Made in a traditional atelier atmosphere, where every step is done by hand, our leather goods are a work of artisanal art.
We specialise in the traditional french leather craft, which was primarily established by Hermès in the 1900s.
Today only Hermès itself and a small amount of ateliers around the world continue to keep the leather artisanship alive.
CRAFTSMANSHIP
Traditional French
Luxury Craft
Made in a traditional atelier atmosphere, where every step is done by hand, our leather goods are a work of artisanal art. We specialise in the traditional french leather craft, which was primarily established by Hermès in the 1900s. Today only Hermès itself and a small amount of ateliers around the world continue to keep the leather artisanship alive.
Saddle Stitch
The saddle stitch is one of the main technical elements of the artisanal leather craft. Considering where the technique comes from, sewing horse saddles, provides for the reason why the saddle stitch is the strongest stitch we know.
The saddle stitch is executed by hand with two needles and one single thread, as opposed to machine stitching, where you have one needle and at least two separate threads. Before the sewing process takes place, the leather is prepunched with a steely pricking iron, a special tool with diamond shaped prongs.
Although machine sewing would be much faster, the saddle stitch offers significant quality advantages. In machine sewing the top thread interlocks with the bottom thread in the middle of the stitch, creating two tied loops. This exact point is where a machine-stitch always breaks first as the two threads are constantly rubbing at their weakest point. A saddle stitched thread on the other hand will be intertwined and knotted, which makes the stitch so durable. The technique also allows for another advantage: If a saddle stitch happens to be cut on one side, the other side remains intact, so the overall stitch will continue to retain its integrity. Unlike the machine stitch, where one broken stitch will very likely cause the whole seam to unravel.
This element and the pre punched sewing holes make it easier to repair saddle stitched leather goods – a key characteristic of true luxury products. Although a very time consuming step in the crafting process, we are very proud to be incorporating such a valuable, artisanal technique into the making of our products.
Saddle Stitch
The saddle stitch is one of the main technical elements of the artisanal leather craft. Considering where the technique comes from, sewing horse saddles, provides for the reason why the saddle stitch is the strongest stitch we know.
The saddle stitch is executed by hand with two needles and one single thread, as opposed to machine stitching, where you have one needle and at least two separate threads. Before the sewing process takes place, the leather is prepunched with a steely pricking iron, a special tool with diamond shaped prongs.
Although machine sewing would be much faster, the saddle stitch offers significant quality advantages. In machine sewing the top thread interlocks with the bottom thread in the middle of the stitch, creating two tied loops. This exact point is where a machine-stitch always breaks first as the two threads are constantly rubbing at their weakest point. A saddle stitched thread on the other hand will be intertwined and knotted, which makes the stitch so durable. The technique also allows for another advantage: If a saddle stitch happens to be cut on one side, the other side remains intact, so the overall stitch will continue to retain its integrity. Unlike the machine stitch, where one broken stitch will very likely cause the whole seam to unravel.
This element and the pre punched sewing holes make it easier to repair saddle stitched leather goods – a key characteristic of true luxury products. Although a very time consuming step in the crafting process, we are very proud to be incorporating such a valuable, artisanal technique into the making of our products.
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“Although the french leather craft involves very time consuming steps, we are very proud to be incorporating such valuable, artisanal techniques into the making of our products.”
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“Although the french leather craft involves very time consuming steps, we are very proud to be incorporating such valuable, artisanal techniques into the making of our products.”
Linen Thread
The manual saddle stitching allows for the use of thicker and natural thread. In our atelier we use double twisted, waxed linen thread, which has been made in France since 1847. This high quality thread has been twisted a first time and then assembled and twisted a second time. The double twist, as well as its thickness, increases the solidity and longevity of the thread. The beauty of a linen thread is usually reserved for hand stitching only, as the heavy friction and small needles of sewing machines demand for polyester threads.
With its natural lustre, linen thread provides for a very luxurious detail. It is also one of the strongest natural materials, being very sturdy, rot- and abrasion resistant.
Linen Thread
The manual saddle stitching allows for the use of thicker and natural thread. In our atelier we use double twisted, waxed linen thread, which has been made in France since 1847. This high quality thread has been twisted a first time and then assembled and twisted a second time. The double twist, as well as its thickness, increases the solidity and longevity of the thread. The beauty of a linen thread is usually reserved for hand stitching only, as the heavy friction and small needles of sewing machines demand for polyester threads.
With its natural lustre, linen thread provides for a very luxurious detail. It is also one of the strongest natural materials, being very sturdy, rot- and abrasion resistant.
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“We offer a wide range of thread color and edge paint options for our products. As we work made to order, our customers are able to decide if they wish for a tonal or contrast finish.”
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“We offer a wide range of thread color and edge paint options for our products. As we work made to order, our customers are able to decide if they wish for a tonal or contrast finish.”
Edge Paint
Manually applying edge paint is another key element of luxury leather crafting and actually the most time-consuming step. In the finishing of our leather products, we sand and paint the edges by hand, resulting in a perfectly smooth and long lasting surface.
This luxurious finish is the result of a technique, that heavily relies on time-honoured skills. From a raw leather edge to the final state it takes about 4 rounds of sanding, edge painting and heat treatment. We use Italian edge paint, which is heat resistant, water repellent and highly durable. The great feature about painted leather edges is not only that it is protecting the edge, but after year’s of wear the painted edges can be sanded off again and re-painted to recondition your product.
Edge Paint
Manually applying edge paint is another key element of luxury leather crafting and actually the most time-consuming step. In the finishing of our leather products, we sand and paint the edges by hand, resulting in a perfectly smooth and long lasting surface.
This luxurious finish is the result of a technique, that heavily relies on time-honoured skills. From a raw leather edge to the final state it takes about 4 rounds of sanding, edge painting and heat treatment. We use Italian edge paint, which is heat resistant, water repellent and highly durable. The great feature about painted leather edges is not only that it is protecting the edge, but after year’s of wear the painted edges can be sanded off again and re-painted to recondition your product.
Commited to Quality
Saddle stitching and edge painting are crucial and very traditional steps in french luxury leather crafting.
A craft that has a long history in France linked to some of the most famous luxury houses – and a craft that produces truly exceptional items.
In todays day and age it is all about improving speed and efficiency.
In order to lower costs and increase productions, production companies try to involve as few humans as possible. We are actually doing the complete opposite:
Each product is entirely made by hand from beginning to end, putting quality above everything else.
Commited to Quality
Saddle stitching and edge painting are crucial and very traditional steps in french luxury leather crafting. A craft that has a long history in France linked to some of the most famous luxury houses – and a craft that produces truly exceptional items.
In todays day and age it is all about improving speed and efficiency. In order to lower costs and increase productions, production companies try to involve as few humans as possible. We are actually doing the complete opposite:
Each product is entirely made by hand from beginning to end, putting quality above everything else.
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