An issue of the Society’s newsletter, transcribed from the original.
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Page 1 — 14th ANNUAL MEETING HELD AT BARRIE, ONTARIO
Canadian Leathercraft
Volume XIII No. 3 Spring 1964
14th ANNUAL MEETING HELD AT BARRIE, ONTARIO
For the first time in the 14 years of its existence the Annual
Meeting of the C.S.C.L was held in a city other than Toronto. On April 4th, 1964 the members met at the Central United Church Hall in Barrie. The Barrie Branch of the C.S.C.L. played host to the meeting.
The morning started at nine o'clock with registrations and setting up of displays. The coffee and cookies served by the Barrie group were very much appreciated, especially by those who had to leave home by 6 a.m. The business meeting started shortly after ten. Two members received Associate standing in C.S.C.L. -
Mrs. Kay Cloughley of Barrie, Mrs. Janet Smith of Guelph. Another first was set! The Barrie Branch is the first to win the Weston Trophy three years in succession. The five winning articles were crafted by Mrs. Clara Cavanagh; Mrs. Hilda Darbyshire; Mrs. Betty Heacock; Mrs. Jessie Trew and Mr. Dwayne Trew.
A delicious smorgasbord luncheon was served most efficiently by the ladies of the church.
As our guest speaker of the day,Mr. Garn Pratt is known to most members through association with Clarke and Clarke Leathers. When Tandy Leather Company bought out Clarke & Clarke's Mr. Pratt opened his own hobby store in Barrie-Garnet's Hobbies. Mr. Pratt's most enjoyable talk lightened the serious note of the morning's business with interesting and amusing anecdotes from his years of dealing with the public.
All material published in "Canadian Leathercraft" is the property of the Canadian Society of Creative Leathercraft, and may not be reprinted in any form without written permission of the Society. Editor of "Canadian Leathercraft is Mrs. Margaret McFarlane, 45 Summerhill Gardens, Toronto 7, Ontario.
Authorized as Second-Class Mail by the Post Office Department, Ottawa, and for payment of postage in cash.
Page 2 — DEMONSTRATIONS
DEMONSTRATIONS
The afternoon was devoted to demonstrations; Mrs. Irva Ford of Hamilton on Dying Leather Gray and Inverted Carving; Mrs. Jean Newton of Toronto on Bottle Covering; Mrs. Jessie Strain of Galt on Flower Making; Mr. Frank Torry of Hamilton on Change Purses; Mrs. Helen Wheaton of London on Dyeing Leather; Mr. Harold Wilson of Hamilton on Plug Embossing. As usual each demonstration was crowded. Oh, to be able to be in two places at the same time!
Dyeing Leather Gray: Most leather is natural colour and there are many dyes on the market for colouring but there is a problem if gray is desired. A 3% solution of ferris sulphate will change the colour of the leather. It is quite slow and a belt will need many coats, maybe 5 or 6 until a good gray appears. Mrs. Ford got the idea of using a stronger solution (10%) but use your own judgment. Be sure to have leather wet and apply generously to both sides of belt. If you can't finish your belt and it dries, wet it again before using the solution.
Bottle Covering: A large group watched the very interesting demonstration on covering bottles. The main points stressed were:-
1. Use suede for first effort. It is pliable and easily handled.
2. If using heavier leather,damp and mould to shape before cementing to the bottle.
3. Be sure to allow plenty of leather for seams.
4. Put Bondfast or White Cement on the bottle and the leather.
5. Smooth out all air bubbles. Pull the leather well up the neck to allow for shoulder seams.
6. Be sure the side seams are straight.
7. Use a stitch marker that gives 8 stitches per inch.
8. Awl holes to be straight, not on an angle.
9. Be sure to pull stitching envenly.
The ready wit and easy mannerism of Jean Newton added greatly to the interest and enjoyment of the demonstration and everyone learned a great deal from this brief hour.
