Effie Cotter, reporting
Otherwise known as a pouch, dear Reader!
Friday afternoon’s workshop was a leather-working event in which a selection of pre-paid attendees created a small leather pouch using kits provided. A similar kit is available through Tandy Leather, proud sponsors of all Steampunk endeavors.
Each piece was pre-cut and had holes pre-punched for the lacings, but a pair of leather scissors and an awl would do the same jobs for the creative crafter. The participants began by staining their leather pieces in various colors, taking some care to avoid staining the epidermal “leather” that covers their hands and arms as well. While not strictly required, I am told it is easier to stain the pieces prior to assembly.
The belt loop snap and front clasp required hammering and a snap setter, as well as a hard concrete surface, so participants lined up to engage in that activity using the sole mallet available. Then, it was time to stitch.
Each kit came with waxed thread and two needles. To get a good, solid seam, one places a needle on each end of the thread, then runs it through the first hole until the halfway point, so that the needles are on opposite sides of the leather pieces. From there, one runs each needle through the next hole, switching sides. Continue thusly, not unlike lacing a corset, until you reach the end, then run back along the seam until you run out of thread or patience.
After assembly, one can embellish the pouch with gears, embossing, tooling, and so forth. Later in the weekend, I participated in a tooling workshop, which I will cover at a later time, dear Reader, so that you might learn somewhat of the craft and perhaps decide to engage further in such pursuits.
In all, an excellent workshop, well worth the time. I saw several of the finished products and, while I am sure your average Eagle Scout would scoff at such works, for those of us unfamiliar with the medium, it was a worthy pursuit.