Feeble Attempt At A Wallet

[RobDude30]

Here's the finished product. My first attempt at a hipster wallet. Overall, I think the construction of it turned out well. It seems to be very sturdy and functional. Pigskin lining leather inside. Calf outside. Used some cloth for lining in the bill pocket. Hand sewn with country red 3-cord waxed linen in the visible areas. Pockets sewn together with Gutermann's 100% polyester thread. Dyed with Fiebing's mahogany and finished with Resolene and Kiwi neutral polish.

It still needs some work in the "looks" department. Not the prettiest thing in the world. Let me know what you think!

[terrahyd]

HI ROB;;

you did well Rob.. might watch you stitch lines ? but the rest looks very nice ..thanks for sharing .......regards...Doc...

[TwinOaks]

Excellent first wallet! Probably outlast the cheap ones by 20 years or more.

A few minor details, like the stitch line, but over all a fantastic job.

[RobDude30]

Thanks for the kind words and advice. I did have a tough time with the stitches on this one. There are a bunch of "firsts" that likely played a role - new awl with a smaller blade, much smaller linen cord than I have used in the past, leather too thin to get a good stitching groove, uneven surfaces with the differing thicknesses of leather and cloth. I'm heading back to the bench to practice, practice, practice!

[abn]

Rob, I'd hardly call that a feeble attempt... It looks pretty nice to me! Keep up the good work!

[RobDude30]

Rob, I'd hardly call that a feeble attempt... It looks pretty nice to me! Keep up the good work!

Thanks!

[byfbo]

that is a very nice first attempt!

[RobDude30]

that is a very nice first attempt!

Thanks! I just started a new one. Going to vinegaroon this one and do a red-dyed inlay design on the outside.

[JoeSnuffie]

I wish my first 3 or 4 wallets turned out like this.

A tip for the stitching around the edges: I carefully measure and mark the lines for the stitching on the outside and inside of the shell where it folds over. I measure so that there is a tiny gap between the liner and shell at the edge when folded over. This makes sure the lines will be perfectly straight and not stretched when I stitch. I then use my stitching chisel to make holes on the stitch line that will be on the outside then I flip the leather over and make the holes that will be on the inside. this makes sure the saddle stitch offset is proper.

An important note - When I mark the stitch line I place a mark at the beginning and end and then use a straight edge to mark the line.if I find that the leather edge isn't straight after I mark the line I can cut it straight again.

When I stitch, I make sure the side I'm stitching is glued in place with contact cement and use an awl to poke through the liner.