Getting Started - Wallets

[KAMIKAZE]

Hello, my name is Joe. I want to get started with making wallets. What tools will I need? I know the obvious tool is a sewing machine - what brand? I want to work with Alligator, Cowhide and Ostrich. Also what is a good place to pick up the leather?

thanks!!

[abn]

Hi, Joe:

Welcome to LW.net. You don't necessarily need to invest in a sewing machine to make wallets. Sure, it'll speed up the construction process, but you might want to try hand-stitching your first couple of projects before making such a large investment. (Some of us old-fashioned folks even prefer to hand-stitch.)

I don't work in exotic leathers, but I'd suggest checking Springfield Leather, as they can probably meet most of your supply needs. Regarding tools, I'd guess you'll need needles, thread, a stitching awl, leather shears, white glue or contact cement, leather dye, maybe edge dye... Hmm... What am I missing?

Good luck on your first projects, and be sure to post pics!

Best regards, -Alex

[KAMIKAZE]

Hi, Joe:

Welcome to LW.net. You don't necessarily need to invest in a sewing machine to make wallets. Sure, it'll speed up the construction process, but you might want to try hand-stitching your first couple of projects before making such a large investment. (Some of us old-fashioned folks even prefer to hand-stitch.)

I don't work in exotic leathers, but I'd suggest checking Springfield Leather, as they can probably meet most of your supply needs. Regarding tools, I'd guess you'll need needles, thread, a stitching awl, leather shears, white glue or contact cement, leather dye, maybe edge dye... Hmm... What am I missing?

Good luck on your first projects, and be sure to post pics!

Best regards, -Alex

Thanks for the response. I'm really concerned on this type of stitching and the inside of wallets. I'm guessing they call them a "lace"?

[BAD HIDE]

The first one's edge laced, and it's done by punching slots with a chisel and then lacing by hand. The second doesn't even look like leather to me, but vinyl stitched on a regular sewing machine. When we talk about machines on this site, we usually are talking about leather sewing machines, which are much bigger, have the power and capacity to punch through thick leather, and are much more expensive than fabric machines which probably can't do much more than a few layers of the thinnest lining leather without problems. If all you're buying a machine for is to sew interiors, then I'd do it by hand. You'd be doing yourself a favor learning how to sew with an awl and two needles (get the Al Stohlman Art of Handsewing Leather) 'cuz not everything can be machine sewn. I also use a 4 prong diamond chisel on flimsy interior leathers. It's not that labor intensive, just grab a beer and go to town. As far as other tools, just read through this site, ask questions, and experiment.

[albane]

Hello, my name is Joe. I want to get started with making wallets. What tools will I need? I know the obvious tool is a sewing machine - what brand? I want to work with Alligator, Cowhide and Ostrich. Also what is a good place to pick up the leather?

thanks!!

Ok Joe,

I'll bite at your post.

I must say It's posts like this that chap my hide!!

For one be as vague as possible. How can we help you if we have no hint to your location or experience? Can you afford to do this and at what level? Do you want to make one wallet or one hundred or a thousand? If you want a good useful answer you need to disclose a bit of information.

I know you THINK you have a great idea and are gonna get rich with it , but in this forum there is nothing we haven't seen or done.

With leather products as with any other endeavor its not the idea that gets the sale it's all in the marketing.

Please be mindful that the kind people at Leatherworker.net are freely giving of there time and knowledge.

There is and old saying around computers "Trash in trash out' With all due respect your questions lack the minimum information necessary to provide you with a quality answer.

Edited August 28, 2010 by albane

[KAMIKAZE]

Ok Joe,

I'll bite at your post.

I must say It's posts like this that chap my hide!!

For one be as vague as possible. How can we help you if we have no hint to your location or experience? Can you afford to do this and at what level? Do you want to make one wallet or one hundred or a thousand? If you want a good useful answer you need to disclose a bit of information.

I know you THINK you have a great idea and are gonna get rich with it , but in this forum there is nothing we haven't seen or done.

With leather products as with any other endeavor its not the idea that gets the sale it's all in the marketing.

Please be mindful that the kind people at Leatherworker.net are freely giving of there time and knowledge.

