LEATHERWORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 267, 10 November 1934, Page 4 (Supplement)

LEATHERWORK.

■ leather <vork is divided into two distinct branches: (1) The cheaper and more commercially need branch —suede leather work; (2) the more artistic branch, and the one of greater value —embossed leather work. The materials for each of these are the same value. The suede work, however, can be done much, more quickly, and does not require the artistic skill of the embosser, hence its commercial importance. The basic materials differ slightly in texture. The suede leather is slightly thinner than hide, and is therefore, more suitable for table runners and other articles requiring pliable material. In addition to the suede or the leather, the other materials required are: (a) A sharp knife (all leather must be cut with a knife, not with scissors); (b) a leather punch, as illustrated; (c) embossing tools made from -Jin steel (the shape as j#ustrated is the most convenient); (d) lacing and decoration require-

ments. The lacing is obtainable at 2<l per yard. The suede leather can be obtained by the "hide" or "halfhide," the approximate cost being 1/ per square foot. This suede leather work is the best form of work for large articles, as the decoration is stencilled or hand-painted, and this decoration does not need the art appreciation necessary for embossed work. In all work the design must first bo drawn out on paper, either full size or to scale-; the former is the

more satisfactory. The piece or pieces necessary are now cut from the "hide." The cutting must be done as in Fig. 2; the ruler being on the useful side of the material. This is necessary, because if the hide

MTRODUCING AN INTERESTING PASTIME. *

should slip the piece needed will not be cut. A considerable amount of care is necessary during this operation, consequently the work will take some time to do. All cutting must be done at this stage. Fringes, as shown in Fig. 3 may be used at times for decorative purposes. The decoration can now be added. For suede work this is done by stencilling or hand painting, for embossed work the design is worked up by the aid of the tool. To do this the material must first be dampened and the design is engraved with the scribing tool. The parts of the design that are to be depressed are tooled down with the end (b) of the leather tool (Fig. 1). The material is then turned over and the raised portions worked up from the 'back. This accentuates the depressed portions. All the lines of the design are scribed over again. The wotk is now allowed to dry.

i The decoration finished, the next step is to back the embossed work. This is done with suede leather fixed to the back of the hide with clag. It is necessary to back all embossed work so that the depressions formed by tlie raising of the design are covered. Now proceed to the finish of the edge. There are three ways in which this may be done: (1) A plain cut edge, the edge being cut with a sharp knife, and left at that (Fig. 4). (2) A plain cut, and then the edge bound. The edge is cut with a sharp knife, as before. It is punched with holes parallel to the edge, and at equal distances apart. The lacing is passed through, as shown in Fig. 4 (2). (3) The edge turned over and bound. This method can be followed only when there is an even number of holes punched in the material. The leather is tapped over, punched through both thicknesses of material, and laced, as shown in Fig. 4 (3). This operation completes the actual making of the article. The only remaining step is the polishing. This is done with beeswax mixed to a stiff paste in turpentine. This mixture is applied, and the work is polished with a rag.