Disability Pensioner New To Leatherworking.

[skarmartin]

Hi All

Background.

No previous experience in leatherworking other then a fringe bag kit from tandy leather( Picture attached). 5 years ago i went in for a routine shunt operation and the neurosurgeon knicked the occiptial nerve on my brain so i cant work any more.

I am kinda hooked after hand sewing the wee fringe bag for my niece and then putting a design on it with my pyrography tool (another new skill I am working on to go hand in hand with the leatherwork rather then just leather carving). I found the hand sewing very therapeutic and I can stop and start at will (within in reason).

Problem.

No tools no experience and I was wanting to do something for my twin sisters birthday by the end of the month. I was thinking a basic hand bag or purse. I would like your suggestions on what patterns to buy for a beginner, and as they are in their 30s something plain and not childish. Handsewing is preferred as I don't have a machine at moment, I would rather save for a few hand tools first

Kind Regards

ShenLun

[Wishful]

Welcome to the site. You can find some free purse patterns here on this site. Do a search or look thru the various subforumns I have also seen some by doing a Google search.

[bikermutt07]

Tooling wise you won't need much to get started as long as you steer clear of tooling/carving.

Even if you want to tool leather different providers sell basic carving kits for 40 to 50 bucks.

You can find YouTube videos on getting started and learn plenty there and here. Just dig around a bit and you can find some easy projects. 

If your sister has an I pad, a slip for it would be simple enough. Just get a 4-5 ounce single shoulder. Then you would only need a basic square, razor knife, straight edge, stitch groover, an awl, sewing needles, some thread, and a cutting surface. 

You may even have a few of those tools lying around.

Also, you would want to put a finish on it. There  are lots of threads about that on here.

From one newbie to another, have fun. Otherwise, what's the point?