Flower Making: Among the interesting projects demonstrated was flower making, in particular a gardenia. These flowers are cut from white doeskin and the leaves from green suede. White and green covered wire and fine uncovered wire, floratape and white cement is used (Jessie used LePage's Bondfast). Jessie also makes beautiful poinsettias and watching her it looks so easy. Dyeing Leather: Helen used a wallet back for her main demonstration.
Maple leaves of varying sizes were placed on the leather and Garnet Antique daubed on the background (looking like rain spots on the dry leather). The outline of leaves and veins were carved, and stems and a few spots in the leaves given several coats of Garnet Polish Coat. For bright colours use toning dyes on dry leather. Helen showed how bright colours can be toned down by using Golden Tan Antique, wiping off and applying Havana Brown Antique, wiping off, then Chestnut Brown Antique making the leather a beautiful shade of brown. The stems and spots did not take the antique of course adding to the effectiveness of the design.
Page 3 — REMINDER
Change Purses: We had a very interesting and informative demonstration on change purses by Mr. Frank Torry -very neat three section design change purse in morocco leather of his own creation. Also a change purse and wallet combined to make it very compact.
Plug Embossing: Harold recommended that for this type of embossing the belly of the hide be used as there is more stretch in the leather. In preparing the plug or cut-out pattern, this should be approximately 1/16" smaller than the design on the top piece of leather that is to eventually fit over the plug. By skiving the edge of the plug, this will allow for a smooth edge on the face of your work when the piece of leather is fitted over this plug. He advised using white cement on the plug when placing it on the back of the design, after which a piece of cardboard is glued over the back of your work. Dampen the front of your design to complete carving and bevelling. On a small jewellery pin the plug is removed after the shape of the design has been obtained. The plug is cemented on cardboard and can be used over and over. Polish Coat is applied to back of design to stiffen and hold it in shape.
REMINDER: Membership fees were due and payable at the Annual
Meeting. Please send fees to the Membership Convener, Mrs. Nora Huyck, R.R. 3, NEWMARKET, Ontario. Members are reminded only paid-up members will receive bulletins and notices of special meetings etc.
Page 4
Sketches by Anne Hook F.C.S.C.L.
Acknowledgement: We are indebted to the following members for contributing articles covering our 14th Annual Meeting in Barrie. Sherle Bottrill Betty Heacock Thelma Terry Nina Wilson Clara Cavanagh Nora Huyck Elsie Tuck
Page 5 — BRANCH REPORT
BRANCH REPORT
BARRIE: During the year there were two executive and eleven regular meetings held, with an average attendance of 14 out of a membership of 21. Barrie Branch meets on the last Wednesday of the month with the exception of July and August.
The programme for the year was varied and interesting. Two socials were held, one entertaining Hamilton Branch, when one of our members repeated a demonstration on design, and the other our own get-together with our spouses,followed by a visit to Simcoe County Museum at Midhurst. Items crafted were a table centre,braided belt, leather tray, jewellery and a stacked pen. Demonstrations on the above mentioned items were given, also a talk on Design.
Apart from the activity at home, 10 members travelled to Rochester for the International Assembly where one member judged and one demonstrated. Ten members assisted with the Annual Christmas Sale in the Canadian Handicrafts Guild Gallery at Toronto at which articles of 9 members were sold.
One member' received a recommendation award in the Ontario Souvenir and Handcraft Competition and a first prize in the Canadian Handicrafts Guild section at the C.N.E. and another member received the Chatelaine Award and 3 prizes at the C.N.E. A third member had a stacked pen set chosen (at the Christmas Sale) for use in the Legislative Library in the Parliament Buildings in Toronto.Our Branch was also represented in the Stratford Display.
1964-65 Executive
President - Mrs. May Corbett
Vice-President - Miss Helen Anderson
Secretary - Mrs. Joy Findlay
Treasurer - Mrs. Kay Cloughley
HAMILTON: Eight regular meetings and when necessary executive meetings were held, with an average attendance of 29.Meetings are now held at the West Pavilion, Hamilton Health Association on the second Thursday of each month at 8.15 p.m. from October to May.
