Alright guys, so today I’m gonna walk you through this little project I tackled: making a Loewe-inspired coin pouch. It was a bit of a journey, let me tell you.
First things first, I found some decent leather scraps online. Nothing fancy, just some vegetable-tanned stuff ’cause I liked the natural look. I really wanted that supple, slightly rustic feel, you know?
Then I started sketching out the design. I really looked at a bunch of pictures of the Loewe coin pouch to kind of get the vibe. I knew I couldn’t replicate it exactly (ain’t got those skills!), but I aimed for something similar in shape and size. Think rounded edges, minimalist stitching. That was the goal.
Next up, the template! I used some cardboard to make a template based on my sketch. Cut it out carefully. This is where I really spent some time, making sure the curves were smooth and everything was symmetrical-ish. Nobody wants a lopsided pouch!
Time to trace the template onto the leather. I used an awl to score the leather lightly. I did this because it gave me a nice, clean line to follow when cutting. Speaking of cutting, I grabbed my trusty craft knife and carefully cut out the leather pieces. This part was honestly a bit stressful. One wrong move and you gotta start over. No pressure, right?
Now comes the fun part: stitching. I decided to go with a simple saddle stitch. First, I punched the holes using an awl and a stitching chisel. I made sure the holes were evenly spaced and aligned. This is KEY to a good looking stitch. Then, I threaded my needles with some waxed thread and started stitching. Slow and steady wins the race, people. It took a while, but I eventually finished the stitching around the entire pouch.
After the stitching, I burnished the edges. This involves wetting the edges of the leather and rubbing them with a piece of wood. It helps to smooth out the edges and give them a nice, finished look. I also added a little bit of edge paint to seal the edges and protect them from wear and tear.
The final touch? A simple snap closure. I installed the snap using some pliers and a setting tool. I made sure it was nice and secure. You don’t want your coins falling out all over the place!
And there you have it! A Loewe-inspired coin pouch. It’s not perfect, by any means. I made a few mistakes along the way, but I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. Plus, I learned a lot in the process. Definitely a fun little project!
Here’s a quick rundown of the tools I used:
- Leather scraps
- Cardboard for template
- Craft knife
- Awl
- Stitching chisel
- Waxed thread
- Needles
- Edge beveler
- Burnishing tool
- Edge paint
- Snap closure
- Pliers and setting tool
Would I do it again? Absolutely! Maybe next time I’ll try a different type of leather or a more complex design. The possibilities are endless!
