Beginner; first time cutting leather to size and second time sewing leather together.

[lukejmit]

I put iron to leather for the first time about 2 weeks ago. This is my first attempt at cutting leather to equal sizing, and second time sewing two pieces of leather together.

 

Feedback would be most welcome. (I don't have a suitable beveler). Thank you.

Edited January 19 by lukejmit

[TonyV]

Your stitches look quite even and tidy.  good job.  Next, learn how to backstitch.

I am not a big fan of burning the thread ends.  I think it often looks untidy and unprofessional from soot and burnt leather.  In most cases I will backstitch then tie a square knot between the layers, cutting the thread just below the surface.  A correctly tied square knot will not come undone and, once the seam is tapped down with the hammer, invisible.  In some cases when I can't tie a knot, I'll cut the thread short and  use the needle or an awl to tuck it down into the hole on the back side of the project with a small dab of white glue.  I will burn the ends occasionally, but not often.

If you must burn your ends, remember that you're not lighting a torch!  You don't want the thread to flame.  Cut short and just melt the ends enough to make a tiny mushroom and use the lighter or something to press it smooth while soft.  Make it as invisible as possible.

Edited January 19 by TonyV

[lukejmit]

Thank you for the comment @TonyV

When you say tie your square knot, do you then just cut the thread flush or near flush before hammering? 

Thank you very much for the advice. 

[ClaimedVacancy]

Very clean, and consistent. 

I wont comment on thread since its been touched on.

Very good and neat edge distance. Your thread slant is correct so you’re stitching appropriately with the slant of the hole slit. 
Apply the same technique to any (most) items such as bags or belts and it will turn out well!

 

[lukejmit]

Thank you for the feedback @ClaimedVacancy

[Dwight]

Stitching is good . . .  better than I do by hand . . . I'm a machine guy.

BUT . . . do yourself a favor . . . scratch around on the internet and grab up a Harbor Freight sale flyer or coupon . . . usually good fo 5 to 15 bucks.

THEN . . .go to harbor freight and buy a 30 inch bench top belt sander . . . the one with the little 1 inch wide belt.  Buy  some 80 grit belts to go with it.

Trying to cut leather so that all the edges match will cause you to pull your hair out.  Cut both of the a "tad" big . . . glue em up . . . and sand the edges.  I don't know anyone who can cut his pieces for as good a fit as I can make them with my litle hand dandy sander . . . I actually have 2 of em . . . 

Glue seom scrap pieces together . . . put a line on it with an awl . . . and sand it to the center of the line you struck with the awl . . . practice with it a bit  . . you'll learn . . . and you'll be just plumb tickled that you bought that little rascal.

May God bless,

Dwight

[lukejmit]

Thank you for the feedback @Dwight

[TonyV]

21 hours ago, lukejmit said:

Thank you for the comment @TonyV

When you say tie your square knot, do you then just cut the thread flush or near flush before hammering? 

Thank you very much for the advice. 

I tie the knot between the layers then cut the threads as close to the knot as I can get with my utility knife.  I don't use the knife to slice the thread in a cutting motion, but pull the thread against the thread so that they make the cutting motion.  This helps avoid cutting the leather.  If there is any little tag of thread still sticking out, just tuck it in, then hammer the seam.

[lukejmit]

Thank you very much for the additional feedback @TonyV