Hello from Canberra, Australia
Hi All,
My name is Samantha and I live in Canberra, Australia.
I love all handcrafts, and really appreciate beautiful handmade items of any type.
I began leatherwork in 1990 as a uni student - I did a short strapwork (saddlery) course at technical college at night for something different to my 'serious' studies. Our teacher was a retired saddler, and we learned traditional methods including how to hand-roll linen thread for stitching. I made bridles and headstalls with decorative hand stitching, and lots of belts which I was really happy with, but I never knew how to progress to anything that wasn't flat! I could not commit the time to do the next course which was making a saddle so my progress stalled and I eventually put my tools up (for 20 years).
Recently I have been making a lot of bags in fabric and cork (using a sewing machine), and whilst browsing YouTube for ideas, came across Phillip's videos and courses. Naturally, I couldn't resist signing up, and I have dusted off my old tools and started practising the basics of saddle stitching again.
I've decided I need a new awl, and I also want pricking irons ( I don't like the stitching wheel any more) - I am having trouble deciding what to buy, as everything has to come via mail order - which is slow, and you can't look before you buy.....
However - my old tools are not too bad for getting started again.
I love the videos and can't wait to decide on a first project. I did make the apron on the weekend with some leather I had on hand, and it isn't too bad - the instructions for measuring were great, thanks Phillip.
I have to hurry up and commit to a set of irons so I can get started seriously. 😃
Sam
Hi William,
Thanks for the comment.
I'd better set the record straight here! My stitching wheel (maybe I'm calling it the wrong thing?) is pictured below. It is a very basic tool but but does the job.
I find it very hard to make a straight line when marking out, and it marks the leather. I do need to slow down I think and that might help. I'll also experiment to see if I can run it along a ruler to help keep straight, but that will only work for shorter lengths. The problem for me is that I find it very hard to see exactly where the wheel is contacting the leather unless I look from the side - and that instantly makes my hand go off course!! That's why I was thinking the pricking irons would be better.
When doing saddlery items we used a groover to mark the course for the stitching and the stitching wheel was easier to control. I don't think the groover will be a good idea on finer and more detailed work - but Phillip please comment if this is wrong. (Also, this is poly thread - i am not hand rolling linen at the moment - and probably wont either :) )