The leather industry is not as humdrum as everyone thinks. While enthusiasts are quick to determine the traits of handmade from workmanship leather, the general population is left with the same perception regarding these two leather products.
For one who knows the difference, handmade leather products are made entirely by hand. The entire process does not require the use of machinery from the cutting phase to sewing the leather and finishing the product.
As such, handmade goods are more valuable and better priced because of the labour efforts exerted in each product. Workmanship leather, on the other hand, is often machine-sewed and sometimes undergo machine cutting and stitching.
Construction Difference Between Handmade and Workmanship Leather
Handmade leather has stronger and more durable stitching because of the two locking stitches running the opposite side of the material. As such, the thread passes on either side of the leather.
On a machine-sewn material, when a thread snaps at some point, the whole side would separate from that side of the leather material. Thus, handmade leather products do not just provide the longevity you need but also have better stitching quality than workmanship leather.
Nonetheless, one of the identifying differences of handmade leather from machine-sewn is quality. Handcrafted bags are almost always made from high-quality genuine leather. Machine-made leather bags and goods tend to have synthetic makeup and are a lot cheaper.
The Aesthetical Difference of a Hand-sewn and Machine-made Leather Product
Saddle stitching is one of the most effective ways of giving a leather product a neat line. The slightly angled stitching provides a clean look resulting in an angled finish and smooth stitch lines.
One of the challenges of handmade leather is the time required to complete a single creation. The most considerable aesthetic aspect of a hand-stitched leather piece is its durability and refinement that only human hands can create.
It is easy to see why handmade leather products are reasonably priced, considering the amount of time given for a particular creation and the intricacy of the process. Conventionally, hand-stitched leather goods are not only better at quality, but they are also better aesthetics-wise. This means the combination of aesthetics and durability ensure they are intended to last for a lifetime.
Essential Tips when Looking for Authentic Leather Products
Looking for authentic leather products these days is often frustrating because of the myriad of synthetic leather posing as real. It may be surprising to some, but genuine leather has an individual feel that a fake material does not.
Here are the best ways to judge authentic leather versus a synthetic one:
- Examine the texture. Real leather is either smooth or coarse, depending on the type and quality of the material. A product posing as authentic leather usually has a plastic feel and a very sleek appearance that is almost too real for genuine leather.
- Inspect the pores. Authentic leather appears with an inconsistent pore pattern because of its natural make. In contrast, human-made or manufactured leather has an almost perfect design with a repetitive and consistent order.
- Study the edges. A good indicator of a leather’s authenticity is the edges. Genuine leather has a rough and natural side, while fake leather has a perfect and smooth edge.
If you are looking for a genuine handmade leather product in Australia, always look for trusted makers who have the knowledge and experience in making quality handcrafted leather products.
