Novice buying leather

[Hardrada]

8 hours ago, MtlBiker said:

On the top edge of the front piece of your pouch (the one hidden by the closed flap) did you do anything to finish the edge?  Just edge polish (if that) or something else?  And if you did edge polish that top edge, did you do it before sewing it onto the gusset?  I'd imagine it could be very difficult to polish that edge once the pouch is fully assembled.

Yep, I did the whole edge dyeing and burnishing routine before stitching, as it woulda been very difficult and potentially harmful to the project to do it after full assembly.

You must also dye and burnish those small areas where you will be looping the thread over the edge to reinforce them (i.e. where the flap joins the gusset) prior to stitching, lest you either leave a raw spot or have to apply dye over the thread, both of which would look terrible.

Edited May 5, 2021 by Hardrada

[TexasCharlie]

On 4/30/2021 at 11:55 AM, MtlBiker said:

I'm a total novice when it comes to buying leather and it seems I would have to buy from an online source without seeing the leather first.  Which makes it even more difficult for a novice.

I would be machine sewing small belt pouches to begin with, maybe to hold a leatherman or a little metal credit card holder I have (think about 6-8 credit card thickness).  I'm not sure what kind or thickness of leather I should be looking at.  I guess veg tan leather would be the right choice?  (I did buy a couple of used leather coats at a thrift store and took them apart for the leather but I find it's really too thin for what I want to make.)

I found a source online which is here in Quebec Canada (as I am) but when they list the leather with the price they don't specify how much leather that price gets you.  I'm guessing it's some kind of industry standard that you all know, but for a beginner it's all just unclear.  Here's the leather source I found.  They list two "vgni" (???), one 2-2.5 oz and the other 3-3.5 oz.  I guess the thicker one would be more appropriate for what I want to make?

And once I do get some leather, I guess I'll also need a burnishing tool, dies, and I have no idea what else.  What tools/dies/glues/etc. would you consider the basics that I should start with?

Thanks very much!

 

Molding veg tan leather can be fun and give you a good look

[NDphung]

Have you try Cuir Dizazzo. Not the best Italian or US leather but lots of choice.