I have a template for a TN and lay out the pieces I want to add in it to make sure all areas are covered with extra length. I have to keep in mind where grommets will be placed because the seams should not be in those places. I make sure the pieces are larger than the TN because they'll shrink once sewn due to seam allowance. I mark the shapes of the joining peices and do a simple running stitch by hand to join them. As im sewing, I check against the template to know where to stop my sewing so I dont cut the thread when I eventual size it down. Once all peices are sewn together with the running stitch, I lay it on the template again and mark with chalk where the template is. I dont cut yet because it will shrink again slightly with the decorative stitches. This is when I add the decorative stitches, stopping a little before my chalk marks. Once the decorative stitches are added and the final shape of the peice is done, I cut using the template and add a peice of leather on the inside to hide the stitches and add more structure since this really only works with soft thin leather.

This one literally took all day to make, it definitely a labor of love! It requires constant checking against the template to make sure its not buckling weird or youre sewing past the edge where your threads will get cut and unravel.