{"id":971,"date":"2019-09-30T08:00:06","date_gmt":"2019-09-30T12:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/?p=971"},"modified":"2023-02-03T13:15:19","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T18:15:19","slug":"art-working-leather","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/hobby\/art-working-leather\/","title":{"rendered":"The Art of Working With Leather"},"content":{"rendered":"

Few people start a business in their retirement, but that\u2019s exactly what Sailrite\u00ae customer Varoujean Tilbian did. After a lifelong career in photography, graphic design and digital printing, he turned his creative eye toward leatherwork as a way to remember his father, a lifelong leather craftsman. In his retirement he\u2019s busier than ever sewing handmade leather goods, running his own small business, and passing his family\u2019s leather legacy onto his grandson. This is a story of family, fortitude and the power of perseverance.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Family History of Leather Crafting<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

The art of leatherworking is ancient and storied. For Varoujean, leather\u2019s significance is woven throughout his family history and played an important role in his upbringing. \u201cI grew up under my father\u2019s tutelage. From the age of 4 until I was 16, every day after school I went to his shop where he taught me everything I now know about leatherwork. Over time, I observed his dexterity and skill, but it never occurred to me that, someday, I would put those skills to use.\u201d Originally from Armenia, both Varoujean\u2019s father and grandfather had leather crafting businesses. His grandfather had a small shoemaking shop in Western Armenia, which is today known as Turkey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Varoujean
Varoujean Tilbian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Varoujean\u2019s father, Avedis, eventually settled in Ethiopia where the family experienced both highs and lows but persevered through it all. At 27, Varoujean\u2019s father started making leather shoes and established his own factory where he manufactured handmade shoes for men and women. When the Italian fascist regime infiltrated Ethiopia, the family fled to Somaliland. Once it was safe to return, Avedis opened a leather shoemaking factory where he specialized in high-end women\u2019s footwear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When Varoujean was 10, his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. To cover the medical expenses, Avedis sold his business and all his assets. His wife recovered, but the family was completely bankrupt. Not one to give up, Avedis went to a flea market and bought an old, dilapidated English riding saddle. \u201cHe took it apart to study how it was made,\u201d Varoujean recalled. \u201cSince it did not require machinery and a big investment, he started making saddles and anything else you can imagine with leather.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Varoujean chose a different career path than his father and grandfather, he remained a hardworking provider for his family. He got into photography at a young age thanks to his love of nature and animals. In Ethiopia, he worked for a printing company in the photo reproduction department to support his parents. Varoujean says his father was not upset that he didn\u2019t follow in his footsteps. \u201cMy father and mother were the kind of people that let us choose our own path. My father always said, \u2018Learn a skill or a craft. You will never be rich, but you will never be hungry.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Leather
Purses, wallets and other leather goods, and a look at Varoujean’s workshop.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Continuing a Legacy<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Leather crafting is more than a hobby or a way to keep busy post-retirement. For Varoujean, working with leather is the bridge that connects him to his father and his childhood. In fact, it seems as if he was always destined to be a leather crafter \u2014 like it was stitched into his DNA. \u201cAs I work with leather in my workshop, I feel as if my father is next to me, watching my work and smiling. There are times when I am cutting leather, I look at my hands and fingers and realize they look just like his hands. After all these years, I am delighted to be reconnected with him at this age and period of my life\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

His first leather project was to recreate a decades-old gun holster. His father-in-law was a naval aircraft carrier pilot during World War II, flying 28 missions in the Pacific theater. During his missions, he carried a military-issued 38 special pistol with a fitted gun holster. \u201cOn his 94th birthday, my wife and I went to celebrate with him. It was on this occasion that I found out how worn-out his beautiful gun holster had become. As I began to work on the holster, I was astonished how \u2014 after six decades \u2014 I remembered how to work with leather. I remembered the many meaningful hours I spent with my father in his shop.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"leather
The new gun holster that Varoujean made for his father-in-law’s WWII pistol.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Search for the Perfect Sewing Machine<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

To sew beautiful leather goods with care and precision, Varoujean knew he would need a sewing machine that was up to the challenge. On a leatherworker\u2019s online forum, he received advice from other leatherworkers who emphasized the need for a walking foot sewing machine. While on the hunt for the right one, he found the Sailrite website. \u201cWith the help of your videos and blogs, I was convinced that the Fabricator\u00ae was the right machine. Added to its great functionality, the price was perfect and less than other comparable ones.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"fabricator\"
Varoujean’s Fabricator set up in his leather workshop and ready for some sewing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

