Beginner's Simple Card Wallet

[TCon]

I'm very new to leather working. This is my first simple card wallet. It's not great, so I'd love any tips and pointers on how to improve the design, quality, style, etc. Thanks.

Blessings,

Tyler

[TCon]

[kiwican]

Hey Tcon, nice first attempt! I like it. Maybe on your next one you could bevel the edges and slick them down. also nothing beats a nice looking saddle stitch!

[TCon]

Thank you, kiwican. I actually have a couple of beveling tools. I know it may not look too much like it, but I burnished the edges, I just didn't dye the edges (probably would have looked better if I did). Would you recommend beveling the edges after it has been burnished already? And then maybe going back and burnishing it again after beveling? Also, I thought I did a saddle stitch haha. I probably messed up some where. Was this not a saddle stitch? Have any good video links for learning saddle stitching by chance? Thank you again.

Blessings,

Tyler

Edited January 11, 2016 by TCon

[kiwican]

Bevel first and then slick the edges, it will look better, although rough edges can also look good! a well slicked edge will also add longevity to your work. Yup that's a saddle stitch!

There are several really good slicking posts on this site that you can look at. Myself, I first slick with water, then gum trag and then bees wax. using a plastic slicking wheel i got from Tandy, then i use a piece of Jade i had laying around and the i use a piece of denim.

I usually slick with water, then dye my edges then the gum trag and bees wax

[TCon]

Oh I misunderstood. I really love the look of the saddle stitch haha. Thank you. So since I've already slicked my edges with gum, do you think it will be ok to bevel the edges still and then slick them back down with gum again?

[kiwican]

Yup, i do that from time to time. You really want to get those fibers to lay flat if you can. Did you bevel both sides?

[TCon]

you mean both sides of the edges? I haven't beveled anything yet. I actually don't know what it's suppose to look like to be honest.

[kiwican]

correct, both sides of the edge. make sure your bevel is sharp and bright! run the bevel down both sides to remove a small strip this will give a sort of roundish appearance.

Edited January 11, 2016 by kiwican

[TCon]

Awesome, thanks a lot!! That really helps. Any suggestions on the design at all? Too short at the top, etc?

[kiwican]

style is a personal thing, im still very new at this myself and am some what finding my own style which will be a blend of what i like and what my skill set allows me to do!

[TCon]

Good to know. Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it.

[Chief Filipino]

If I were to in the wallet for a market......... oh man I'm tired... or buzzed... or both.... anyways if I was in the MARKET for a WALLET I would prefer to have the hole in the center to reach my cards. I like the risk you took and it looks good, but just my personal preference is to have the cards stay nicely snugged in the center. It looks to me like if I was trying to get this out of my pocket I would be knocking the card partway out. Just one person's personal preference.

Nice job!