cost me about $120.00 from Amazon and a utility knife. I first made knife sheaths, Every knife at home has a sheath from my first attempts. This gave me an idea of how to cut leather, how to punch it to make stitching holes and how to sew leather. Then decided what I wanted to do next. Learning leatherwork is  a step-by-step process, like everything else. You can make bigger, more complicated items, but the quality might not be as you would like because you might not have sufficient practice or knowledge to do it well.

My two cents' worth.

A bit late in the conversation though. 🙂

I drew the shape of the knife blades on paper, traced that onto leather, added a border for the sewing and jumped right in. it worked.

Edited yesterday at 12:44 AM by SUP

[TonyV]

It looks like you're piercing your thread with the needles.  This causes tangles and it's a common problem for beginners.  Run the left needle through the hole then pull the thread back toward yourself so that your right-hand needle has room to go through the hole without piercing the thread.  When the RH needle is about halfway through, tug on the left thread to test whether it's pierced or not.  If the RH needle moves with the tug, it's easy to fix now.

Study a couple vids on how to saddle stitch by. J.H. Leather on youtube and you'll see what I'm trying to explain.  Watch a couple times, practice on scrap and before you know it, you'll have a decent stitch.  Once you have the knack, you will only get better.  Until your arthritis takes over 🙄

[revilop]

Thanks for all your advice yes it tangled I stitched in the air lol didn't have something to hold it steady... I saw a few videos and most people has a table with a clamp to hold it steady while stitching

I saw one of her videos they are good.

And I believe I might have already some hand problem my ring finger and pinky started to numb lol. 

I tried sanding to even put but it felt like I was just damaging the leather 

[AlZilla]

9 hours ago, revilop said:

tried sanding to even put but it felt like I was just damaging the leather 

Some leather just doesn't sand well. Also, that's fairly thin leather, which I've had trouble with, too.

[wizard of tragacanth]

Is your thread waxed or un-waxed? Is it Linen or Nylon?

Linen is more difficult because it can bunch up behind the leather when pulled through a hole. I recommend Nylon/Poly.

I'm wondering if your thread has enough wax on it, or if you are un-twisting the thread as you are stitching in the air while turning your work around. Stitching in the air is not a problem if you maintain the twist in your thread. Can you see the cords separating just as you are about to complete the stitch?

To prepare the thread for use, use the same motion that you would if you were waxing it. Grasp one end of the thread with one hand and draw the thread between two fingers of the other hand. The tension and pressure on the thread consolidates the cords.

Nick

[fredk]

@revilop I would advise you to get a stitching clamp. It'll make things easier, your sewing will improve greatly being able to have something to hold your work in. A clamp can cost as little as $10, but is worth its weight in uranium Or you can make your own from scraps of wood. When I started in this lark 25 years ago I made my own clamp, and still use it

My ancient home-made one;

 

My bought in one, more transportable cos it comes apart easily & is smaller;