Your family will be so touched by these gifts. They are so beautiful but made even more so because you made them.

They are just beautiful. Your talent is amazing!

Frugality, Vic.
I'm being frugal this year.

Well, in this case - Frugal = GORGEOUS

Thanks Vic!

Do you have a special sewing machine to sew on leather? You sure did a great job.

No, I don't, Marilyn, just a regular sewing machine. But it has a spring like thing in the foot, so I think that helped to go through the thickness.

Thanks.

Not a mechanical foot pump sewing machine?

Mom had one of those and I loved to use it, I don't think my electric one would handle leather.

Nope, just a 3 year old Brother. I don't think my older Singer or my even older Kenmore would have handled it, but this one did.

What beautifl gifts you made from those leather coats. They will be treasured for years by your family. Everyone should have had a Ninna in their lives. My beloved mother had to learn how to be frugal and she made such wonderful things out of "leftovers". She passed a little of that to me, but she never could get me to learn how to sew.

Thanks, Pegi. Lucky for me Ninna taught me to sew on her old treadle Singer many years ago. Soon as my legs were long enough to reach the treadle, I started sewing. I've been through a lot of sewing machines since then!

Of course Mom also sewed and so did my other grandmother, so it became a way of life for me. If I wanted something new, most of the time I had to make it for myself as I got older. I guess that was a good thing.

Such beautiful things you have made from old leather. I think most sewing machines can sew leather, but a leather needle is necessari unless sewing very thin leather.

Hi Magga!
It's great to see you again.

I used my thinnest needle for sewing, but I adjusted the machine to make wide stitches so the holes would be small but as far apart as possible. It's lined, and of course the lining was stitched regularly since it is fabric. I'm counting on the lining to be strong. The leather was soft but reasonably thick. Not so difficult at all.

Great job Sharon, beautiful work!
I love recycling fabrics and hit the thrift stores on a regular basis and have recently built up quite a stash! I haven't thought about leather but I have picked up a few belts for future tote bags and whatever else I can think of. I do plan on making all kinds of things now that the sewing bug has hit me big time with a new grand baby on the way. I hope to eventually have enough to open an Etsy shop with totes, pouches, aprons, bibs, blankets, etc., with maybe trial a store on Cubits

I've thought of a trial store on Cubits too, but Cubits is just a little sparsely populated right now.
Thought of FB too.
I have about 12 totes I made from old sweaters, really cute, but still haven't decided what to do with them.
And aprons.
And garden pouches.
All from recycled fabrics, old clothes.
And T shirt dresses, using the bottoms of old Tees for the skirts attached to tanks or tees for the tops. Really cute.

Still thinking about it. Let me know if you find a good solution.

I think with FB, it's a way to start getting the word out to all my friends, even directing them to Cubits. The folks that seem to do the best with Etsy have blogs, not sure I want to commit to more computer time. Would rather be sewing or gardening.
I just bought this book after reading the reviews https://www.amazon.com/dp/0312541260/
and once the baby showers are done, I can delve into and really gear up with a plan.

I agree about FB, I will use it the same way. Actually I've sold paintings via posting them on FB, but I think pictures and links would work just as well, probably better.

Too bad we are so far apart.