As you might have already figured out, I’m learning leather working as a new skill for my portfolio of capabilities. As it often goes, my kids come up with some great small projects, and this time is no exception.
My son was spending time with me in the workshop, and asked if I could make his teddy an actual hat. Until then he had been playing with some leather scraps from my other wet forming projects, so I decided to model a form for the hat, print it, and vacuum form it. Total time spent was around 2 hours, including the hand-sewing and 3D modelling.
The end result turned out pretty good. Maybe a bit too good for a teddy…
Build log:
The first step was to 3D model a shape for the hat…… print it, and find a small piece of thick leather.I let it soak for some time in warm water with dishwashing soap to break the surface tension. The leather was put into the shape by vacuum bagging it. I kept the leather in the bag for approximately 6 hours, and then let it dry. After the leather had dried, it was easy to see the edge of the rim for cutting it out.The shape was easy to cut with a sharp knife. It didn’t have to be perfect as it was sanded after.The distance for the stitch line was marked with a caliper around the rim, and then punched through the leather with a pricking iron.My son decided that the outer edge would use red thread. I used the good old saddle stitch for it. I also found some thin nylon rope that I will add to the sides so the hat can be easily kept in place.After the first row of stitches, I bevelled the edges with a no. 3 beveller.I added a second row of stitches that will keep the hat in shape even if it gets wet.My son selected yellow as the colour for the second row of stitches.Final touches. The edge will be slicked smooth.Done. It’s not perfect, but perfect enough for the use of it.I’m getting a very Mexican vibe!Look at the happy face! My son was glad about it as well 😉
