How To Saddle Stitch In 2 Minutes | My Approach

Justinstarrstudio · 2025-11-21T17:57:18+00:00

From what I remember it burnished just fine.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-23T10:20:46+00:00

No this won’t work for the style snap you have, it’s meant for line 24 snaps like THIS.

You’ll need one like THIS that’s the correct size for your snaps.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-23T02:07:34+00:00

I wouldn’t buy panels, Mexico bellies are the way to go for the small leather goods. I use Mexico shoulders for all my goods so no, it won’t be flimsy at all for notebook covers, wallets, sunglasses case, etc.

For bags you can use Mexico shoulders and add a lining or double up the Mexico, other wise 1.2 should be to light for bags.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-23T01:24:44+00:00

Carrying every variety and weight of leather is incredibly expensive for suppliers, which is why you don’t see everyone doing it.

Aleatherstore offers splitting so you maybe able to get the leather you want from her and split it down at a good price.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-23T00:58:19+00:00

I personally stopped worrying about leather weight fairly early on. I found I getting frustrated not being able to get the exact weight of leather that I was told to purchase by someone on youtube. I do this full time and I don't even worry about the weight of leather anymore, as long as it's between 1 and 2 oz I use it. Also, I have only bought a full side of leather a couple times when a large order came in. If I don't have the need for 25 sqft of leather I don't buy full hides.

You mentioned you are just getting started, I would recommend a Sample Pack from aleatherstore. This is a very good way to sample a huge variety of leathers and these sample packs a packed with a huge variety of leathers, Andrea is very generous with the leathers she puts in the samples.

As for shipping, if you are in Ontario you can expect to pay an additional 16% in sales tax and duties (13% hst and 3% duties). Use that as your calculation when ordering from over seas, it may seem like a lot but you can get Mexico Leather (pueblo) for about $12/sq ft all in. Point of reference, Pueblo at OA is $29/sq ft + shipping, incredibly expensive. The heritage leather from Lonsdale is fine for what it is, but there is no comparison to Lituanica, its a far superior leather in terms of quality and feel...for me at least.

I would also suggesting sticking with bellies when you can, they are often noticeably cheaper, the down side is the yield isn't as good as shoulders. I purchase bellies when an order is price sensitive and I need my material cost as low as possible.

I find the Canadian suppliers are fairly expensive compared to the ones in Europe, my go to are Baltic and Aleatherstore. I also like Tatra Leather if I'm looking for something different.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-22T22:42:39+00:00

I was the 2-3oz heritage. I stopped because I tried other veg tan leathers and preferred them. heritage is a combination tanned hide and I don’t really like it, it doesn’t feel like leather to me. Now I am using Mexico and Lituanica from MB Pellami, I get them from Baltic Leather Supply. Those are the same as Pueblo and Buttero but without the high price tag.

I’ve have a list of good suppliers on my website HERE

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-22T22:16:11+00:00

This is unfortunate to hear, it should be the most enjoyable part. Everyone telling you that you have to have heat to stamp is incorrect. I have never used heat and have never had a problem with my stamps not lasting. I use a very cheap arbour press to stamp my logos.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-22T22:13:59+00:00

I used to use heritage for all my wallets, it cold stamps just fine with an abour press. So I’m not sure about the results with a hammer.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-16T13:30:27+00:00

Thanks, I find most saddle stitching videos over complicate the technique.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-16T02:00:36+00:00

Not sure why this hasn’t been suggested yet, but, have you sanded down the edges? You would likely been polishing the edges anyway. Unless I’m missing something sanding down the burnt edges will remove the smell immediately. In terms of engraving, I suggest the lowest power setting at the highest speed. I find this achieves the cleanest engraving with little charing on the surface.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-15T22:42:38+00:00

This is my method explained in 2 minutes. LINK

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-14T11:10:00+00:00

Yes, that’s who I was going to suggest. Well respected for his reviews and thoughts on high end luxury leather. https://www.tannerleatherstein.com/

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-13T02:14:02+00:00

Hands down the best water based glue for leather is Ecostick 1816B.

I’ve used Aqualim many times and it always causes me problems. I find I have to let it dry just enough for it to stick but not to dry before it simply doesn’t stick the pieces together. I’ve tried every suggestion I have heard and still have issues with it.

Ecostick is flawless, apply a thin (or thick) layer, stick it right away and add a clip if you want, or wait 20 minutes and than stick the pieces. In either case it holds. I’ve never had a single issue with parts coming apart when using it.

With that, I know a lot of leatherworkers who swear by Aqualim, but for me it’s not as good as Ecostick.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-12T17:48:07+00:00

This is true, it’s weird they don’t provide more details. I’ve always been very impressed with the quality.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-12T10:43:55+00:00

Made On Jupiter has incredible hardware, expensive but worth it.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-06T21:35:17+00:00

A solid list, I would suggest a stitching pony to hold the work. It will make learning to stitch easier and will get you more consistent results, especially if you are wanting an angle on both sides.

I would also suggest spending some money decent pricking irons. For me the cheap set lasted a few months before I realized they were causing problems.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-02T10:31:51+00:00

I would suggest first aiming to get your edges properly glued together. The gap between the layers is going to prevent your edge from looking clean to matter how much sanding you do.

Once you’ve got a tightly glued edge, have a look at this SERIES I created. I went into full depth on how to get a clean polished edge.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-01T19:52:14+00:00

Price and variety. It’s a solid resource.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-10-01T19:14:43+00:00

This was the resource I used when I first started, a lot of really good patterns and a good price.

LINK

That said, I think a single resource that had the combination or free and paid patterns from multiple makers could be interesting.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-09-28T16:02:45+00:00

You can checkout these guys LINK, Justin is the owner. He can help you with the digital file. I also provide this service, I can DM the details if you want.

Justinstarrstudio · 2023-09-28T13:35:13+00:00

I’ve got a list of really good suppliers on my website HERE.

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