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The start of my Leather craft journey

1/2/2019

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“The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.”
― B.B. King
​ 
As I have said in previous blogs and social media posts, when I originally began working with leather it was purely to have ‘accents of leather’ incorporated into my existing bags designs.
 
Then I attended my first hand stitched leather course with Katherine Pogson!
 
I was introduced to saddle stitching and some of the basic leather tools and techniques.. My face when I discovered there was a tool for cutting straps and how to burnish edges, was an absolute picture! There was me trying to cut straight straps with a ruler “Pah - You know nothing...!”
 
By the end of 2016 I had taken 3 courses with Katherine at City Lit and was regularly practising what I had learnt in my studio with a small selection of tools I had purchased.
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Second bag and first of many hand injuries!
​Luckily for me, there are other Leather craft designer-makers based in my studio building. Back then, Candice Lau was just across the corridor from me and was so generous with her knowledge, tools and with scrap leather I could play with. Mark Tallowin was on the ground floor and also, very generous with his knowledge and tools and the loan of a fantastic resource “The Leatherworking Handbook” By Valerie Michael which had been recommended to me by others as well.
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My starter Leather craft tool kit
Sidebar.. while all of this leather-learning was taking place, I was also revisiting Bespoke Tailoring techniques with a colleague. Basically, I was cheating on Tailoring with Leather! Leather craft had me completely hooked – sorry Tailoring!
 
...and yes there will be a lot more post about my Leather Craft journey. The learning will never end!!!
​
You can see how my leather craft journey has progressed in my Instagram posts.  Click HERE.

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Leather Craft courses taught by Candice Lau and Katherine Pogson.
http://studiocandicelau.com/workshops/
https://www.designercourses.com/


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Happy New Year

5/1/2019

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So much happened  in 2018, me thinks you will be reading lots of blogs talking about what Deco22 has been up to.
There will also be reposts of blogs from the old website with small updates.
Looking forward  to a creative and fulfilling 2019!
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If at first you don’t succeed try, try again.

5/1/2019

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First published: 11/6/2015
It generally takes me a long time to learn most things. 
I only  discovered I was dyslexic in 2010 while doing teacher training.
It took me almost two years and three attempts to finally pass my driving test. It took six months of driving my first car before I was truly comfortable driving alone, knowing there was no-one else with access to a secondary brake pedal.

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It took me so long to learn how to pattern cut, I do not actually remember when I finally got to the stage I could create a complete pattern on my own. I studied fashion for five years, with at least one pattern cutting class per week. I also made things for myself in my own time... some projects were more successful than others.

When I graduated and started my first job as a pattern cutter and design room assistant, I discovered that many of the pattern cutting processes I was taught in college were too slow for industry work. I heard time and time again, “Oh! I haven’t seen it done like that in years! We don’t do it like that…” (Usually accompanied by an “oh, bless..” smile.)

I guess learning to pattern cut in college is like learning to drive - I learnt the skills I needed to pass the courses, then I needed to learn how to pattern cut for day to day purposes.

Over the years (as I previously mentioned in my blog “Networking is no longer a dirty word”), I have been lucky enough to work with some really talented and skilled pattern cutters and machinists who were willing to pass on their knowledge to me. I used to be so unsure of what I was doing, working in fear that making a mistake could hinder my career progress. Once I gained confidence (Yes, Allyson confidence IS the key! I still have the card you gave me J), I realized that I learn from every mistake, so fear of making mistakes should not be my focus. I should simply ‘give it a go’ and see what happened.

It makes me smile now, when I am teaching and see pattern cutting and sewing students have similar struggles I had. I now hear myself giving the same advice I was given by all the people who have taught me. I have been pattern cutting for over 20 years and I am still learning! I have found teaching has really helped me see just how much I have learnt….so far.

Now that I have now moved in to leather work, I found I am more willing to make lots of mistakes, as I understand it is all part of the process of learning and mastering new skills. I also have a better understanding of how I learn. 

So, frustrated pattern cutters , new learners in general.. Just be patient with yourself. Things WILL go wrong, sometimes you will have to start again from the beginning. It will take a while to understand what works for you when learning new things.
But ”If at first you don’t succeed…”
Other Links

Pinterest boards

Teaching


https://uk.pinterest.com/infodeco22/teaching/

Sewing and pattern cutting

https://uk.pinterest.com/infodeco22/sewing-and-pattern-cutting/

Other blogs that might interest you.

Teaching blog


http://principalj.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/encouraging-growth-mindset.html

my Blogging pal 
​https://theasmartthenry.co.uk/

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    Jasmine Carey is the designer maker for Deco 22

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