An issue of the Society’s newsletter, transcribed from the original.
(4 pages, 1.2 MB)
the full-resolution scan, 17 MB, for close research
Page 1 — A REWARDING AND CONSTRUCTIVE DAY SPENT WITH A MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY FRIEND
Canadian Leathercraft
Volume XVI No. 1 Fall, 1966
A REWARDING AND CONSTRUCTIVE DAY
SPENT WITH A MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY FRIEND
As one of our Y.W.C.A. members was moving to New Brunswick in September, wished more instruction on glove making and leather work in general before leaving, we set a day on the last week of August. Ruth lived about 16 miles northwest of London and I arrived there at 9 a.m.
Ruth lives in a wheelchair, has one son 16 years and does all her own work and cooking. She had her morning work done and was waiting for me. Previously, she had taken a course in glove making and leather tooling.
Ruth had made a tooled leather clutch purse and the turnlock was gone so that was the first thing we started on. She thought the whole front would have to be unlaced, but I assured her we could fix it without doing that, by just making a cross-cut -+ at the back of the lock, take out the old plate, insert the new clasp and plate, glue the cut lining back down. Cut a piece of lining about i" larger than the repair cut. Skive the edges of this patch, sandpaper spot on bag to be covered and when patch glued in place, it is hardly noticeable.
The only tools Ruth had was a modeler and glover's needles, so I took all the tools that were necessary such as knives, punches, awls, saddle stitching needles, polish coat, glue, dyes, pin and earring backs, scrap leather, odd pieces of lacing of different colors, a set of sunflower pin and earrings, "leather pre-cut" leather for two key posts, top and lining leather, darex, padding, metal forms for a pair of bookends and a pair of turned-edge bookends. One bookend was finished, the other ready to be assembled. The bookend kit had been purchased by Ruth.
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 is Mrs. Gerry Mills, 1739 Jane St., Weston, Ontario.
Authorized as Second-Class Mail by the Post Office Department,
Ottawa, and for payment of postage in cash.
Page 2
When the purse was finished, Ruth started a flower brooch. She skived edges, divided the two large rounds into sections, cut petals, cut ends in points, used my swivel knife to make the cuts on the petals, also made the cuts on the button centre. Ruth cut the round for the stamens, made the buttonform and pinched the ends of petals. Golden tan antique was applied to the back petals and centre leaving the rest of the pieces natural. She applied the polish coat in fact finished the pin including the pin back. Ruth was delighted as she had never made one before and it couldn't have been nicer.
The next article she made was the key posts, which were very simple - one a fold-over type and the other with a dome as I wanted to show her how to use the dome setter. She used the bone folder on the edges which was something new for her too. Then I skived two pieces of leather and glued together, used the #5 edge creaser to mark edge, used the gouge and #7 spacer for stitches, punched the holes with a diamond point awl, then Ruth started on the saddle stitching. I let her practice on the stitching then showed her how to finish it off.
We took time off for lunch and were back at work by one o'clock. I showed Ruth how to assemble the turned-edge bookend but being my first pair, I may not have done the best. Then I gave her instruction on how to skive and assemble her own bookends which she wanted to do later on so I left some patterns for her to choose from.
As Ruth had forgotten how to start and finish off the lacing, it was our next project. I also wanted to show her the simple cordovan lacing as it might be a little easier for her to do. Using the different colors of lacing it made it easier for her to figure out for future use. These samples and saddle stitching I left for her, as it is so easy to forget.
She also wanted to brush up on her glove instruction, so I brought a set of instructions with me and we went over them very carefully and anything she wasn't sure of we made extra notes as she had three deerskins that a friend had given her. She has' several friends that wanted her to make gloves for them.
Ruth was interested in making her son a pair of chaps, but this I couldn't advise her as I had never made any, but I took her a picture of a pair and discussed the different leathers that could be used.
We were all done by four o'clock and I felt it a day well spent. She certainly has ambition-plus and never a word of complaint.
