BigMatt Report post Posted September 2, 2014 Well, on my way from wallets to briefcases, I thought the logical middle ground was a portfolio. My wife needed one, so I thought I would oblige. I made some mistakes along the way and am still dreading fixing the last one. I didn't have the latch planned out when I stitched it and my wife decided she wanted a strap with a buckle. I will have to crane my wrist inside the pocket to stitch the lower portion on. I would have done one strap all the way around, but that would have been murder. Anyway, here are some pictures... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halitech Report post Posted September 2, 2014 looks good to me. Stitching looks really straight and even. Did you hand sew it or do you have a machine? Only thing I would look at is the edges, maybe do a nice burnish on them or cover them with edge coat to prevent them from fraying and getting worn. What weight and type of leather did you use? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigMatt Report post Posted September 2, 2014 (edited) Thanks, that is hand stitched. I have burnished the edges with water, but I am looking for something to make them slicker and last longer. The leather is some veg-tan out of the scrap pile at my supplier. They said it was something Italian, but they were selling it cheap because it had a blemish in the hide. I chose it because it is pretty smooth inside. The main problem I had with it was getting the bottom of the gussets stitched evenly. They look pretty crummy, but I guess that comes with practice. Edited September 2, 2014 by BigMatt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halitech Report post Posted September 2, 2014 darn nice job on the stitching then nice thing about a blemish, long as it's not the entire thing, can usually get a fair bit of usable material out of try some gum trag or saddle soap and water and then give it a good rub. Hard to see the gusset on the bottom but from what I can see, it looks pretty good Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kwelna Report post Posted September 2, 2014 Looks geat! maybe add a bit of a round off on the ends of the straps where they attach to the portflio? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MonicaJacobson Report post Posted September 2, 2014 It looks great! Portfolios are awesome. Good luck on attaching the buckle. It's a pain when you've gotten it sewn up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ramrod Report post Posted September 3, 2014 wow! very nicely done! yeah - have fun with the buckle. i've done that kind of double jointed move on items before. i love portfolios. fairly easy to make. my first one was beautiful - but made with chrome tan. very pretty, but very very flimsy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigMatt Report post Posted September 5, 2014 (edited) Thanks for the compliments. Boy are my wrists and neck tired! I have finished the portfolio and gone on to make a few wallets. My next project is a double-gusset briefcase. I dyed the leather yesterday and will be cutting and fitting this weekend. Here are a couple of pictures of the finished portfolio: Edited September 5, 2014 by BigMatt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
srtolly Report post Posted September 5, 2014 That is a beautiful portfolio and the stitching is very nice. I'm pretty new to leather work but have done a fair bit in canvas and fabrics and the only suggestion I could offer would be to put a little bit of a radius on the corners of the flap, it helps prevent them from snagging on things. God Bless, Scott Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