There is and old saying around computers "Trash in trash out' With all due respect your questions lack the minimum information necessary to provide you with a quality answer.

Quite frankly I have not a slightest clue on leather working, "tooling". I do however have vast knowledge in the auto area. As in welding, etc. I'm pretty good with my hands. I am wanting to do this as a hobby, not a get rich scheme. I could care less I did a business. I want to make myself a wallet, etc. This is the reason for the thread - I have no knowledge in this area of work.

[albane]

Joe,

Now we have some information to work with.

I would suggest finding a guild or a Tandy Leather store.

most Tandy stores teach basic leather working and with a little bit of effort you should be able to make the crock wallet you are showing in the photo.

Leather work is like most skills built one simple skill after another.

I would put my efforts into pattern development and the lacing technique.

Don;t make the newbie mistake by not leaving enough room for the outer shell to wrap around the inner components when closed.

The lacing while simple requires and attention to detail that can lead to frustration if your not prepared for it. i.e. inadvertently twisting the lace only to discover the error at the last moment and having to re do it.

Your Tandy mentor will provide some starter kits that have all been precut with detailed instructions so you can learn the skills without a big investment.

Regarding the black wallet the disciplines involved are in most part the same. Pattern making, ease, and fit that unfortunately is where the similarity's end. Sewing with a machine is a simple process but like anything it takes a bit of skill building and after a few tries you should be OK.. The key is having access to the proper equipment for the job at hand. While most machines look alike they sew or stitch different textiles differently. Machines can range from a couple hundred dollars to thousands depending on the model and it's capacity. my next machine is going to cost me about $5000 and it won't sew anything as lite as a wallet.

May I be so bold as to suggest starting slow without spending lots of money, get some skills, expand on them and build your tools as you need them. Again your local Tandy operator will be glad to help along the way.

There may be a guild in your community that can be helpful as well.

Good luck Most importantly have fun and let us know how things are going for you,

Al

[KAMIKAZE]

Joe,

Now we have some information to work with.

I would suggest finding a guild or a Tandy Leather store.

most Tandy stores teach basic leather working and with a little bit of effort you should be able to make the crock wallet you are showing in the photo.

Leather work is like most skills built one simple skill after another.

I would put my efforts into pattern development and the lacing technique.

Don;t make the newbie mistake by not leaving enough room for the outer shell to wrap around the inner components when closed.

The lacing while simple requires and attention to detail that can lead to frustration if your not prepared for it. i.e. inadvertently twisting the lace only to discover the error at the last moment and having to re do it.

Your Tandy mentor will provide some starter kits that have all been precut with detailed instructions so you can learn the skills without a big investment.

Regarding the black wallet the disciplines involved are in most part the same. Pattern making, ease, and fit that unfortunately is where the similarity's end. Sewing with a machine is a simple process but like anything it takes a bit of skill building and after a few tries you should be OK.. The key is having access to the proper equipment for the job at hand. While most machines look alike they sew or stitch different textiles differently. Machines can range from a couple hundred dollars to thousands depending on the model and it's capacity. my next machine is going to cost me about $5000 and it won't sew anything as lite as a wallet.

May I be so bold as to suggest starting slow without spending lots of money, get some skills, expand on them and build your tools as you need them. Again your local Tandy operator will be glad to help along the way.

There may be a guild in your community that can be helpful as well.

Good luck Most importantly have fun and let us know how things are going for you,

Al

Thanks for the response Al. Do you recommend a book to get more acquainted with the parts of leather working?

[Sparks]

Do you recommend a book to get more acquainted with the parts of leather working?

I am not one who has gotten into fancy tooling, but I like doing leather work. In addition to Al Stohlman's book on "The Art of Hand Sewing Leather," I'd also recommend four other books of his.

"Leathercraft Tools, How to use them, How to sharpen them" is an excellent book on just what it says...using and sharpening leather tools. I also recommend Al Stohlman's "The Art of Making Leather Cases, Volume ONE." And when you can afford it, get volumes two and three of that set.

Sparks

Boise, ID

[albane]

Allow your mentor to guide you as he or she sees fit or you may end up with a pile of books you don't need.