There is always debate about hand stitched leather versus machine stitched. Machine stitched is definitely quicker, but it lacks character and hand stitched has some other serious major benefits.
Hand stitched leather is more durable than machine stitched
You must have had it happen, you know, 1 thread come loose and all of sudden that whole stich line is unraveling. Hand stitching leather with the traditional saddle stitching method means it is a double stitch all the way through the leather. This way each stitch locks the other one in. So , if one stitch does wear through the whole side of your wallet, bag etc wont unravel.
Not only is it stronger, it will mean repairs ( if they are ever needed) are cheaper as it wont need to be taken apart and re stitched, handy hey. This also means that you will be without your precious piece for too long.
Hand stitching looks super cool.
Hand stitched leather looks stunning on just about anything and can be a feature of the item. Its easy to make your stitching stand out or blend in with matching or contrasting colours.
Handstitching instead of mass produced machine stitching means customization is so much easier.Using veg tan leather lets you hand dye as well, giving you greater scope with creativity.
Hand Stitched Leather is a sign of craftsmanship
It is a serious sign of commitment to the centuries old artisanal values of skill and quality. When someone has hand stitched a leather piece, much care has been taken to ensure the stitching holes are hand punched in exactly the right place. By doing this it ensures the stitch is strong and looks great.
Attention to detail, quality and longevity is part of the process with hand crafting and hand stitching.
Its fun
Hand stitching leather is an amazing thing to do. Its relaxing to the point of being therapeutic. This is when the artisan can start to see the piece really come together and enjoy the satisfaction of the culmination of the care and effort put into the previous process.
So there you have it, if you want your leather products to be made with care, skill, craftsmanship and a sense of joy, than make sure they are hand stitched.
At Wild Savana, we revel in the whole process of hand crafting beautiful leather pieces with the purpose to join you on your journey.
