Behind the Scenes

At The Leather Hut, each of our leather goods is more than just a product — it’s a story of craftsmanship, dedication, and passion. From the moment we select the finest materials to the final stitch, we pour care and attention into every detail.

Leatherworking is an art that requires time, patience, and skill, and we believe in doing things the right way. Whether it's hand-stitching every seam or carefully finishing the edges, our goal is to create leather goods that are not only functional but also beautiful, durable, and uniquely yours.

In this section, we invite you to step inside our workshop and take a closer look at the meticulous process that goes into crafting each piece. We’re excited to share the journey of creating your favorite leather goods, from start to finish.

Behind the Process: Crafting a simple two slot Card Wallet

Behind its minimalist design is a detailed, handcrafted process that takes skill, patience, and care.

Every step, from selecting the finest leather to the final stitch, is done by hand. This ensures each wallet is unique and made to last. On this page, we’ll walk you through the journey of creating one of these wallets, showing you the craft and attention to detail that goes into every piece.

Take a closer look at how we bring this simple design to life, without using any modern machineries. we will be using just traditional hand tools to bring this wallet to life.

Choosing the Leather & Marking the Panels

The journey of creating our 2-slot card wallet begins with selecting the finest vegetable-tanned leather. We specifically choose this type of leather for its natural beauty, durability, and the rich patina it develops over time. Vegetable tanning is an age-old process that uses plant-based tannins, which not only makes the leather eco-friendly but also ensures each piece has a unique, one-of-a-kind character as it ages.

Once the leather is selected, we carefully mark out the panels for the wallet. Precision is essential — we take great care to measure and plan every cut. Using sharp, high-quality tools, we cut each panel by hand to ensure clean, crisp edges and a perfect fit for the final assembly.

Beveling & Burnishing the Pockets

After cutting the leather panels, the next step is to shape and smooth the edges of the wallet’s pockets. This is where beveling comes into play — a technique that softens and rounds off the edges of the leather to give it a polished, professional look. Using a beveling tool, we carefully trim the edges of each pocket to remove any sharpness, ensuring they feel smooth and refined.

Once the edges are beveled, the next step is burnishing. Burnishing is the process of smoothing and sealing the edges to prevent them from fraying while also enhancing the leather’s natural color. We use a traditional hand burnisher, applying gentle pressure and a bit of water or edge finishing cream to achieve a rounded, shiny finish. This not only improves the look of the wallet but also strengthens the edges, ensuring they hold up to daily use.

Brand Embossing & Personalization

Once the edges are burnished and smooth, we move on to adding the personal touch that makes each wallet unique. The first step in this process is brand embossing, where we imprint our logo onto the leather. Using a heated embossing tool, we carefully press our brand mark onto the outer panel of the wallet. This subtle but distinct detail ensures that each piece carries a touch of craftsmanship and authenticity.

For customers who desire something extra special, we also offer personalization options. Whether it's initials or a name, we carefully emboss these details to make the wallet truly one-of-a-kind. Each personalization is thoughtfully placed to complement the design, making sure it aligns perfectly with the overall aesthetic of the wallet.

Gluing & Pasting the Leather

With the embossing complete, it's time to bring the wallet together. Gluing and pasting the leather panels is a crucial step that ensures everything fits perfectly before stitching. We use a strong, leather-specific adhesive to bond the inner and outer layers of the wallet, ensuring a secure hold while we prepare for stitching.

The adhesive is carefully applied to the edges of the panels, making sure not to use too much — just enough to hold the pieces together without creating any mess or excess glue. Once applied, the panels are pressed firmly and left to set for a short time, ensuring the adhesive has a strong grip. This step helps maintain precise alignment as we move on to the stitching, creating a clean and professional finish.

Marking the Stitching Line & Punching the Holes

Now that the leather panels are securely glued together, we move on to one of the most important parts of the process: marking the stitching line and punching the holes. This step ensures the stitching will be perfectly aligned and uniform, contributing to both the strength and beauty of the wallet.

First, we carefully measure and mark a precise stitching line along the edges of the wallet. This line serves as a guide to ensure each stitch is consistent and straight. Using a pricking iron or stitching chisels, we then punch evenly spaced holes along the marked line. Each hole is punched with precision to create a clean, uniform pattern. The depth and spacing of the holes are important for achieving strong, neat stitches that will stand the test of time.

