Was linked to this community so I figured I should share some of my favourite leather pieces that I’ve made in the last year or so as I’ve been learning. I won’t go into detail but I’ll link each one to post that has more pics and details on it in case there is additional interest. There are a few extras in the thumbnail pic too but I’ve not gone into detail for the sake of brevity.
All my work is done in scrap veg tan leather that I get in bulk. Some of my older pieces use flat, waxed polyester thread but I’m trying to move to a natural ramie (“linen”) thread.
I’m a little obsessed with using contrasting and complementary colours in both the leather as well as my thread, so any more natural looking “brown” leather is kind of rare for me… It may not be visible in just the thumbnails but I do have a “signature” thing in most of my work which is to adjoin two pieces of leather, edge on, with an x-stitch. Sometimes it will be to close a loop but more often than not I will be attaching two dissimilar pieces in order to both create a contrast and to avoid needing really large contiguous pieces of leather (remember I mostly work from scraps).
I also draft all my patterns myself, I usually start on some paper to get an idea or to get rough dimensions before using a 2D CAD to create proper dimensioned drawings then print these out, stick them to card and trace them onto the leather. I can then store them away in case I want to re-use them in the future.
So yeah, I like making stuff from leather, its a really fun hobby and I’m enjoying improving my skills. I had a hiatus for a while but with a few birthdays recently I’ve been enjoying making targeted presents for friends (the top two in the list were both presents).
Needle case (Warning, this one is in a women’s only community so read rules if you plan to comment…)

Lego tool holder

Ginkgo leaf bag charm

Wallet

Tiny purse



Thanks! I find the trick is to just be as consistent as possible. Line up the stitch lines as best as you can and when stitching make sure you always keep to the correct side (e.g. pull the thread down to the left on the “reverse” side and you will always get that same diagonal stitch coming out on the front. I mostly stitch by holding the piece rather than using a clam or any other kind of aid, I find it much easier to be consistent with what side is what and which needle you are using when you don’t actually hold the piece symmetrically.