Our Branch was hosted by Barrie at a successful workshop at which two of our members demonstrated. The Frontier Leathercraft Guild of Buffalo was host to Eastern Leathercraft Guild of Rochester as well as to our Branch at an "Open House" at the Porter Library in Buffalo, with Alvin Haig doing one of the demonstrations.
A wide scope in the field of leathercraft was covered with demonstrations in "Making and assembling of Gussets";"Plug Tooling"; "Spirit Dyeing"; and "Skiving and Turning of Corners".Two workshops on Change Purses and Making Patterns for small Projects. A very successful Christmas party was held and two displays of members' work. A successful sale was held in November by the Hamilton Handicraft Guild. Several members attended the International Assembly at Rochester, and Clarence Redman was awarded a Salon ribbon there.
Page 6
Members assisted with the Annual Christmas Sale in the Handicrafts Guild Shop at 77 Bloor Street West in Toronto, and displays were arranged at the Annual Meeting at WoodGreen Centre and at the International Assembly in Rochester.
The Treasurer reported a bank balance of $212.15. 1964-65 Executive
| President | Mrs. Harold Wilson |
| Vice-President | Mr. Alvin Haig |
| Secretary | Mrs. George Beech |
| Treasurer | Mrs. Jessie Strain |
LONDON: Our Branch held six regular meetings during the year with an average of five members present. The majority of meetings were held in members' homes. At the beginning of the season business was discussed and future meetings planned.
Meetings were interesting and diverse; a demonstration by Eleanor Pearson on how to make a writing case; Slides of the Annual Meeting and International Assembly shown by Sylvia Gerster;two films shown by Helen Wheaton on leather carving and leather dye technique; demonstration by Helen using Mac's dyes on horse heads; making lapel pins for our Branch, instruction by Marion Kehoe. Also at this meeting we had as our guest Mrs. Wunsch of Austria who showed us some of her interesting work.
Four of our members were instructing over the winter season. Helen Wheaton in Mitchel with the Community Centre, also a class at the Y.M.C.A.; Marion Kehoe at Dorchester Community Centre; Eleanore Pearson at the Y.M.C.A. and Sylvia Gerster instructing at the Y.W.C.A.
1964-65 Executive
| President | Mrs. Helen Wheaton |
| Vice-President | Mrs. Marion Kehoe |
| secretary | Mrs. Sylvia Gerster |
| Treasurer | Mrs. Hilda Schram |
TORONTO: Monthly meetings of the Toronto Branch have been held regularly on the last Friday of each month at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Roebuck and Mr. G. Brigden. The average attendance for each meeting was 10 from a total membership of 13.
The business meetings were followed by very interesting and valuable demonstrations conducted by Mr. Fred Brown on skiving methods; Viola Harris on the use of small pieces of leather; Clarice Packham in the making of glove patterns; Mr. Oscar Biderman on the art of making your own patterns for handbags and Lillian Neelands in re making of tote bags.
1964-65 Executive
| President - | Mrs. J. Newton |
| Vice-President - | Miss D. Proctor |
| Secretary - | Mrs. T. Terry |
| Treasurer - | Mr. C. Roebuck |
Page 7 — A DIFFERENT BELT FASTENING; COMING EVENTS
A DIFFERENT BELT FASTENING by Nora Huyck, F.C.S.C.L.
This belt fastening was devised to avoid the use of a regular belt buckle and still allow some adjustment in size.
It is very simple. Three dome caps are installed on one end of the belt about 1/2" apart - fig. A. The bottom part of one dome only is installed on the other end of the belt - fig. B. The three dome caps allow an adjustment of 1/2" to 1" in the length of the belt.
When the belt is fastened, the dome caps are covered with a leather slide - fig. C. This slide is like a wide belt keeper, about 14" wide instead of the usual 3/8 of an inch.
To prevent the loss of the slide when the belt is not worn,it could be attached with a piece of lacing to one end of the belt. When the belt is domed and the slide in place, it appears as in fig. D.
