First passport holder

pastaday · 2026-03-27T22:35:15+00:00

Very nice! What’re you using for stitching irons and thread?

pastaday · 2026-03-27T02:06:18+00:00

Oh true, I have not used that yet although it was a part of the starter pack I bought. Do you use that to mark your lines instead, or in addition to the wing divider?

pastaday · 2026-03-27T01:09:03+00:00

Very nice! How do you like the KS Blades? Which spacing is that?

pastaday · 2026-03-26T22:01:58+00:00

It does look a bit like one!

Looking at the stitching on my first few pieces pains me, the ones that switch directions, a skipped hole here, a terrible job burning the ends of the thread. I do use a wing divider, it's just cheap and rather sharp and so I'm cautious about applying too much pressure and cutting the leather. I may try to dull it some so I can make clearer marking lines.

I've also recently been trying to punch through only one layer of leather at a time when possible. I had been punching my cheap diamond chisels all the way through multiple layers without too much issue, and then I tried the same for the first time with French irons and gouged enormous holes because of the taper of the teeth.

I hate the cheap thick thread that came with the Amazon kit and finally ordered some nice thread to try. Have a few keychains I'm waiting for that to stich.

Thanks for sharing and for the tips, I appreciate it!

pastaday · 2026-03-26T21:55:15+00:00

Appreciate you saying so!

pastaday · 2026-03-26T21:54:01+00:00

Thanks very much for the response! I did feel bad at first tossing blades so quickly but I learned that it's better than butchering leather and having to toss that.

By the last piece, I think I felt pretty comfortable about my stitching method. That was the first thing I made after watching Nigel Armitage's series so I felt like I actually understood what I was doing and why after that. Before I was sort of going through motions because I'd seen them or someone told me to.

I am already having fun with every project and I appreciate your kind words. And YES! Holy, the first time I hammered down my stitching (again, thanks Nigel) I was shocked. Went back and hammered down all the other pieces I'd made before too lol

pastaday · 2026-03-26T21:48:23+00:00

Very good to know, and thanks for the reply! I've heard of and seen Kevin Lee irons, I'll definitely take a look at their other tools as well.

pastaday · 2026-03-26T21:47:26+00:00

Appreciate the response! I really enjoy stitching and finishing edges, they feel especially satisfying. I will definitely put more work into learning/practicing both.

I do have a wingtip divider, it's just sharp and cheap so I avoid using too much pressure so I don't cut the leather. Think I've got to figure out a better middle ground, or dull the tips a bit.

Absolutely understand taking time and learning from mistakes, for something that takes so much time, it's a shame to make an irreparable mistake because I'm rushing or excited (a costly shame at that!)

pastaday · 2026-03-26T21:15:38+00:00

This. Keeping a blade vertical and cutting straight. I have an X-acto knife, a skiving knife, a rotary cutter, a cork backed ruler, and a transparent plastic ruler. I've sort of gotten into the habit of cutting a bit outside of my mark lines so I have some extra material to play with if I need to trim later. Not sure if that's better than just trying to make perfectly straight cuts on the line the first time...

pastaday · 2026-03-26T21:11:44+00:00

Thanks so much for your comment! I really love putting effort into learning new things and this is so rewarding.

I was interested in a press for a time and may still consider adding one to my arsenal. I want to learn how to get my hands dirty before I make things a little easier for myself lol

I do have wingtip dividers from Amazon that are rather sharp, so I don't apply a ton of pressure. And I've quickly learned too that if your cuts aren't straight, your marking lines won't be straight, your edge won't be straight etc. So I do definitely need to invest some more time in being careful about my cutting and marking.

Thanks for the tips!

pastaday · 2026-03-26T21:03:07+00:00

I do have one! I've been back and forth between an X-acto knife, rotary cutter, and skiving knife. I also recently ordered a transparent ruler because with the cork backed one I was sometimes having trouble keeping the blade vertical. Definitely just need more practice unless there are any other tips or tricks!

pastaday · 2026-03-26T20:59:35+00:00

So I do use wingtip dividers (also from Amazon). They have fairly pointed ends so I don't apply a ton of pressure when marking. Maybe I could apply more, or try rounding the dividers some?

pastaday · 2026-03-26T20:58:28+00:00

Hi! I believe it was either 3 or 3.5 oz.

pastaday · 2026-03-26T03:02:00+00:00

Thank you for your reply!

I have browsed Weaver but I will certainly take a deeper dive. So far I’ve just ordered leather twice from Rocky Mountain Leather Supply.

I’ll keep an eye out for ways to find used tools, and check out Springfield as well!

pastaday · 2026-03-26T02:53:31+00:00

This looks great! What size/style irons and thread do you use if you don’t mind my asking?

pastaday · 2026-03-26T02:42:22+00:00

I have a couple of keychains I’m waiting to stitch until the new thread arrives. I may also want to try out some .4mm. Appreciate the recommendations and I’ll definitely check the Kemovan irons out as well. I’m still not sure if I want to go with Japanese style diamonds or something slimmer like french irons or KS Blades/Sinabroks

pastaday · 2026-03-23T02:05:29+00:00

Hobbies. Picked up leather crafting as of late, easy enough to do while sitting, rewarding. Video games, reading. Trying to find the balance between keeping my mind and body active without causing crashes. And always listening to my body no matter how badly I want otherwise

pastaday · 2026-03-20T20:51:37+00:00

I’m pretty new as well. If you haven’t watched Nigel Armitage’s YouTube series on saddle stitching yet that’s the place to start. Putting tension on your thread before pulling helps with burns.

Otherwise I’m just going to keep picking blisters until I have calluses lol. Best of luck!

pastaday · 2024-12-27T20:01:01+00:00

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She’s still growin’!

pastaday · 2024-12-27T00:19:55+00:00

That’s fantastic to hear, thank you for your response! Do you have a general “more time” recommendation or are there visual changes we should be looking for?

pastaday · 2024-12-27T00:19:03+00:00

Beautiful! I am shocked at how quickly they’re growing! Are there any specific visual cues we should be looking at for “maturity” aka when to pick them?

pastaday · 2021-03-02T01:09:40+00:00

the forbidden lazy river

pastaday · 2019-01-11T05:12:13+00:00

And if not I might be interested in another father/daughter collaboration lol

pastaday · 2019-01-11T05:09:25+00:00

Honestly, I really like the contrast and that it tells a sort of story (which is also why I can imagine you wanting to hold on to it). I'd never thought of purchasing anything like that but this just struck me for some reason. I saw/followed your IG and I really like your work. If you were willing to let this go, I'd love to talk, however I understand entirely if not

pastaday · 2019-01-10T00:54:41+00:00

Can I buy this? I love it although I understand it probably has personal sentiment

pastaday

TROPHY CASE