I received a letter from her in January of this pear and she had made the bookends and given them to her son for Christmas. She also planned to start on a pair of gloves for her husband.
Sylvia Gerster
Page 3 — C.S.C.L. ANNUAL MEETING; INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY; EXPO '67 and CRAFTSMEN
C.S.C.L. ANNUAL MEETING
Everyone will have received their letters from Barrie re this annual meeting to be held on Saturday, April 8 and this is just a reminder to make sure you don't miss it!
The displays are always worthy of a close inspection and the appraisals of the awards give the younger craftsmen many new ideas. Carving, tipping and dying, saddle stitching are only a few of the demonstrations that will be given so the afternoon promises to be as rewarding as the morning session.
It is hoped that all members are giving serious though about presenting their leathercraft problems in the Question box. Don't be afraid to ask, there is no better time to get some advise from one of the experts - for free!
Don't forget, it's at the Central United Church at the corner of Ross and Toronto Streets, Barrie.
INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The International Assembly will be held this year at Toronto's Park Plaza Hotel, Avenue Road and Bloor Street, on May 7, 8, and 9, With this being Canada's Centennial year, the C.S.C.L., as host, is endeavoring to make it a year well worth remembering in the progress of all leathercrafters.
Workshops will be the basic part of the program as well as the usual demonstrations. Two workshops are planned for Saturday and one for Sunday morning. A flyer will be sent out shortly with more information and according to the information received to date, the committees have an exceptional itinerary lined up.
The banquet and general meeting will be held on Saturday evening with entertainment being provided by "Les Ceineures Flechees", a popular French Canadian Glee Club from Toronto.
Have you returned your International Assembly questionaire to Fred Brown? If not, it would be appreciated to get it in the mail immediately.
EXPO '67 and CRAFTSMEN
Canada will celebrate it's centennial year by a World Fair, EXPO, '67, at which it is expected that much international craft work will be shown in the exhibits of the 80 countries which will have buildings.
Page 4 — ONTARIO CRAFT FOUNDATION
Canadian craft work will be shown in four national exhibitions: (1) a comprehensive exhibition of Canadian crafts already assembled by the National Gallery at Ottawa by Miss Nora McCullough and juried by ceramists Daniel Rhodes of Alfred College, N.Y., which will travel to eleven cities across Canada. (2) An exhibit of the Canadian Handicraft Guild, to be shown at their shop on Peel Street, Montreal, one of the jurors for which will be Mr. Paul Smith of the Museum of Contemporary Crafts, New York. (3) "Perspective '67, "a competition for artists, including artist craftsmen between 18 and 35, sponsored by the Centennial Visual Arts Commission of the Government of Canada with prizes up to $5,000. (4) A collection of craft work is also being assembled for showing at EXPO '67 in Montreal at the request of the EXPO management.
from World Crafts Newsletter
ONTARIO CRAFT FOUNDATION
Many interesting craft developments are taking place in Canada, one of the most recent of which is the formation of the Ontario Craft Foundation, which has received a grant from the Ministry of Education to implement the following program: (1) The development of a two and four year full time training program to commence during September 1967; a six week summer course in 1967 to upgrade existing craftsmen; and the appointment of one or more curriculum consultants to plan the courses of study; (2) A comprehensive survey of the craft market to determine the best method of marketing Ontario crafts through existing retailers in Ontario and other countries; (3) The acquisition of a suitable centrally located property to be used as the Ontario Craft Training Centre; (4) A survey of Ontario fabricating industries to determine how many designer-craftsmen could be employed in the five year period (5) A membership brochure to be published showing services of the Foundation and membership available.
from World Crafts Newsletter
As Dennis the Menace said to his friend Joey while viewing Mr. Mitchell's pipe collection, "He collects 'em for a hobby. When ya waste money an' don't feel bad about it, that's called a hobby."
[The sheet carries small marks in its right margin. The words are the page’s own.]