Category: Leather Craft

Wanted a portable shoehorn for a while, but did not find the right one.

Finally found one at Loft, so decided to cover it with leather and hang on my bag.

Quite surprised how fast I finished this one, but I obviously did not spend too much time designing.

Shoehorn after detached from the holder

Marked the outline on the leather

Made holes on the contour +2mm

Attached another leather on the back, punched holes again (a mistake) and started sewing.

 

What the other side looks like

Cut the leather to match the contour

Did not completely close the leather, but still completed sewing to create a nice shape.

Putting it all together

Complete

3rd customization/change I am doing to my Tumi bag.

As I realized the leather on the handle is breaking and looking bad, decided to replace it. Taking the old leather out was easy, stitching (by hand) another one was a pain and I broke 3 needles in the process.

Before:

Old Leather after I took it out. Had glue and some other material

Used the old leather to create the shape.

Marking and cutting the leather

Preparations for sewing

Painful process of sewing

Most difficult part. Needle had trouble going through two layers

Results

First time working with Cordovan leather, and what a fabulous leather it is.

Purchased online from Leathermania  (payment via Amazon) and what a wonderful leather it is.

Made in Japan by Shinki Hikaku , in Himeji, Hyogo. An area that has many tanneries and good leather companies.
As it is rather small (and expensive), decided to make a business card holder. The Cordovan was used for the exterior and main pocket.

Result is quite good, I could improve the side and how it closes, but overall the result is great.

 

 

 

Decided to have a notebook cover to my notebook cover.
Something that will carry my notebook, a pen and a few business cards.

Design is straight forward, the result is amazing (in my opinion).

 

 

 

 

 

Finished making a new bag, this time a laptop bag.

Realized that my bag is heavy and if I could split the weight it would be much easier (although more cumbersome) and will also allow me to use my handmade leather bag.

Very proud of this one, as made the handles by myself and designed it from scratch.

Actually, design has changed in the middle as I decided to add a zipper, which destroyed the intended curves I planned, but overall happy with the results

 

Bought a large piece of Crocodile pattern embossed leather at Tokyu Hands.

Have plans for a Laptop carry bag, but still thinking on new products.
As I am too busy, I expect it to take a while till I can complete this one.

 

Got tired of the camera case I bought and wanted to change the design a bit.

As always, used paper to design (not in the photos), and thought carefully which parts to sew first.

Could complete it quite fast.

30 minutes for the design, 30 minutes for cutting the leather and varnish. + 1 hour to sewing it all together.

(And time to go to Shibuya to buy some parts)

 

As I lost my previous watch pouch, I believe it was during a business trip in Seoul, decided to make one.

Used バネ口  (literal translation from Japanese, spring mouth), clasp (?). Glued silk to the inner parts to protect the watch and sewed it together.

Overall quite simple, with a very good result.

I need to make a decision if I take another step improving my Leather Craft skills, or just continuing what I am doing now.

Do I make products only to myself, or do I start producing more leather products as presents to friends an family.

Already made a decision I will never try to sell, but for me the biggest difference is wether I continue to buy leather from Tokyu Hands or similar, or do I invest more money and buy better (and more expensive) leather.

Considering buying from Kyoshin . Seems like they have a good product in a reasonable price.

Finally!

It took some courage and planning, but I took the challenge of making my own business bag.

Design was inspired by bags I saw online, but actual final design and implementation was done based on my needs, Laptop size, leather quality and size and some improvisation.

As always, there are some things I would have changed and done differently.

For example:

1. Leather width – used 1.6mm when I think 2mm was stronger and better
2. Left some pieces in their rough stage, with raw edges instead of varnishing.

 

But overall, I am delighted. Still missing the straps, some water protection and will start using it.