This step requires patience and care, as the accuracy of the holes directly impacts the final quality of the wallet. With the stitching holes ready, we are now prepared to hand-stitch the panels together.

Saddle Stitching

With the stitching holes prepared, it's time for the art of saddle stitching — a handcrafting technique that ensures durability, strength, and a beautiful, professional finish. This is the step where the wallet truly begins to take shape.

To begin, we use a stitching pony to hold the wallet in place while we work. The stitching pony acts as a clamp, securing the leather in a stable position and allowing us to focus on the precise movement of our needles and thread. This tool is essential for maintaining consistent tension and alignment, which is key to producing strong and even stitches.

Using a waxed thread and two needles, we stitch through the pre-punched holes, working from one end to the other. Saddle stitching is done by passing each needle through the opposite side of the hole, creating a strong, locked stitch that holds the leather together securely. This technique is not only stronger than machine stitching, but it also creates a beautiful, uniform look that enhances the natural texture of the leather.

Each stitch is made with careful attention to tension, ensuring the thread sits perfectly in the leather and that each stitch is evenly spaced. This process can be time-consuming — but it's worth it for the strength and quality it provides. As we stitch, we continually check for consistency, making sure the final result is flawless.

The result? A wallet that not only looks stunning but is built to last, with every stitch reinforcing the integrity of the design.

Buffing, Beveling & Burnishing the Edges

After the stitching is complete, we turn our attention to perfecting the edges of the wallet. These final finishing touches are what truly elevate the look and feel of the leather.

First, we buff the edges to smooth out any rough spots and prepare them for the next steps. Buffing helps to refine the texture and creates a soft, even surface that enhances the overall appearance of the wallet.

Next, we bevel the edges, a process where we gently round off the corners using a beveling tool. This step softens the edges, giving them a polished, professional finish. It also ensures the leather feels comfortable in your hand, with no sharp corners that could cause wear or discomfort.

Finally, we move on to naked burnishing, a process where we finish the edges using only the natural friction from a hand-held burnishing tool — no paints, coatings, or edge creams are used. This technique allows the natural oils from the leather to come through, resulting in a smooth, glossy finish that feels organic and raw. The friction from burnishing compresses the leather fibers, sealing the edges and giving them a rich, polished look without masking the natural beauty of the material.

This entire process takes time and patience — it’s a step that requires precision and care. Buffing, beveling, and burnishing are crucial in creating a refined, high-quality product, and though it can take hours to perfect, the results are well worth the effort. These finishing touches ensure the wallet is not only visually stunning but also built to stand the test of time.

Overall Time to Craft the Wallet

The time it takes to create each leather wallet varies depending on its design and complexity. For our 2-slot card wallet, the process typically takes around 3.5 hours from start to finish. However, larger or more intricate designs can take anywhere from 6 to 8 hours. Each wallet, regardless of its size, is made with care and attention to detail, ensuring that every component is perfect.

What truly sets our work apart is that every product is crafted entirely by one artisan, from start to finish. The same craftsman who selects the leather, marks the stitching lines, stitches the pieces together, and burnishes the edges, is the one who puts their final touch on the product. This allows us to maintain a high level of consistency and quality throughout every stage of the process.

In a world of mass production, we take pride in the time and skill that go into each piece. We believe that quality craftsmanship can't be rushed, and that’s why we dedicate hours to creating a product that’s not only functional but also beautiful and made to last.

The Final Product: A Wallet Made to Last

After hours of meticulous work, the result is a beautiful, handcrafted 2-slot card wallet that’s ready to serve you for years to come. Each wallet, made with care and precision, reflects the time, craftsmanship, and dedication poured into it.

The leather is smooth, the stitching is uniform and strong, and the edges are burnished to a perfect, natural shine. With every detail carefully considered — from the selection of vegetable-tanned leather to the hand-finishing touches — we’re proud to deliver a product that combines functionality, beauty, and longevity.

Each wallet is not just a tool to carry your cards; it’s a small, durable piece of art that tells the story of skilled craftsmanship, one stitch at a time.

Thank you for taking a closer look at the process behind our wallets. We hope it gives you a deeper appreciation for the care and dedication that goes into making each piece.