Bespoke Leather Accessories

The process

After your design is finalised I start by drafting the pattern for your particular bag, belt or accessory. I then choose the best leather and after marking out the pattern details, I cut each piece out of the hide by hand.

Using a compass, every edge that requires stitching is marked and then using a pricking iron and hide mallet the stitch marks are made along this line.

Usually an iron marking 7 stitches per inch is used but for finer work a smaller iron marking 9 stitches per inch can be used. The holes are made with a piercing awl once you begin stitching.

"It was a real treat to receive my bespoke belt from Katherine in the post and a real satisfaction in having designed it with her help to ensure it had all the detail I wanted."

"An excellent product and fantastic service"

Michael Ogden, London

Next, any edges that are not to be stitched are bevelled to give a nice, rounded edge and then burnished by hand with a linen cloth to give a glossy, watertight finish.

A length of linen thread is coated with beeswax to protect the thread whilst sewing and a harness needle is threaded at each end; this is the traditional way of sewing leather. After stitching, a bone folder is rubbed over the stitches to flatten them into the hide making them less susceptible to wear.

"The quality of the leather, and the craftsmanship were fantastic – in fact I was so pleased with my purchase I ordered another belt for golf almost immediately. Suffice to say, I will be ordering again".

Michael Ogden, London