Thursday, 26 April 2012

A Little Piece of Leather

Watch closely, this is the probably the nearest I'll ever get to posting an online tutorial!
It's not for anything exciting, I'm afraid, and the only reason I'm doing it,  is for the benefit of anyone else like me who finds it impossible to sew with a thimble.  I've tried various types, and different sizes over the years,  but I've never really got to grips with them.  Then a few weeks ago, a very kind lady lent me one that stayed on my finger, and didn't impede my stitching. Unfortunately, she had bought it  from an unknown location in the States, and I didn't really think the purchase of a thimble justified the air fare.
But then I looked at the original, and realise it didn't exactly push my resourceful skills to the limit, to make my own. 
Firstly I cut out a piece of leather ...
Then laid a piece of wide elastic across the leather, folded the top section of leather over the elastic, and stitched it.
I find it easier to stitch first, then trim the elastic to size.  I have stitched in white because I couldn't be a***ed to change the thread in my machine wanted to make it easier for you to see.
Then, just trim the leather and elastic close to the stitching line
Not exactly a thing of beauty, but it does the job.  And, of course, if you haven't got any leather in your sewing box, everyone's got an old pair of leather trousers in the wardrobe that they'll never wear again, even if they DID fit.  Oh, just me, then.
If you want a slightly prettier thimble, use pink leather, and pink elastic with sparkly silver hearts.
I might make loads, to keep my fingers warm in my fingerless gloves.
If I knew how to put patterns on here, I would.  But I don't so you're on your own, I'm afraid.

A Little Piece of Leather - Donnie Elbert

8 comments:

  1. They do say that' necessity is the mother of invention' here is the perfect example ,I found your tutorial very helpful ,and certainly something I could copy and use, because like you thimbles are just not an option .Thankyou for sharing ...love Jan xx

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    1. Glad you found it useful, let me know if you get around to making one!

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  2. I'm with you Gill I can't get on with thimbles really don't like them. I use a stick on leather one. They are brilliant and I've been using the same one for about two years.

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    1. Ooh, I never thought of just super glueing a bit of leather to my finger. Now that would have been even easier!

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  3. You are not alone with the leather trousers in your wardrobe I'm afraid...

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    1. It's ok, we've all got skeletons in the closet x

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  4. Noooo don't think I have one of those

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  5. OOoh, what a good idea. I can't get on with thimbles at all but I also hate sore fingers so ...

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