KINGSMERE CRAFTS

Thonging (lacing) due to its versatility can define the edge of an article just as dyeing the edge does. It conceals raw edges, strengthens joins, and the edges themselves. As to whether to use holes or slits for the lacing, well, there is no great debate, it is entirely a matter of preference. I prefer holes, probably because it is easier to thread the leather through, and a thonging needle is not always required.


Whipstitch	Triple-loop stitch	Double-loop stitch	Single-loop stitch

There are virtually endless possibilities open to a leatherworker. Thousands of things can be made with leather, from a keyring to a saddle. Most of the things I've made over the years were made using vegetable-tanned leather (in other words, tooling leather) but there are so many different kinds of leather and things to make with them. If a customer has something particular in mind, on occasion they will offer their own design. Not all are practicable and it has to be adapted to achieve what is possible.

The things I make, or made, are purses, wallets, belts, keyrings, hair barrettes, business-card holders, belt pouches, mobile phone holders, cigarette and cigar cases, watchstraps, briefcases, knife pouches, book covers, chess boards, table mats, guitar straps, musical instrument cases, snooker cue cases and lots, lots more. Then in more recent years the repair and restoration of the leather interiors of privately-owned aircraft and publicly- and privately-owned helicopters; the seating, the panelling, the table tops etc.

Apart from the aircraft of course, most of the things are made to patterns from my own designs, specifically created for particular leather projects, but sometimes purely speculative. Some things got made by adapting designs I'd created for something else but the new was sufficiently similar that to start from scratch was unnecessary. Besides the design of an article there is the making of the pattern which will be used to transfer it to the leather. It hardly needs saying that no matter how good or clever the design the pattern is the most important part of the proceedings. Once the leather is cut . . . you can't turn back the clock!