Hello folks, Since I started this hobby I always wanted to know how to stitch with an awl. The old fashioned way. I never really got myself to do it since I mostly do smaller goods like cardholders and such, but I always kind of felt it's a technique I should be able to use for future projects (like when it's my turn to try and follow the travel bag course;). So today was the day! I'm making a watch strap (using techniques I learnt on that course off, lol) and thought what the heck, I'll give it a go! Altho, I don't have an awl... got a smaller one on the way but none in the workshop. So what did I do? I simply thought to myself, well let's just start with the basics. Getting myself some muscle memory. So I made myself a practice awl. Simply an awlhaft with a James 002 needle in it. I punched through with my irons like I always do but when I stitched it in I simply pretended I had to pierce with the awl and pushed the needleawl through before each stitch. At the end of my strap it's basicly there, the needle and awl swaps places and the hands basicly do what feels like an instinct. Can't wait to get the real awl and try this for real. Expecting various results on the backside😂😂😂 Just wanted to share a way that I think made me get some confidence to try my awl-game:) If u wanna se the strap, hit me up on IG @saefethreads. Guessing it will be done during today:) Daniel

I've moved to a new place and I need some!

Hello, so those of you who follows my IG might have noticed me crawling back out from under my rock😅 Started making some cardholders for a few friends. Have made them before but haven't posted them I think. Anyway, they are somewhat based on Phil's cardslot course with some personalization ofc:) Here they are, love how that salmon plays the light! Whatyathink?

Hello there, just wanted to a careful warning about theese snaps from my otherwise all-time-favourite supplier Rocky Mountain Leather Supply. It's the THK ones, I used the antique brass ones on a rugged wallet for a friend. He managed to get it wet and not only did they corrode and rust but they miscolored the leather heavily! Thank God it was on a small project, that was supposed to look rugged and made for a friend. Anyhow, NO grudge against RMLeather here and I await further investigation from their customer support. Its probably the wearers fault when getting a wallet wet. But life is life and things happens so its sad either way so this will surely make me hesitate to use theese snaps in the future. //Daniel

Hello guys, haven't been around for a while. Haven't really had the time or the energy for my hobby because of inhumane amounts of work:( But I started yesterday on a new project. Women's bag for my wife as she turns 30 in August. She's been wanting a bigger bag from me8 for years so it feels suitable. Dunno what to call the type tho.. Handbag? Messenger? Just bag? The design is going to be 2 bags, put together as one. The bigger one is 33x25x12cm and the smaller 25x17x6cm. 3 part loop of about 1.2m with adjustments on each side. Magic 3part braided handle on the back. Haven't decided on the lid yet, but the bag will be shut on top by 3 snap buttons on the big one (middle with adjustments depending on how much it's filled) and 2 for the small one. Or should I skip a lid alltogeather? It's made in grey and chestnut badalassi pueblo, light grown thread to match the chestnut and a darker brown/grey/green ish mixed edgepaint. Anyway, here it is: (my god, the forum still turn my photos 90°?! >.<) Any input? <3 Daniel

Hello Phil (and everyone else), I'm just about to finish up a cardholder I made partially from your course measurements. It's a bit more slim 9.6 x 6.4 but only for one slot. Was just wondering about the internal pockets (the folded cotton, or in my case cotton/polyester mix). I understand the use of the upper one since if it's not there the card would just go into the pocket fully. But what about the lower one? Or in my case, when only one slot. Is the folded internal fabric really necessary? I'm all into the overengineered stuff but I really want this to be slim:) As always, first go got rough but at least I know about a dozen things I'll do different for the next one!😂😅 Daniel

So I've made a watch strap after seeing the course. All-in-all it went ok-ish I think but oh-my I learnt alot for the next one! Made it in black salmonleather with orange thread and pigskin lining to match my diver Squale 1521 50atmos:> Think salmon matches a divewatch in Norway quite well!:) Posted it on a Norwegian watch-enthusiast community I'm in on Facebook and actually got quite spammed with orders. Which are my first ever commissions (hurray🎉), so thank you @Philip :) PS. OMGthephotosautorotate90°again?! x.x

So this is my latest project. Sorry for doubleposting if you also follow my (fairly new) instagram😅. It's a wallet I made for my wife. Lots of fun and I certainly learnt a lot along the way! Its not perfect, as you might have seen in the "OMG HELP!?"-topics but still the best item I've made so far if you ask me. Love how you feel like you've advanced, even if just a little, every time you leave the workshop🤗

Hello folks, so I made this wallet for my wife for Christmas and it seems like the dye from the burgundy has bled through the yellow in the crease where the leather is thinner. It was fine when I wrapped it but when she opened now a couple of days later this had happened... I've used Norsol Oil Dyes on both the yellow and the burgundy. Seem like they were quite a lot more oily than fiebingsas I've used before.. I dip-dyed theese and it still feels really fat. Must say I love both the dyes and the edge finishes from Norsol but I'm not sure if dip-dye was the best way for applying... Does anyone have an idea on how to dry it out? Was thinking about putting it in the oven on like 50 60° but I'm not sure if I dare..

So, last Christmas I wanted to make my girlfriend (now my wife, so it must have worked) a bag for Christmas. But I had nowhere to make it as we live in a small 2 room flat.. But we have storage both in the basement and the attic. So I thought to myself, maybe I'll just put a desk in any of those. I started planning it out and found out that if I was going to do it, I'd do it properly. And sneaky as all was a surprise.. So I started cleaning it out, put the same flooring in as in the flat itself, same painting on the walls to make it feel like home. I think more people could do this if they'd like! And this is the result. This is my hobbyist workshop.