New Skill Unlocked: Leather working & making a slip pouch

Heeeyho Readers! Are you into handcrafts?

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Twenty-four years ago, at the age of twelve, I used to make little leather key chains to sell around the neighborhood for 1 Real (~1 USD). Back then, dad took me frequently to a leathersmith who was making his handmade horse tack. Dad was also making leather stuff — more vivid in my memory is a leather tool box he made, that someone nicked from his car trunk later. All of that inspired me. I gave up the hobby when we moved to another town.

This past week I got my loose brain thinking about that pocket knife from the previous post. "A classic pocket knife needs a classic pouch." After wandering our town's center searching for leather, unsuccessfully, the Holy internet solved the problem. There used to be plenty of leather houses around town twenty years ago... makes me wonder if the craft is disappearing

I ordered a piece of leather called crazy horse. Such a mainly name might be good stuff, I thought. A small piece to start off should be enough for a beginner like myself, so 20x50cm sufficed my need. I also lacked the needles, waxed thread, contact glue, a good cutting knife, and so on. Local craft stores provided those. With everything gathered, it is finally time to work.

Making a slip pouch

^{Spoiler alert!}

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Got my butt clenched not gonna lie. Stitching leather together when you are 12 y/o is no more than a lousy hobby. This time it's for real. The final product is going to a friend, hence it must be as perfect as my skill allows.

There are millions of different pouches on internet to serve as inspiration, though the best idea is to step back to keep reality as close as possible to our expectation. I decide that less stitching is ideal to start off; less chances of it going wrong. After cutting paper like a mad man, a template is created.

^{Making a template}

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One piece of leather folded and stitched around one side seems simple enough to avoid mishaps while also being classic. The concept is simple, after all — a pouch to protect the knife when carried in a pocket, backpack, purse, etc.

I lack proper leather working tools, but that won't stop us. A one Real coin aids to cut the corners.

^Cutting

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I didn't have internet to teach me the art of leather working twenty years ago, so I missed on a few steps. A lot of steps. I never glued the edges before sewing and could never get a stitch line straight because I also lacked knowledge.

It only took me twenty winters to discover about contact glue, stitching marks and properly spacing stitching holes. I used to eyeball everything... what a savage {laughs}. I got all that sorted by using a bit of creativity, a ruler, fork and an awl. Professional? No. Works? Perfectly!

^{Stitching marks}

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A proper stitching chisel would make life a hella easier, since punching holes one by one has got to be the most boring step. At least the line is somewhat straight. I heard on several YT videos that straight holes are what make stitching great, thus, the emphasis on that.

Finally the fun part!

The actual stitching is what I'm looking forward. Saddle stitching, they call it. I don't recall doing it this way as a kid, but this time around I learned the two needles method — not on my scope to teach that here, since there are dozens of great tutorials out there. We essentially go from left to right, then right to left, then pull and repeat. Left to right; right to left.

^Sewing

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The process repeats around, goes back two holes, then, we cut the thread and burn the tips. It's incredibly relaxing to sit in the living room, drinking wine while sewing leather. Half a glass of wine! Don't want to mess up the work because we drunk a tad to much.

The result is as follow.

^{Final stitch}

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The rest happened "off camera". Triming the edges and a process I only discovered now, called burnishing. It consists of applying friction to the edges to seal the leather pieces together. I do that and finish by rubbing bee's wax.

Voila!

^{Final result}

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The final result could be improved in many aspects. Leather choice could be different, for example. The piece of leather I picked feels too soft. It works, don't get me wrong, but something stiffer would look cooler. Second, I applied a bit to much force to pull the stitches, which created a kinda wrinkly look to the stitch line. Other than that, I believe the result is satisfactory for a first timer.

Now I can send the knife overseas to my friend in Australia. Hopefully he'll enjoy.

Do you enjoy leather working? Do you have any tips and tricks to share?
Lemme know in the comments.
Until next time.

Peace.

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~Love ya all,

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Disclaimer: The author of this post is a convict broke backpacker, who has travelled more than 10.000 km hitchhiking and more than 5.000 km cycling. Following him may cause severe problems of wanderlust and inquietud. You've been warned.

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I'm Arthur. I blog about Adventure Stories, Brazil, Travel, Camping, & Life Experiences.

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