Smal Changes That Make A Huge Difference (That You Never Would Have Though Of)?

[DavidL]

A few I have noticed:

Keep a steady pace. Too slow and you will try to speed up to make up for the lost time creating errors

Sand edges first then use the divider and pricking iron. If I use a divider on an uneven edge the line comes up so slightly uneven and the stitching will come out uneven.

always leave somewhere near 1 cm of leather from the edge, never have the leather meet at a point on the edge.

Most important is to imagine which pieces need special attention (thickness of leather, skiving) how a piece will be flexed and how the end product would look, feel and act. For example I made a cardholder with triangular pockets and the pocket wasnt secure enough. The stitching and length of a certain piece created a odd opening of the cash section. After 6 months the wallet showed spots that have extreme wear. I can then go back to the drawing table and figure out from there

What are things you discovered through trial and error that make huge differences in the finished project?

I may have to create a checklist of steps because I tend to forget a few after its too late.