How long did it take you to become a pro at Leatherworking?

[piranha]

I recently started leathercrafting and I quickly realized it is a lot more challenging than it looks. lol
I thought I could finish a simple wallet in a day but it ended up taking me a full week and the final product is still pretty lopsided.
But there is something so satisfying about the process of cutting the hide and pulling each stitch through the holes by hand.
Even when I mess up the dyeing or misalign a seam it just gives the piece a bit more character.
I am really enjoying the tactile feel of the material and I cannot wait to improve my skills enough to make a bag or a belt I can actually wear out.
It is a slow hobby that requires a lot of patience but seeing a flat sheet of leather turn into a 3D object is worth the effort.

So, how long did it take you to become a pro?

 

[beachboyM4x]

I needed months for basic skills (wallets/belts), and my friend needed years for mastery (jackets/complex bags), you need constant practice, with many stories highlighting a path from hobby to business after learning core techniques

 

[purple bean]

+1 @beachboyM4x

It takes months before your cuts look neat and your stitching lines up easily and years before your work feels polished. If you keep practicing straight cuts, spacing and patient stitching. Your speed and accuracy will improve.