First leather item - a purse!

Several months ago I asked my best friend if she would want me to make this particular purse (plans from Etsy) for her birthday. This project was so much bigger than I could have ever imagined! A lot of firsts (and frustration, and cussing. So much cussing.) went into the last month.

First, the original file was a PDF. The intention is that you print it out and tape it to the leather and hand cut everything. Unfortunately, the file was completely unusable for the GF the way it came. Which started a learning curve in Inkscape, a failed “order” at Fiverr, and finally a lovely man from Australia that finally got the file into shape that I could use. I learned about using the pass through to cut long pieces (thanks to some really helpful posts here I almost have my brain wrapped around what needs to happen), and settings for leather (especially how leather is NOT the same thickness all across the piece) and how to get rid of the soot.

There was also a crash course in leather working - oiling, dyeing, sealing, burnishing, blah, blah, blah. I’m amazed I’m still sane!

This was an epic labor of love for my best friend of nearly 30 years. It’s not perfect but we’re not perfect either. It’s all about the love!