Bridal-wear, handstitching and leather

Today I learnt how to handstitch leather at the Leatherworkers Guild Association of NSW. Our presenter, Ian Lancaster of RedBack Saddles has been making saddles and bridle-wear for 35 years and he intends to keep working for another 20 years making saddles.

Ian demonstrating handstitching leather.

When he first mentioned bridle-wear, I was thrown off, thinking bridal-wear ie lace, commitment, bridezillas etc. Long story short, I now know how to handstitch leather using 1 thread and 2 needles as well as all the preparation that goes into preparing leather for stitching. Some of Ian's tools were made in the late 1800's and these tools were given to him as part of his 7 year apprenticeship. Ian and the other leatherworkers are the workshop did confirm a few leather sewing thoughts that I have been picking up from all of your leather experiences so I feel more confident to sew with leather now.

Here's the friendly local kookaburra who watch on from outside.

And finally here's my MMM'12 for today.

The top is Kwik Sew 3740 using a rib knit fabric ($3/m) from Spotlight last week. This is the toile version. Sharon and Alison recommended this pattern to me because the cowl collar sits nicely and the seams on the cowl can't be seen, because the lower cowl is skinnier that the upper cowl.
The pants are v1204, my mustard legs.

There's a slight bit of ruching at the front of the sleeve head. I promised Carolyn that I'd show how I applied skinny elastic to the sleeve head of the remnant top I made recently.

I deliberately placed the elastic more to the front of the sleeve.
BTW I'm pooped.