Hello, since long time ago am asking myself, what are the acceptable defects that it can be in Leather Crafts area?
As you know, every handmade craft should have it characteristic of hand making while you might see some minor defects (which is not a totally defect) it’s hand not machine .. so regarding this case what do you think could be acceptable or not?
I hope to hear from you all!
Thanks
I have just a small story to tell: One year I visited our local potter's association and purchased some gifts and a lottery ticket. I was one of 12 winners! Twelve artists had donated one piece of their work and each winner got to pick from what was left. I gazed at the table of incredible creations and was feeling very fortunate! Unfortunately (or fortunately as it turns out) I was the last one to pick and my winning piece was, although lovely, boring and without life. It was perfect, the glaze applied beautifully, the shape perfect, etc. It was so perfect it looked like it had been machine made and that's why no one wanted it! That lesson taught me, take it for what it's worth, that there is beauty in the mistakes and that uniformity and perfection kill the soul. This is my truth. I understand the drive for perfection, I feel it myself, but no matter how hard I try I never reach it!
Another quick example is the quilt making of Gee's Bend. If you don't already know, quilt making has long been ruled by straight seams, tight angles, sharp corners, traditional patterns and perfection. Then, the women of Gee's Bend came along and showed us what art is! https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/fabric-of-their-lives-132757004/
For me, none! Not a single defect is acceptable, not a tiny teeny tiny small one.
I am completely against the idea that "Handcrafted means defects/less clean work". For me, handcrafted means you put all of your skill and heart into whatever you are making. I personally consider myself a craftsman (in everything i try to learn, not just leather) and never consider myself an artisan.
That being said, when i say that I do not accept defects (at least in what I make), it means that I only consider a defect something that I cannot do better.
Let me explain:
- Scenario 1: I am edge painting and after the third layer there is still a small valley that is barely visible on the edge. This is a defect that the client will not see and does not really care about (You should see the edges Vuitton has, terrible!). But, I know that i can do a better edge with a single smooth rounded edge paint coat; then this is an unacceptable defect in my book.
- Scenario 2: Let's imagine I am making a wallet, with straight corners and stitching all around. Sometimes, whatever I do or plan, and even when I place the stitches with the help of a CAD software, there will always be one long or short stitch in the wallet. Due to many factors. Now, this is something that again will not be noticeable from someone who is not an expert, but most importantly, it is something that i tried to solve and I made it using the best of my current skills and abilities. In that case, this small defect is acceptable.
For me, the question has always been "Can i do this better?" rather than "Is this acceptable?"
I understand that handmade leather crafts need to have a certain degree of character and uniqueness, but it's important to ensure that the end product is of a high quality. Generally speaking, acceptable defects in leather crafts include minor discoloration or small scratches on the surface, as long as these defects do not affect the overall look and functionality of the piece.
The good thing about the leatherwork master class is you learn so much and especially you learn what you did not know you did not know. Now, the bad thing is, I can see the defects in so many leathergoods that I never noticed before and now I am dissatisfied with them even though they are expensive! Darn this class! I bought leather and supplies to make myself a tote bag about 3 years ago. One thing led to another and I never got around to making that tote. Now I know what I would have done wrong and I am cringing that I could have made that tote and done it all wrong, or at least, substandardly. I am so thankful I found this class and waited to make the bag. I am in the middle of making it and it is going to be sooo much better than I ever knew was possible. Thanks to the masterclass and to Philip!
Well that's entirely up to you and what you're trying to achieve. Are you in some sort of leatherworking competition with someone (or worse, with yourself)? Then no error is acceptable. You cross-threaded a stitch 50 stitches back? Undo them and start over.
But are you trying to sell? Then a few little errors can be acceptable, customers are not leatherworkers, you literally have to point out every little thing with your finger for them to notice. By order of importance people care about brand, colour, design, functionality, smell, and a general feeling of overall quality and attention to detail. I would only consider an error unacceptable if I feel it compromises the latter in the eyes of a third person who is *NOT* a leatherworker.
There are no acceptable defects. I do not go into a project thinking 'if this bad thing happens, that is ok'.
Of course there will always be defects (a mistake), we are not god after all. So, our only job after a defect happens is to learn and find a way to stop the defect from happening again. This is how we improve towards mastering our craft.
You can see, this is not about defects, rather this is a philosophy, or a way of thinking.