Threading your needles for hand-sewing leather is a simple technique that shows how paying attention to the details pays off. Properly set needles make it easier to sew and help you speed through your leathercraft project. Learn about threading your needles in this short video.
SFS: Making +100 Watch Straps
I did a production run of over a hundred leather watch straps a while back. I made many of the same items, but not this many all at once. Before, I’d stretch it out over a few weeks. The experience helped to tighten up my setups and production planning. Spending an extra thirty minutes setting […]
SFS: Old and New Pattern-Making
I learned traditional pattern-making methods and combined them with more modern (digital) techniques. I often make the cross-over with curves. I can fiddle with point handles for an hour and still change my mind once I’ve printed the template.
Bund Strap: Remaking an old Watch Band
A customer found an old Paul Frank watch and wanted the band remade. The watch still worked; however, the band was ragged and worn out. He envisioned a new band reminiscent of the old band with superior looks and quality. This was a fun exploratory project where I could replace and refine the old strap. […]
SFS: Rediscovered Ranger Belts
A customer came in to have belts made for her three sons. One of them was getting married. She had a specific buckle that she wanted to use for the belts and a style that she had on her own belt. The buckle had been handed down from her mother, and she had the same […]
Advice on Craft From a Living National Treasure
Preface: I wrote this newsletter article ten years ago(!) and have revisited the same question a few times since. Why do leatherworking? Are you after a particular style of wallet or bag? You could feasibly buy one in a store, but you don’t. Something inside compels you to strike out and make the thing yourself. […]
SFS: Handbag Course
Prepping the zippered gusset for stitching during the handbag course. Scenes From the Studio is a post series of photos and videos from our studio. I’ll include works-in-progress, snapshots from our classes, and of course, leatherworking.
The Finer Points of Leather Round Awls
Last week, I wrote about “Which Leather Awl Do You Need” and went over diamond blade awls. Today, I will cover the other primary type, round awls. The humble round awl is often an afterthought even though it does the important job of marking your pattern on the leather. Having a good round awl is […]
Scenes From the Studio
I’m trying a new type of post this week. On Wednesdays, I’ll post photos and videos from our studio. I’ll include works-in-progress, snapshots from our classes, and of course, leatherworking. This week is a photo of two backstitch awls I recently made. One is in ash, and the other in Claro walnut.
Which Leather Awl Do You Need?
You can never have too many awls. In my studio, I have around a dozen awls of various types. Some of them I have because of the design and the way they look, and others do specialized jobs. Which leather sewing awl you choose depends on what you are making, and I will cover some […]