Recently, I bought a home sewing machine to use for some fabric projects and for several other reasons, which I’ll go into in a future post. People regularly ask about using home sewing machines on leather, so it’s an area I can cover more if there’s interest. In my leatherworking studio, I have several industrial […]
Material Bundles
When you try a new skill on your own, it can be difficult to troubleshoot. Edge finishing methods, for example, can be particularly nuanced. Did you apply enough pressure? Not enough pressure? Was the sanding at the right angle? There are a host of questions to ask. It can be even more complicated if you […]
Adding Even More Detail
When I started production for our second online course last year, I had no idea how detailed it would become. Our first collaboration with Hajime Niwa yielded a remarkable online course, Refining Your Technique. I admired his work, which was so well-made, and his techniques for achieving that level of craftsmanship were equally thoughtful. I […]
Reinforcements for Leathercrafting
In my last posts, I shared some tips and tricks for working with zippers. Reinforcements are another challenge that many leatherworkers find confusing. When do you use them, what thickness do you use, and how do you install them properly? When making the zippered wallet in our in-person course, many students noticed how thin and […]
More How-To’s for Leathercraft Zippers
Last week, I went over some tips for improving how you install zippers. They can be challenging to work with, especially when trying to get them right. Most customers, especially older ones, will say they prefer a bag with a zipper over one that closes with a flap or snap. This desire undoubtedly comes from […]
Tips for Zippers in Leatherworking
Last week, I posted about the idea of (tsudzukete) “keep going.” When sharpening knives for leatherworking, a common mistake is to stop too early, resulting in your knife never getting sharp enough. Knowing when it’s done is why I still teach in-person courses. It’s an eye-opening experience to cut with a freshly sharpened knife. New […]
Keep Going
I’m in the process of updating our online course, “Refining Your Technique.” At Fine Leatherworking, we adhere to the practice of continuous improvement. For example, I update the content to incorporate new questions and insights when we run an in-person course. Our courses are not static, and I always want to improve their quality. If […]
SFS: Making Sewing Awls
We are busily preparing for the in-person courses Refining Your Technique and the Zippered Wallet next week. Part of that preparation is making more tools. I started making tools a while back using my leatherworking experience and desire for what I would ideally want in a tool. For example, these sewing awls have a grip […]
Moving Beyond the Basics
Last week, in my post on Getting Lost in Translation, I wrote about how you can use leatherworking to unplug and practice being present. When you can focus, you’ll notice more nuance in your practice. You can better master the basics, which later enables you to do more advanced techniques. For example, the process of […]
Getting Lost in Translation
Recently, I was traveling in Japan and struggling with the language. I lived in Japan for two years and have visited numerous times. Sadly, I don’t practice Japanese very much day-to-day, so my first few days back in the country were tough. Once I got there, a flood of words started returning to me. All […]