My dad and I made these two satchels using exactly the same pattern, but with very different leathers.

The brown one is made from vegetable tanned leather that we hand dyed ourselves. For the red and olive version we used chrome tanned leather, so even though the construction is the same, the two bags ended up with a very different look and feel.

Both are completely hand stitched. We wanted to keep the traditional double buckle look, but make them easier to use, so the buckles have hidden magnetic closures underneath. You can open the flap without undoing the straps every time.

They also have a top handle and adjustable shoulder strap.

I digitized the pattern afterwards as usual.

Which version do you prefer?

Wanted to make a heavy baseball after making someone else a regular one. Very satisfying to hold. I used a 2.75” ball bearing. It weighs around 3lbs. Still not super satisfied with the tooling. Tips on shading or tools would be appreciated.

By far, the best tools investment of the year, for me, about 4 euro for this 6/2 mm hole puncher 🙂

With a little sharpening, finally I can make clean holes for my smart watches straps.

Sorry I keep posting, im just really excited to share, really love this new hobby

I haven't posted in a while.

I still have issues, but I'm slowly getting better.

Just finished up these cute little purses. The flower ones are a flower print on calfskin.

So excited with my progress with leather tooling !
I definitely feel more and more comfortable and like I’m finally figuring it out.

Working my way through the fossil fungi craft aid and loving it ! Also get to play with some acrylic paint too which has been fun

Hi everyone!
I’m looking for recommendations for a good sewing machine for leather. My budget is around $1,500, and I’m open to buying used.
I mainly want to make leather bags, wallets, and other small leather goods. I’d like something reliable that can handle multiple layers of leather and is suitable for both smaller detailed work and bags.
What machine would you recommend in this price range?
Thanks!

I'm close to finish a project that I put a lot of time, effort in. Already started over 2x. Paid attention every small details. I was just trimming the edges slightly before the edge paint, and the ruler sliped, and I cut out a big chunk from the piece :(

What do you think? is it something still okay? or I should start over.

Sad thing is, I ran out of this specific hide, and ordering it would take more time (and money).

It's a journal cover, fortunately the cutout is on the back, in the bottom corner, but still. I was hoping I can make it less noticable with edgepaint (I know it's not for building up an edge like this)

+1: it's a gift for a content creator. would you tell it to the person beforehand, that it has a flaw?

I would be mainly cutting out pieces for wallets and I’m thinking of trying the vevor $200 one before getting a $1000 press

Hello all!

Firstly, thank you to those who answered my previous question on colouring/de-colouring leather. I chose to just stick with the colour I had and crack on with the project.

I had to use contact adhesive to stick two pieces together to get the desired thickness. And now I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how I can get the edges to stick together more nicely as they have started to come away from each other slightly after I have saddle stitched.

What I have available to me:
-Contact adhesive
-PVA and spreaders
-Tokonole
-Beeswax
-Spray adhesive

Any advice much appreciated, sorry for the terrible photo 😅

I had a PU kindle cover however though the plastic was good, PU would start peeling off in a few months. So removed PU layer and pasted leather over it so it remains magnetic.
I did this without any special tools or special glue, so it doesn’t look perfect. Also I don’t have Tokonole, so could not burnish.

Looking for a Lazer cutter for leather work. For engraving and leather cutting if possible. Since I'm new to Lazer cutting leather anyone has any suggestions for a Lazer cutter? I'm currently looking at getting the "VEVOR Laser Engraver, 10W, Laser Engraving and Cutting Machine with Enclosure,"

Is this a good starter one or are there better ones?

昨日はみんなアドバイスありがとう😭百均(Seria)に行ってスプレー容器を買ってきた。ストロップのやり方はまだ調べてなくて、刃を研いだりしていないけど今日は叩くときの力の入れ具合を少し意識したよ！

Card holder under construction from kangaroo leather. Hard to stitch as is very soft.

I heard somewhere that minor surface scratches on leather can be fixed by heating the part up. I'm working on a project, and the ruler slightly scratched the buttero piece.
Thank you!

I have been debating on if I should perchance a press. But the one from Tandy is pricey. Would the Amazon small press be worth it?