A Day in A British Artisan Leather Goods Studio

A Day in a British Artisan Leather Goods Studio

Ever wondered what life is like in an artisan leather studio? We were lucky to have a visitor, Emily Barlow, who documented my day to day tasks, taking some gorgeous photos of the studio and processes involved with hand crafting leather bags.

S T A R T I N G T H E D A Y

After the (often frantic) nursery run, the day usually begins with a few deep breaths and a re-setting cuppa before work begins.

T H E S P A C E

When designing the studio I wanted to create a bright, clean, uncluttered and calming space with plenty of tidy-away storage, large work bench surfaces and lots of plants to help purify the air and bring nature inside.

P L A N N I N G, M A R K I N G & C U T T I N G

With hand leatherworking the quality of a piece rests on the care and attention given to every stage, including a well formed pattern and an in depth inspection of the hide to find the area with the right look, evenness and character. The pieces are hand cut after the marks are transferred from the pattern onto the leather using a steady hand and a scratch awl tool.

H A N D S T I T C H I N G

Most days involve some hand stitching work and I am dedicated to the traditional machine-free method of saddle stitching, which gives a beautifully sturdy decorative stitch.

After sanding and gluing pieces together a mark line is scratched and holes pre-made using a punch and hide hammer. The linen thread length is then measured (5 times the stitch line plus a bit) and evenly waxed, ensuring a complete coverage without too much excess.

Needles are attached to either end of the thread and ‘locked’ into place with a back sealing method. Hand stitching can then start, with each needle passing through the hole in turn. Care is given to the placement of the needle within the hole and the angle of the pull out to give that typically traditional, slightly slanted decorative stitch.

S T R A P M A K I N G

The strap cutter used in strap and belt making has to be one of the most satisfying tools. With a sharp blade inserted this tool glides along a straight edge evenly to cut the strap. Holes are then punched for the hardware and buckle holes using a rotary punch.

H A R D W A R E

Inserting the hardware is typically one of the final stages in the making process and the choice of hardware is critical to the styling of a piece. I opt for simple, non-decorative hardware made in the best quality (nickel free) pure brass. This hardware looks striking against the muted colours and adds a hint of elegance. Brass can develop an interesting patina with exposure to the air, but can also be polished again and again to look brand new.

T A K I N G A B R E A K

Taking a break is important to refresh the body and mind, and give space for reflection. The CARV studio has a large relaxation area with a view to the Devon countryside and outdoor seating, overlooking the orchard and meadow.