Simple Card Holder Instructions
1. Check you have everything in your kit
- Pre-cut and Punched Leather Pieces
- 3 x Canvas Cloth for burnishing & protecting
- 2 x Binder Clips to help you stitch
- 2 x Colours of Handmade Waxed Thread
- 1 x Keyring Loop
- 2 x Sewing Needles
You will also need:
- Small pair of scissors
- Your quality time, 2-3 hours
- A small pot of water
2. Measure the thread
Your Simple Card Holder has 1 stitching section, so you will only need to cut a single 90cm length of thread. Start by choosing the thread colour that you would like to stitch with, then measure and cut the 90cm piece of wax thread.
Did you know?
For any hand-sewn leather project, you will need a length of thread that measures at least three times the length of the stitch section!
3. Burnish the edges
Burnish the top edges of the leather pieces (edges with no stitch holes) and the sides of the small leather piece (optional).
Top Tip !
Use a cotton bud for extra precision when wetting the edge so as not to damage the leather surface.
4. Thread the needles
A. Thread the eye of the needle with the 90cm piece of thread.
B. Pull through 6-8cm of thread and then pierce the thread.
C. Pierce the thread again at 1cm distance along the long piece of thread.
D. Holding the needle tip, pull down the entire thread. This is called locking the needle.
E. Follow steps A-D with the other end of the thread and second needle.
5. Place pieces together
Place pieces A and B together, lining up the holes and then clip in place with the binder clips. Use the canvas cloth to protect the leather.
Optional Steps: Adding a D-ring to your card holder (you can skip these steps and jump ahead to step 8 if you would like).
6. Fold the leather.
Fold the small piece of leather around the D-ring, lining up the stitching holes.
Top tip!
A small piece of double sided tape can be used to hold this in place while you work.
7. Add the D-ring
Insert the D-ring tab in between pieces A and B.
Top Tip!
Use the end of the needle to line up the holes.
8. Start sewing
Push your needle through the top hole (indicated) and pull the thread through until you have an even amount on both sides.
9. Tack Stitch
Create a simple secure bar tack stitch by bringing the right hand needle up and over to the other side, pushing the needle through and back to the right side, creating a loop of thread.
Pull this firmly closed and repeat on the other side.
10. Saddle Stitch along the stitch section
A. With one hand, take the needle from one side of your Card Holder and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.
B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.
C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.
D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole.
Particularly if you are adding the D-ring, ensure the holes are aligned as you stitch.
Continue to stitch all the way around the stitch section.
11. Secure the thread
Once you've reached the end you will need to secure your thread. To do this you can use back stitch. Change direction of the stitch and stitch back 3 stitches, then cut the thread as close to the hole as possible and tuck away any visible ends with the back side of your needle.
12. Final burnish of the joined edges (see photos below and step 3)
Finished Simple Card Holder!
Ta-daa! Congratulations, you have now finished your personally crafted .Ar:ti|sans Card Holder!
We would love to see your creation and how you choose to use it! Share it with us and our crafting community so we can celebrate your leathercraft dexterity. Maybe your creation will store your cards, be a gift to a friend or a classy addition to the end of your lanyard. Tag us @artisans.life on Instagram (using the hashtag #artisanslife), tell us what you enjoyed most about the making experience.
P.S. Did you recognise our Keyring Kit wrapped in your thread? Now you can practice your leathercraft skills further by crafting your very own leather keyring! Click here to access the Keyring Craft Kit instructions blog.
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