What Leather Thickness For Wallets?

[sharkeyfinn]

hi everyone. i need some advice on what thickness of leather to use for wallet making. heres some i have just sent to a friend in switzerland.

the thing is, they are all very very stiff,and dont fully shut without assistance, and with the coin purse they are quite thick. i made them from 1.6-2.4 veg tan, i realise i should probably use thinner, but i still want to tool them, im not really quite sure what i need to do to make them....more usable ? i like to be able to put the coin purse in,as i think its a useful addition.

any advice greatly appreciated as i have 2 more to make ;-)

[LTC]

use the same leather for the exterior panel and thinner leather for the interior parts.

also, wet/fold your exterior panel without all the inner parts in first...should help it to close better once it's finished...

might want to try out using thinner thread and a higher spi also...just an idea...

Edited May 8, 2014 by LTC

[Glendon]

This kind of thing is where lining leather like thin pigskin can come in handy. You can find some leather marketed as lining that is almost fabric than.

[LTC]

except that i don't think the wallet he showed is lined at all. so adding a lining would add more thickness (however slight).

there is a piece of leather to make the compartment for bills...that one needs to be made of thinner leather as do the card slot pockets...and the change pocket.

keep the same exterior thickness. then on all the other parts, use thinner leather and it will not be as bulky and still allow you to tool the outside.

[Glendon]

That's what I mean. For that thinner leather, it's easiest to look at what most suppliers call "lining leather".

[LTC]

i wouldn't recommend using it for the inner bill compartment. the linings i have used are very thin and flimsy and wouldn't be appropriate for the inner bill separating layer.

[Hi Im Joe]

Full grain veg tan pigskin lining can easily be used for the insides of wallets. Also, when doing a coin pocket think about using a pleated pocket instead of a flat pocket to give the coin pocket some depth.

[Glendon]

Good old Ian has a great example of what Joe is talking about on his LeodisLeather YouTube channel.

[sharkeyfinn]

thanks guys, thats been really helpful, i take it by pleated you mean a sort of gusset? i think i know the vid clip by ian,the cordovian one? i will get onto theidentity store and have a chat with kate ;-)

[Hi Im Joe]

thanks guys, thats been really helpful, i take it by pleated you mean a sort of gusset? i think i know the vid clip by ian,the cordovian one? i will get onto theidentity store and have a chat with kate ;-)

Exactly like a gusset except you just cut your pocket long on either side and then fold it in on itself to create a pleat at the edges which when stitched to the wallet provides your pocket with some depth.