String Art on Leather

String Art is a creative and decorative art form that involves creating designs, figures or geometric patterns using colored threads (often cotton, wool or string) stretched between a series of nails or anchor points fixed to a rigid surface, such as wood or cardboard. This technique, also known as the art of stretched threads, combines craftsmanship and design to create works with a unique and modern style.

The origins of the technique date back to the 19th century, when the English mathematician Mary Everest Boole, determined to rebel against the idea that girls had no right to receive an education, formed completely female classes and invented a manual technique that allowed her students to visualize geometric shapes by exercising their imagination and playing with colors. Between 1960 and 1980, thanks to the flourishing of dedicated publications, the technique became very popular and transformed into a hobby aimed at releasing stress or creating decorations for the home... or maybe both, especially since it is also an activity suitable for children. More recently, String Art has found new vigor thanks to the encounter with the Mandala, that is, a drawing that represents the place in which the meditator contemplates the deities who have taken up residence there after his invocation (at least according to the Austrian Indologist Gudrun Bühnemann ).

Therefore, at present, String Art:

• is anti-stress
• is perfect as a creative activity to teach the basics of geometry to children as well as to invite them to experiment with colors and fabrics
• combines spirituality and mathematics
• allows you to decorate your home with little (you can create paintings, wall panels, even signs) or to create original and personalized gifts for special occasions
• it is economical: all you need is a handful of nails, a piece of wood, a hammer and sewing thread
• it is simple to learn, although allows you to create true and own works of art

That's a lot. But how does it work?

String Art is based on a simple but effective principle: combining straight lines stretched between specific points to create curves or intricate patterns. Usually you use a wooden, MDF or cardboard base, transfer a pattern to it and place small nails or pins around the perimeter of the pattern (or even inside, if the pattern requires it). By wrapping sewing thread or wool around the nails you can follow simple patterns (for example, contouring a shape) or more complex ones, overlapping the threads in different directions to create three-dimensional effects or shades. The important thing is that the nails are equidistant for a uniform result.

Now imagine what can come from the union of a beautiful and durable material like leather with a surprising technique like String Art. In fact, you don't have to imagine it: we have reinvented one of our most popular accessories, the belt asymmetric underbust, so that it combined the clean and minimalist style of the woven threads with the timeless elegance of the leather. Thanks to a geometric figure in black and white waxed thread we achieved a sense of movement on the central band, accentuated by the soft fringe closure. We had already experimented with colors and steampunk patterns on leather, but in this case the result is more versatile, thanks to the use of black and white.

 

 

You can try it too!

All you need to do is get:

• waxed thread in the color you prefer - normal sewing thread is not as strong, which is a problem especially if you intend to create something wearable
• needles specifically designed for leather
• leather with a minimum thickness of 1 centimeter
• an awl
• a punch

As for patterns, you can create a design yourself or you can easily find it on the internet, for example on Pinterest. Better to start with simple patterns, for example stylized shapes such as hearts or flowers, or short words. Place the drawing on the leather and mark the position of the holes with an awl following their profile, making sure they are equidistant. Set the design aside and use the die cutter to punch holes in the leather at the grooves.

All you have to do is choose the logical method with which to connect the holes to each other using the thread and how many colors to use for the result you want to obtain. Here you will find a tutorial that explains the technique in detail.

Conclusion

String Art is a simple but fascinating art that combines craftsmanship and design, perfect for expressing one's creativity. Thanks to its versatility and infinite customization possibilities, it is an artistic form loved by those who want to create unique and meaningful decorations. Try it to believe it!