Unique Leather Holiday Gift You Can Make for Your Brother

A handmade leather pouch makes a unique holiday gift that any brother will enjoy year round. Small enough to carry in a pocket or briefcase, this gift can serve many purposes. A leather pouch can be crafted with decorations or trimmings to suit the recipient's interests.

List of materials:
• Soft deerskin leather, at least one square foot, 3 to 3.5 ounce
• Sinew thread, or waxed synthetic sinew thread
• Trimmings for the pouch: beads, shells, feathers, charms, buttons or whatever you choose

Tools required:
• Sharp knife
• Premium leather punch (with rotating head) for different size holes
• Straight edge/ruler
• Awl or punch
• One or two small binder clips
• Leather needles
• Optional: Good pair of sharp scissors

First, determine how large a pouch you intend to make. A good finished size for a pocket carry pouch is anywhere from 2 inches wide to 3 inches long. At this stage, you also need to decide if you will have fringe on the pouch bottom and/or sides, or a closure flap or thong tie closure.

A basic leather pouch is constructed with two pieces of deer skin leather, each as close to the same size as possible. One piece of leather will be the size of the finished pouch compartment. If you plan on a flap closure, the second piece will be long enough to fold over for the flap. If you want fringe, say off the bottom, make that side of the leather as long as you want to fringe. You will cut the fringe later.

OK, you know what size; you know that you will have a flap closure. First lay out your leather and measure the width and length for the first piece. Then measure the second piece, leaving enough extra for the flap, or an extra 1/3 length. Remember to measure twice, cut once! Carefully scribe the leather with a punch or awl to mark your cuts. Use a knife or sharp scissors to cut the leather. You now have two rectangles of differing lengths, but the same width.

Use the binder clip(s) to hold the pieces together on one side. Note that the flap portion extends above the two pieces. Carefully use the leather punch, set on the smallest hole size (0.58 mm) and punch a line of holes through both pieces of leather. Make the line as straight as you can, keeping the holes about 1/16 inch from the edge, and a tad bit more than a 1/16 inch apart. Once you have moved down one side and across the bottom, remove the two clips from the last side and continue to punch the holes.

Thread your needle, leaving at least 3 inches of loose thread at the knot and start at the top of one line of holes. As you sew, go back and forth down the line of holes. You will have thread alternating on each side of the pouch. When you get to the end of the opposite side, reverse the process, thus as you come back each side of the pouch will have each space filled. To complete the sewing wrap the tread a couple of times around the outside of the edge, using the first hole. Now use the 3 inch loose threads to tie off to the excess needle thread. Trim.

The flap may now be trimmed to shape. Carefully mark the flap in the center of the location where the fastener will be located. Then mark the front of the pouch, and sew the button or shell to the front of the pouch. Make a cut in the flap slightly smaller than the diameter of the button. The leather will stretch sufficiently to allow the button to be "buttoned". That is it. You now have a hand crafted holiday gift for your brother.

Many variations to the basic pouch are possible. To hide the stitching, add about ¼ inch to each side and the bottom of the desired finished measurement. Once the pouch is sewn, turn the pouch inside out. Now the stitches are concealed inside the pouch.

Do you want the smooth side or the rough (suede) side out? A pouch with the same design takes on a totally different character depending on whether the smooth or suede side is exposed.

Fringe can be incorporated by leaving a length of leather hanging from the bottom or even the sides during sewing. Simply cut the fringe after the pouch is sewn. Keep some tension on the leather when you cut the fringe: It makes parallel cuts easier.

Want to have a thong closure instead of a button? Simple: Instead of a flap, merely punch four larger holes on both sides of the pouch at the top. Thread a leather thong in both directions from the back to the front, pull both ends and the pouch will bunch up and close. Add some beads to the thong for stability.

Trimmings of all kinds can be added. Sea shells, silver charms, beads, and even feathers can be added to the outside of the pouch to make it a truly unique gift.

A handmade leather pouch is a unique holiday gift that your brother will treasure. You made it especially for him, and he will think of you daily when he slips it into his pocket or briefcase, filled with whatever treasures he decides to carry.

Source: Personal leather craft experience