Hello from Northampton, UK

[dibsandthemachine]

Hi everyone,

I have just recently caught the leather bug and I am so happy to have found this community. I attended a hand stitching bag making class last weekend and Now I never want to stop sewing bags. I want to learn everything about leather and leather accessories , especially bags. 

I live in Northampton which has a rich cobbler history and there are many leather merchants around. My office is a 6 minutes drive from The Tandy Leather store in Northampton which is dangerous for me as I find it hard to control my spending habits when it comes to my hobbies. I am already dreaming of Blanchard tools and fil au chinois threads and I want an Adler sewing machine .....I know, champagne tastes on a beer budget . For now though, I am just trying to learn as much as I can and finding out exactly what tools are essential for me at this stage as opposed to what I see the master craftsmen/ women using.

Finally I just want to thank everyone on here who shares their knowledge.

Edited April 20, 2018 by dibsandthemachine

[KingsCountyLeather]

Hi, Welcome to the forum.

I started leather working at the beginning of last year and love it. I am starting to make bags too but started with wallets, belts and book covers. I think everyone should start with small projects to see if they will continue to have the love for the craft because it can be an expensive hobby. I have literally spent thousands of euro already and I dont sell anything yet. For me its a hobby that I hope someday it will pay for itself and if it doesn’t no harm done, its what I like to do.

You can start making bags with a small selection of hand tools but they should be quality sharp tools.

Do your research and dont make too many expensive mistakes.

Best of luck with your new venture.

Ger.

[dibsandthemachine]

Thank you Ger. I have quickly realised how expensive this hobby is . I think the way I will try to approach it is buy tools as I need them, depending on the project that I am working on. Like now I want to make a belt for my husband so I am going to invest in a good crew punch and practice my burnishing techniques. That way when I want to make another thing that involves the crew punch and other tools, I will only buy tools I don't have. 

[TomWisc]

I am also new to leather working. Started a couple months ago. I have made a few simple belts and I wear the first belt I made every day. I would suggest making a belt without lots of fancy tooling and I bet your husband would be thrilled to wear a belt you made. Seriously, if my wife made a belt for me I would be over the top excited! You do not need many tools to do a belt. A buckle, a few rivets and riveting tool, a simple burnishing tool, and a bit of patience. My first belt was not dyed, just some neatsfoot oil. There are so many great leather workers on this site that is easy to get caught up in how to make your first project perfect. I mean no disrespect to all the experienced leather workers who contribute so much to this site. My suggestion, from a total newbie, is to give yourself a break and make something that you can complete is a relatively short time. Finish the project, hopefully your husband's belt. Then when you are ready, make your next belt. Maybe a little more involved. 

If your husband is like most guys, he probably never shops for a new belt. so you have a dedicated customer for the new things you make1

[DJole]

With a background in dressmaking and millinery, you already have a handle on patterns and 3 dimensional thinking. 
Welcome to the forum, and remember that most of us started like you did, so don't be afraid to show off your projects or ask for help when needed!

[Orangeleather]

@dibsandthemachine

Welcome to the forum,

I've got family in Southfields area, and yet to my shame I've still not visited the Tandy factory.

Regards 

[dibsandthemachine]

On 25/04/2018 at 6:42 AM, TomWisc said:

I am also new to leather working. Started a couple months ago. I have made a few simple belts and I wear the first belt I made every day. I would suggest making a belt without lots of fancy tooling and I bet your husband would be thrilled to wear a belt you made. Seriously, if my wife made a belt for me I would be over the top excited! You do not need many tools to do a belt. A buckle, a few rivets and riveting tool, a simple burnishing tool, and a bit of patience. My first belt was not dyed, just some neatsfoot oil. There are so many great leather workers on this site that is easy to get caught up in how to make your first project perfect. I mean no disrespect to all the experienced leather workers who contribute so much to this site. My suggestion, from a total newbie, is to give yourself a break and make something that you can complete is a relatively short time. Finish the project, hopefully your husband's belt. Then when you are ready, make your next belt. Maybe a little more involved. 

If your husband is like most guys, he probably never shops for a new belt. so you have a dedicated customer for the new things you make1

That’s true. It is easy to get overwhelmed with all the knowledge on here. And you are right.My husband never shops for belts and for the past 2 years he has been wearing my belt...he literally stole it from me. I have made 3 bags already and I am really happy. For some reason this site keeps saying my pictures are too big so I have not been able to upload pictures.

[dibsandthemachine]

On 25/04/2018 at 7:46 AM, DJole said:

With a background in dressmaking and millinery, you already have a handle on patterns and 3 dimensional thinking. 
Welcome to the forum, and remember that most of us started like you did, so don't be afraid to show off your projects or ask for help when needed!

Thanks DJole. It’s true what you said about my other interests. Unsurprisingly, I really really enjoy hand stitching leather. I find it so relaxing. I am trying to figure out how to post the right size picture so you guys can see my work.

[dibsandthemachine]

On 27/04/2018 at 9:46 PM, Orangeleather said:

@dibsandthemachine

Welcome to the forum,

I've got family in Southfields area, and yet to my shame I've still not visited the Tandy factory.

Regards 

lol thanks Orangeleather. I go there now on my lunch breaks, just to smell leather . They have an open workshop every Wednesday evening where people like us can come and use whatever tools and supplies they have available and also get advice on our projects. That’s really handy for me because I can use all the tools I can’t afford now.

[karlova]

...having a Tandy store too close is really, really dangerous. :D indeed 

[LumpenDoodle2]

Welcome.    

Coming from the ‘sewing world’ definately gives you a head start in leatherwork.   You can see the finished product in your head so much easier, and patterns are easier to make.

Certainly, somewhere like Tandy is too tempting, and you can start buying things you find you never use.     I bought the cheap Chinese stamping tools, and then bought the quality replacement tools I found that I actually used.   I would also suggest you start checking out the other leather outlets, you can definately get a lot of better deals than the Tandy shops.    Not just leather, but tools, thread, and whatever.

Oh, and be patient over buying the sewing machine.    Too many used machines out there turn into money pits, unless you are happy to service and repair them yourself.    So even if you go for a new machine, try to arrange to give them a test sew, to see how you get on with it.   Just the same as you would if buying a ‘domestic’ sewing machine.

Even thread is a test and try out thing.   I’ve used the fil au chinois thread, and it’s nice, but the Tiger thread does it for me.   

The one big thing I have learned so far, you never know where this leather thing will take you, or what you end up specialising in.   It’s a fun journey, though.

Maureen

 

[Orangeleather]

On 10/05/2018 at 12:56 AM, dibsandthemachine said:

lol thanks Orangeleather. I go there now on my lunch breaks, just to smell leather . They have an open workshop every Wednesday evening where people like us can come and use whatever tools and supplies they have available and also get advice on our projects. That’s really handy for me because I can use all the tools I can’t afford now.

Wednesday evening' you say? 

 

Interesting and also dangerously tempting...

 

Thanks for the info.

[harryhorse]

Welcome to you!  I think the next time I wish Tandy were closer, I'll read these posts.   I live 250 miles round trip to the closest one in my state.  Probably a good thing.  The last time I went I allowed myself only 45 min, and got out in 30.  

Your background in designing and making clothing will help you for certain.  If push comes to shove, you will find that your background will come in handy with the leather work.

Dinah