His Fabricator Sewing Machine has helped him reinforce the quality and beauty of his handmade leather goods. He uses the machine to sew everything from wallets and belts to tote bags, holsters and more. When asked what he enjoys most about working with leather, he had this to say: \u201cWhat I love best is that from just a flat hide I create something of beauty, and that gives me great joy.\u201d Varoujean has started teaching his grandson the art of leatherworking. He also goes to local elementary schools to introduce the students to the time-honored trade.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Over a year and a half later, he\u2019s still happy with his choice of sewing machine. \u201cThe Fabricator is an amazing machine. At first, when I had some issues, the calls I made were very helpful, which proved you stand behind your machine with service.\u201d Recently, Varoujean started offering customizable tote bags where shoppers can select their own Sunbrella\u00ae fabric, purchased from Sailrite, and then choose their leather trim color and number of pockets.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"sunbrella
A selection of custom Sunbrella tote bags with leather trim.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0<\/span>After three years on this path, he\u2019s still enjoying his new pursuit and the memories it brings him. Varoujean named his business after his father as a way of honoring him and thanking him for teaching his young son the art of leather crafting. \u201cAvedis means \u2018Good News\u2019 in Armenian,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt\u2019s a name traditionally given to boys born on January 6, the day the Three Kings traveled to witness the birth of Jesus and receive the \u2018good news.\u2019\u201d Varoujean will always carry a part of his father with him, whether through the leather he works with, the name of his business, or in the blood that runs through his veins. Remembering the past, finding solace and gratitude in the teachings of our fathers \u2014 that is good news, indeed.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Who We Are<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

Sailrite is your one-stop DIY shop! We are a passionate crew of do-it-yourselfers who strive to equip you with the supplies and how-to knowledge you need to tackle your next project. Do you want to learn upholstery, leatherwork, canvaswork, hobby sewing, bag making or more? We have the fabric, tools, hardware, sewing machines and notions you need to master any DIY. And even if you’ve never sewn before, our tutorials and how-to videos are designed for beginners and experienced crafters alike.<\/span><\/p>\n

Start your DIY journey today: www.sailrite.com<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Few people start a business in their retirement, but that\u2019s exactly what Sailrite\u00ae customer Varoujean Tilbian did. After a lifelong career in photography, graphic design and digital printing, he turned his creative eye toward leatherwork as a way to remember his father, a lifelong leather craftsman. In his retirement he\u2019s busier than ever sewing handmade … Continue reading The Art of Working With Leather<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":984,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[13,60],"tags":[16,38,15,42,54,55,17],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/leather-goods.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/padSoq-fF","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2527,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/leather\/searching-for-a-leather-sewing-machine\/","url_meta":{"origin":971,"position":0},"title":"Searching for a Leather Sewing Machine","date":"August 8, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Bill Mowbray is an accomplished leatherworker. For over 40 years, he\u2019s been handcrafting bespoke leather goods. He\u2019s made everything from wide-brim hats and women\u2019s bags to shoes, belts, holsters and more. Bill was hand sewing all of his leather goods but came to the realization a few years ago that,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Leather"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Collage-Maker-08-Aug-2022-08.58-AM.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2363,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/leather\/upholstery-leatherwork-sewing-machine\/","url_meta":{"origin":971,"position":1},"title":"A Thoughtful Hobby: Leatherworking With Willie Sandry","date":"February 10, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"When you find a way to combine your two favorite hobbies into one handcrafted piece of art, that's the mark of a true craftsman. And that's exactly what Willie Sandry did. Willie's journey into leatherworking actually started with woodworking. Willie has been building wood furniture pieces for years. When his\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Home"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/pjimage-3.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2863,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/leather\/career-setback-to-leather-diy-success\/","url_meta":{"origin":971,"position":2},"title":"Lessons in Leather: Turning a Career Setback Into DIY Success","date":"July 31, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"After losing his job during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris Ferrie decided to improve his leather crafting skills and start his own business.","rel":"","context":"In "Leather"","img":{"alt_text":"A leather backpack.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Backpack-1-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2012,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/hobby\/leather-crafting-fabricator\/","url_meta":{"origin":971,"position":3},"title":"Leather Crafting With the Fabricator\u00ae","date":"April 2, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"This is a story of changing circumstances, making the best of a bad situation, and venturing out in a new direction. 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Her pursuit of creative expression eventually led her to Sailrite\u00ae and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hobby"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Screen-Shot-2020-04-21-at-8.24.46-AM.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1814,"url":"https:\/\/blog.sailrite.com\/meet-our-customers\/hobby\/one-stitch-at-a-time\/","url_meta":{"origin":971,"position":5},"title":"One Stitch at a Time","date":"November 2, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"In recent years, the market for handcrafted projects has skyrocketed and so has the support for the crafter community. Because we\u2019re a small business as well as a one-stop shop for all things sewing, we know this community well. 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