This was probably the best piece I’ve made yet. Everything just felt like it was coming together a lot easier on this one. My skiving was better, my stitching was better, my curves were better, my edging was better. Just everything was better overall.

I did make three small flaws, there’s one stitch line that isn’t as straight as I’d like it. The two vertical stitch lines that separate the card pockets are not as perfectly aligned as I would like and I did accidentally carve out a small divet near one of the snap clasps when I was trying to smooth out the edge. This was pretty upsetting but I managed to recover the piece a little bit. In the end, mostly a learning experience to be careful.

I’m still able to put in many continuous hours to finish a piece. I don’t seem to get bored or to need breaks which is interesting. I felt like I was getting into a flow state when working on some of the pieces and I can see my skills improving as I go as well.

I need to work on things like straps and zips next so that I can move on to bags and other assorted items. Additionally, I’m starting to think about what a design would look for a makers mark. Something to brand items by so that I could then sell a design to help recoup some of the cost of making an item.

Lessons

• Don’t skive too thinly, it makes it difficult to glue things and then create a stitching line
• Should invest in some longer stitching chisels to make doing long lines easier
• Invest in some better photo taking stuff
• Thicker thread would look nicer in this particular piece I think.
• When cutting curves, begin the curve before the leather

Materials

• Leather: Blue Buttero Leather, 1.2-1.4mm thick, ~1.3 sq feet
• Thread: 0.6mm Ritza Tiger Thread in Cream
• Glue: Kyoshin Elle - Leather Glue 100 Water Based (a white glue)
• Edging: Seiwa Tokonole

Pattern

• Artisan Long Wallet by Corter Leather

Photos