My First Few Leather Items

[T191032]

So, here is my "first" creations -

The first "slip" wallet/credit card" in all it's ugly glory. Two pieces of white leather hand sewn with the smooth side in.

Two Key fobs I cut out of some scrap leather, using a fob as a template.

A, plain, simple 3/4" strip of leather as my personal Key fob.

I went back to the "slip" wallet/credit card thing, but messed up one, which turned into a IWB magazine pouch. I had problems with a horizontal-riding fabric "Condor" brand cell phone case, so I built one that rides verticle. Note, I would have preferred to have "wet molded" the outer part, but as it was, this was a day project & the cell had to stay "on" some. And another "slip" wallet/credit card thing.

[Wishful]

With each project you will advance. Study this site to get tips on all aspects of construction and refining you craft. Welcome.

[Halitech]

We all start at the same point and I'm sure you will come along fine as long as you don't get discouraged

Check out Nigel's tut on stitching, it will help a lot

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=44874&page=1

here is some good information here about wet forming

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=19782&page=1

It will also help with the lining up of your edges so everything is smooth

Then check out Hidepounders tut on finishing edges, it will take your projects to the next level

http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=18101&page=1

Good luck and happy leatherworking

[byggyns]

The first techniques I would suggest concentrating on are stitching and edging. A straight and even saddle stitch combined with straight, even, burnished edges makes anything look more refined & professional. I suggest using scrap pieces for your practice. Just take 2 scraps, cut them straight on one side, line them up & perform your glue, stitch & edge finishing procedure. "The Art of Hand Sewing Leather" by Al Stohlman is a good resource for this.

Also, I suggest rounding your corners a little. Sharp corners tend to bend over or get frayed & split. They look bad after very little use.

Refinements in design and contruction will present themselves the more you see, especially on this site, and the more things you put together. If you want to concentrate on cases, I suggest the "The Art of Making Leather Cases" 3 volume series by Stohlman. There really isn't much about making bags and cases that isn't covered in those 3 books. They hit all of the basics and go into some more advanced skills as well.

[T191032]

I admit, I do not have all the "right equipment" (certain tools, for example no skivers, edgers, etc) as yet. As I (mentally) predicted, the stitching came out of the bottom of the cell phone carry strap, as I had not doubled it. I may just slit the back and continue to use it to carry the cell, as I do prefer my Vertical to the horizontal (cloth) Condor pouch. A version 2.0 will be made down the road when I can get some other (non-leather) projects aside. Thank you all.

[Wishful]

Post your progress as you go.