Dop

First of all, this looks like a fun and smart design, I like the idea of a fully zipped compartment for the wallet, that is easy to reach for.

Here are a couple questions though :

• I don't understand what you mean by "attach them with a W shape" can you elaborate ?
• will there be a system to keep the whole item closed (such as another elastic string, or maybe a snap button?)
• how do you plan to stitch the elastic band for pen holder, so that it's strong enough to last through time, but also it doesn't mess with the closure of your notebook-wallet?
• have you already planned the way you want to mix leather and fabric, and how you are going to stitch/sew it all together?
• you have 2 sides to leather, flesh side ("inner" side of the hide) and grain side (the skin side). So if you want the grain to show on the back, for instance, you will have the flesh showing on the front (or vice versa). Flesh side is usually considered less noble, and may deteriorate through time and turn mushy/flaky. To avoid that you have several options : lining with a thin leather (goat works great, it can be thinned out and remain strong), but then yiunhave to stitch the lining all around and work on a nice and clean edge finish. Or a cheaper/easier way is to buy veg-tan leather and rub the flesh side with tokonole and burnish it to get it stabilized. But maybe you have another plan in mind?

Good luck with you project, looking forward to seeing how it goes!

(And SOAD ftw!)

I too use fiebings. Also, as actionjbone mentionned, it's vegetable tanned leather indeed, not vegan leather.

I can imagine haha!

I use fiebings, they have two type of dye, the regular and the 'pro' one. Regular dye are alcohol based, and the pro one have a mix of oil and alcohol. I mostly use the pro dye, but I've had good results with both.

The one I used here is their royal blue pro dye.

Ah, been waiting on this one! As Actionjbone has said it's a great little project, fits perfectly its intended purpose, so I'd just say congratulation!

For the next one, maybe get proper thread, it'd be much more durable and would make it look more like traditional leatherwork.

Looking forward to seeing your take at the madamesew pattern! Are you planning on mixing leather and fabric for this project?

I'm mostly self taught, this started as a hobby back in 2020, but in 2024 I applied and got hired at Hermes, and I've been crafting handbags for them since then. All the work I share here is from before Hermes, and I must say it has helped me improve the quality of my work a lot, as the eye for details is crazy there. But I don't have time to practice at home anymore haha

The longest I have worked with is about 2 arm span, I could do more if I had too, but I'd avoid it if possible.

Yeah, the curling and twisting come from the coil. There are a couple tips to work with lengthy thread.

1/ work with shorter thread. I know it sounds dumb but I wouldn't recommend working with more than twice your arm span. You can work with shorter thread, pull the thread out through the edge when it gets too short, tie a very thigh couple of knots, and push the knots back deep in the edge with an awl dipped in a drop of glue. Then clamp the edge to ensure it's all invisible. Then start from your last stitch with a new thread (obviously it works if you end with a nice and clean edge work afterward, and won't work with fabric).

2/ if you want to work with the full length of thread, first you should hold the thread at one end, then go around some kind of stick or handle (a hammer handle is fine), like once or twice and pull the thread gently all the way to kind of straighten it. Same as you would do for curling a ribbon on a blade, except you go around a couple time and pull gently.

3/ also, every once in a while, especially when you get too much curling/twisting, pull gently on the thread letting it run between your thumb and index, from the stich to the needle. Additionally you can let the thread hang, see how it twists, and roll the needle between your finger in the opposite of the twisting.

Working with long length increases the risk of thread breaking, so you should wax is properly and pull it through a rag then, to kind of melt the wax and get rid of the excess before stitching.

I was wondering since you stitched around the top edge too. Kudos on the craft!

Nice work! If looks like you went with turned edges on the handles, that's a nice touch! Is the tote lined inside?

Not sure this is saddle stitch since the thread seems to go around the edges. Looking forward to checking out your cardholder!

Well the edge work is clearly not my best, but overall he was happy with it! Didn't take that long to stitch (a couple of houra) although working with such thread length is a bit of a pain.

Thank you :)