COMING EVENTS
Hockley Valley School: Summer courses start June 19th. Four new subjects have been added in 1964. You may come for one, two, three, or four weeks, either with your family or by yourself. Children are very welcome if their parents come too. There are no examinations to restrict subject matter, and no prerequisites to decide who may or may not come. For your copy of the Calendar which describes the programme in detail write to Mr. John Sime, Director, Hockley Valley School, Glen Cross, Ont., Canada. Canadian Handicraft Guild, C.N.E.: Entries for this competition in the Women's Building at the Canadian National Exhibition will be accepted July 25 - August l. Canadian Pacific Exhibition: A display for competition is being sent to the P.N.E., and some individual members are sending articles also.
Canadian National Exhibition: The "Ex" is being held August 21st to September 7th. For information on the competitions write to the CNE Women's Division and ask for their bulletin on the CNE competitions.
Christmas Sale: We hope to have the Sale in November again this year, exact date to be announced later. Members are urged to uphold our ever-increasing status by producing saleable articles of the highest standard. Items for men are always in great demand so a good supply would be welcomed.
Page 8 — REPORT ON LEATHERCRAFT AT WESTERN FAIR, LONDON, ONTARIO 1963
REPORT ON LEATHERCRAFT AT WESTERN FAIR, LONDON, ONTARIO
1963
Section 97 - Gloves, Leather, hand sewn.
1st Mrs. Carl Gerster, 675 Emery Street, London
Sec. 98 - Handbag, original Canadian design, tooled.
1st Mr. C.L. Heywood, 714 Lorne Avenue, London
2nd Miss Gladys Stacey, 441 Piccadilly Street, London
Sec. 99 - Handbag, original Canadian design, carved.
1st Mr. C.L. Heywood, 714 Lorne Avenue, London
2nd Mrs. D.V. Carroll, 185 Gammage Street London
Sec. 100 - Handbag, commercial design, tooled.
1st Mr. C.L. Heywood, 714 Lorne Avenue, London
Sec. 101 - Handbag, commercial design, carved.
1st Mr. C.L. Heywood, 715 Lorne Avenue, London
2nd Mrs. D.V. Carroll, 185 Gammage Street, London
3rd V. C. Jewiss, 2 Biddell Avenue, Chatham
Sec. 102 - Belt, tooled or stamped.
1st Mr. C.L. Heywood, 714 Lorne Avenue, London
2nd Mrs. Carl Gerster, 675 Emery Street, London
3rd Mrs. D.V. Carroll, 185 Gammage Street, London
Sec. 103 - Belt, carved.
1st Mr. C.L. Heywood, 714 Lorne Avenue, London
2nd Mrs. D.V. Carroll, 185 Gammage Street, London
3rd Nathaniel H. Grigg, 206 So. 38th Street, San Diego, California
Sec. 104 - Miscellaneous small articles in leather.
1st Mr. C.L. Heywood, 714 Lorne Avenue, London
2nd Mrs. D.V. Carroll, 185 Gammage Street, London
3rd Mrs. Carl Gerster, 675 Emery Street, London
Sec. 105 - Miscellaneous large articles in leather.
1st Mrs. Carl Gerster, 675 Emery Street, London
2nd Mrs. J.E. Sanderson, 20 Sycamore Street, London
3rd Mrs. D.V. Carroll, 185 Gammage Street, London
As you will notice the first four classes above did not receive enough entries to award all the possible prize money. We missed your entries. Hope to see you in 1964.
Helen Wheaton,
Supervisor of Handcraft Dept.,
Western Fair,
London, Ontario.
[Set out in the order the page prints, class by class with its placings beneath it. Four readings are corrected against the paper: the year under the heading is 1963, not 1263; Mr. Heywood's street is Lorne Avenue throughout, not Lorre or Horne; the third prize in Section 101 is V. C. Jewiss, 2 Biddell Avenue, Chatham, not V.C. Jewish of Riddell Avenue; and Section 102 is headed Sec., not See. One inconsistency is the Society's own and is left standing: Section 101 gives Mr. Heywood's address as 715 Lorne Avenue where the other six entries give 714.]