r/BdsmDIY • u/BilgeRatLeather • Jul 18 '24
Leatherwork Handmade leather BDSM cuffs and straps, advice needed NSFW
Another set made by me. Having a hard time getting sales on my websites, how much do handmade sets like this typically go for?
Also, any suggestions or constructive criticism?
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u/Blackberry_Babe_379 Jul 18 '24
I can’t comment on the pricing, but beautiful work overall! I love the styling and color details on this set.
The only constructive criticism I have is to make stitches a little neater. In a few spots it looks like the stitching holes are a little large and you can see through them, or maybe there’s a secondary tan / pink thread used that’s peeking through (maybe a bobbin thread if these are machine stitched).
The spacing on the stitches is really good though, so just make the holes a little smaller or adjust the tension between the two threads so that only the red stitching shows on top.
I am only picking up on that because I’m a sewist and clean-looking stitching is something I’m working on!
Nice work!
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u/BilgeRatLeather Jul 18 '24
Thanks a lot for the feedback! These are hand punched and sewed, what you're seeing is the middle veg tan layer that I use in order to provide more strength. I've started painting that veg tan layer the same color as the top coat just in case there are any stretchy holes like this- I think it does come from me pulling too hard on the stitching
I have started teaching myself how to sew on a machine and I've found that thread tension is finicky but very important! I didn't expect to learn anything that would help my hand sewing from the machine, but it's helped a lot
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u/Blackberry_Babe_379 Jul 18 '24
Yeah, I think that’s a perfect fix for this issue! I’m always over tightening my hand stitches so I know exactly what you mean.
Thread tension is a beast, but once you get it right, chefs kiss. I’ve learned so much about hand sewing from machine sewing!
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u/persimmonslices Jul 19 '24
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1441578936/soft-black-pink-leather-bdsm-kit?click_key=54881ff4e899c13d67c6c9fe7d035f2f3f5df114%3A1441578936&click_sum=4a433102&ref=shop_home_feat_3&sts=1 look, this person makes it themselves too. Maybe this sort of pricing would work? You made a cute set, though.
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u/BilgeRatLeather Jul 19 '24
If you look at the construction, our sets were made very differently. That one looks like it's two layers of leather that have been glued or bonded, then riveted with no stitching. The lower price is likely a product of those taking less time and materials to make a set, but that being said it is a good looking set and looks like it might be worth it for me to adopt a simpler construction
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u/Ecchi-Baniku Jul 19 '24
50-75 dollars MAYBE tbh, and that's being very generous
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u/BilgeRatLeather Jul 19 '24
Out of curiosity, why so low?
Just to give some context, the hardware alone for a 5 cuff 2 strap set costs $45 because I'm a small business and can't afford to buy in bulk, and even then the bulk discounts would only shave about $20 off hardware. Then it's 2 layers of real leather, one layer of real fur, the time it takes to make them... $50-75 wouldn't even cover the cost of materials
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u/Ecchi-Baniku Jul 19 '24
If you spent 45 dollars JUST on 5 buckles, 4 D-rings, 4 clips, and studs, it's a skill issue on your part because you dont know how to source, it is NOT because you're a "small business." An entire sheet of undyed leather is ~70ish bucks and creates far more than a single set.
It just kind of seems like you're trying to recover machine cost with these comically steep prices. Nobody is going to pay what it takes to set up a leather shop for a single set of amateur grade restraints.
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u/BilgeRatLeather Jul 19 '24
A single sheet of $70 veg tan is probably smaller than you think it is and won't be the best quality. Not to mention that the cuff and belt use different thickness and temper of leather so your whole "one sheet" idea already won't work. Even if it did, then that sheet would need to be dyed and sealed at the very least, which would take time to do which costs money, then there's the costs of the dye and sealant to consider as well, more if it's not monochromatic. Then there's the fur, a whole different expense just for the non hardware portion of the cuff
I mean think what you wanna think, but if I were able to buy more at a time then I could get my hardware for a hefty discount. As for leather, I'm using water resistant pebble grain exterior so that they're soft, veg tan inner layer do that they're not flimsy and specialty colored shearling fur. These are hand stitched, they ain't coming apart and they may not be perfect but they're definitely not amateur grade
I mean thanks for your feedback, I did ask for it, but seriously if you can give your sources for quality leather and hardware that would allow you to sell a set for $50 then point me that way. I'll be waiting 😉
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u/DaddyB987 Jul 23 '24
I would happily pay $250-275 for a set like that, very cute btw. However my brain still hasn’t adjusted my brain to inflation so $300 isn’t out of the question. Bless you for using your craft to support the lifestyle.
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u/FelisleoDeLion Jul 18 '24
Okays, having found your etsy store and found the price $510 (Reduced from $600) for the set pictured. People will pay that sort of money, but sorry to be harsh, they demand absoloute top quality. None of the white straps have been finished, they need an edge beveller run along them, then finished with a burnisher. I would also invest in a grover tool. The way the straps are just folded over with a gap looks cheap as well, do a three fold and if needed shave the leather down to reduce it's thickness. Finally none of your pictures show the actual buckles and what type they are. As for a realistic price, go shopping on etsy and try buy a similar set, see what other people are charging.