Beginner work

[axlf33]

Hi everybody!,

Among all the pieces of art viewed here, maybe you will find some times to check my beginner work.

My main challenge was to sew 4 layers of leather around 1.7 mm thick each.Can not find any thinner leather in my area and I just do not afford a leather skiving machine

So the stitch came out not very right ...any tips are well appreciated, as for the tooling is one of my first try, so...

Thanks for your time and tips,

regards,

F

[Sturme]

the stitching looks good. I like the fact you lined the back of your wallet, many people forget to do that and it adds a lot to the overall piece. you kept your tooling simple which is good for starting out. Practice you beveling a bit more, the action with bezeling is kinda like a jackhammer, but lighter. a veiner would bring out the some detail in your vine work, but that comes with practice. What stamping tools do you have? the flower in the middle is clean and simple, I like it. Overall not a bad start wallet at all. keep up the good work.

on a side note, your liner leather can be very thin, even a fabric will work which will make it easier on stitching.

Edited February 16, 2020 by Sturme

[axlf33]

Thank you Sturme!

I use a cheap set of stamping tool, Chinese made.

Sorry my lack of knowledge, but by "veiner" you mean  that hammer leather craft?

 

[Albob]

I am not sure what you mean by the stitching looking not good. It looks pretty good for someone just starting out, it loos a lot better than some of my first stitches. I really like the color and simple tooling work very well on this wallet.

The tooling is something you just need to keep practicing on, there are a lot of free tutorials on line (YOUTUBE) two of my favorites are Mr. Don Gonzales and Mr. Bruce Chaney.

Like Sturme said the liner can be very thin, I often use fabric for liners to help keep the bulk down. A good source for inexpensive liner leather is old purses I find at swap meets thrift stores. I also buy new bandannas and use those. Keep up the good work , 

[fredk]

1 hour ago, axlf33 said:

Sorry my lack of knowledge, but by "veiner" you mean  that hammer leather craft?

A veiner is a tool which is a curved line with wiggles on it,  see here; https://www.tandyleather.eu/en/product/v407-craftool-veiner-stamp  They are used in the stems of flowers to add details.

Practice on your edges of the flowers. Move the beveler stamp over a wee bit as you hit it, a 'walking' type motion.

If you have to use thicker leather, skive down the edges where you are going to sew. Recently I made some book covers using 2.5mm thick leather. I skived about 1cm of the edge down to 1mm thickness. I used one of these; https://www.tandyleather.eu/en/product/craftool-pro-wide-edge-skiver

If you are on a tight budget; I got one of the skivers for £3.34 direct from China, I'm waiting on a second one which has cost me £3.02.  You can buy starter sets of stamps which have all the basic tools for under £10

As the others have said, cloth is good for lining too. Old silky type material from shirts bought at a charity (thrift) shop are a useful source

Otherwise, fine work there

 

PS. It would help us to help you if you put your location in your profile

Edited February 16, 2020 by fredk

[Sturme]

here is a link to veiners for reference veiners

also if you havent, go to leathercraft library, link here https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/

alot of the stuff on there is free for now, get all the free stuff you can, its a wealth of knowledge for the taking.

but definitely grab these

https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/product/1120/leatherwork-manual-by-stohlman-patten-wilson

https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/product/1111/basic-leatherwork-by-paul-burnett

https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/product/1937/stamping-with-the-basics

have fun and keep it up.

[axlf33]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement words and especially for the tips provided.

Now (because I understood) I can say I do have veiner stamp, just did not know how to use it on the flower, but i will surely try.

@fredk  - location updated

regards,

[battlemunky]

I think that is pretty fine work, especially being new at it.

[dikman]

Stitching looks fine to me. As for the tooling not bad for a first effort. I'm just starting out at tooling and my first attempt at leaves looked like yours! There's a knack to cutting smooth lines (needs lots of practice!).