THE CRAFT

THE CRAFT

Handmade for those who wait

Handmade
for those who wait

Close-up of a craftsman hand-stitching a leather wallet, Crosstitch Leather

The craft

Crosstitch Leather craftsman hand-stitching a wallet in workshop
Crosstitch Leather craftsman hand-stitching a wallet in workshop
Crosstitch Leather craftsman hand-stitching a wallet in workshop

The Maker’s Mark: Why I Do What I Do.

For me, leatherwork is more than a skill. It’s a form of meditation. My name is Ziad, and Crosstitch Leather began as a quiet pursuit in my room, a place where I could slow down in a fast-moving world. Every cut, every stitch, every finished edge is a reminder that patience creates things worth holding on to.

I don’t see this as just crafting wallets or bags. I see it as building pieces that carry stories: mine in making them, and yours in using them. Each item is made to last, to grow with you, and to age as beautifully as life itself.

The Maker’s Mark: Why I Do What I Do.

For me, leatherwork is more than a skill. It’s a form of meditation. My name is Ziad, and Crosstitch Leather began as a quiet pursuit in my room, a place where I could slow down in a fast-moving world. Every cut, every stitch, every finished edge is a reminder that patience creates things worth holding on to.

I don’t see this as just crafting wallets or bags. I see it as building pieces that carry stories: mine in making them, and yours in using them. Each item is made to last, to grow with you, and to age as beautifully as life itself.

From Raw Hide to Heirloom: The Process

Handmade for those who wait” is more than a slogan. It is a promise. Every Crosstitch Leather piece passes through a slow, deliberate process:

From Raw Hide to Heirloom: The Process

Handmade for those who wait” is more than a slogan. It is a promise. Every Crosstitch Leather piece passes through a slow, deliberate process:

Digital trifold leather wallet design layout in Adobe Illustrator with card slots and measurements

The Sketch

It begins with a simple idea, drawn to balance function and form.

Hand cutting brown leather with precision knife on green cutting mat – leather crafting process

The Cut

Every pattern is hand-cut, no shortcuts, no machines deciding where the blade falls.

Close-up of leather wallet being hand stitched with waxed thread – traditional leatherworking

The Stitch

Using the time-honored saddle stitch, each thread is pulled through by hand, stronger and longer-lasting than any machine stitch.

Hand burnishing leather edge with wooden tool in workshop

The Finish

Finally, the edges are burnished smooth, polished to a quiet shine that speaks of care.

This is the craft I bring to every piece.

This is the craft I bring to every piece.

More Than a Material: Our Choice of Leather

The soul of every Crosstitch piece is the leather itself. Not all leather is the same, and that is why I choose only full-grain, vegetable-tanned hides.

More Than a Material: Our Choice of Leather

The soul of every Crosstitch piece is the leather itself. Not all leather is the same, and that is why I choose only full-grain, vegetable-tanned hides.

Full-Grain Strength: Unlike top-grain or corrected leathers, full-grain keeps its natural surface, making it the strongest and most durable form of leather.

Vegetable-Tanned: Treated naturally with plant-based tannins, this process takes weeks, not days. It is better for the environment and allows the leather to develop character with time.

The Patina: Perhaps the most beautiful part. This leather ages with you. Every mark, every fade, becomes part of your story, turning your piece into something truly one of a kind.

Leathers & Colors

Below is a snapshot of the leathers and colors currently available in the workshop:

Leathers & Colors

Below is a snapshot of the leathers and colors currently available in the workshop:

Badalassi Carlo – Pueblo
Soft matte leather with a slightly waxy surface. Known for strong pull-up and a patina that develops naturally with use.

Badalassi Carlo – Pueblo
Soft matte leather with a slightly waxy surface. Known for strong pull-up and a patina that develops naturally with use.

Hand cutting brown leather with precision knife on green cutting mat – leather crafting process

Aqua

Hand cutting brown leather with precision knife on green cutting mat – leather crafting process

Bordeaux

Close-up of leather wallet being hand stitched with waxed thread – traditional leatherworking

Tobacco

Hand burnishing leather edge with wooden tool in workshop

Sapphire

Walpier Conceria – Buttero
Firm, smooth vegetable-tanned leather with a clean surface and excellent structure. Ideal for wallets that hold their shape.

Optional surface: Hatch finish. Same leather with a subtle cross-grain texture.

Walpier Conceria – Buttero
Firm, smooth vegetable-tanned leather with a clean surface and excellent structure. Ideal for wallets that hold their shape.

Optional surface: Hatch finish. Same leather with a subtle cross-grain texture.

Olive Buttero

Black

Blue Buttero

Blue

Whiskey Buttero

Whiskey

Chocolate Buttero

Chocolate

Olive Buttero

Chestnut

Olive Buttero

Black (Hatch)

Black - Hatch

Olive Buttero

Blue (Hatch)

Blue - Hatch

Badalassi Carlo – Waxy
Waxy finished leather with rich depth and visible character. Shows marks and wear early, then settles into a deep, even patina.

Badalassi Carlo – Waxy
Waxy finished leather with rich depth and visible character. Shows marks and wear early, then settles into a deep, even patina.

Olive Buttero

Cognac

Badalassi Carlo – Minerva
Soft vegetable-tanned leather with a natural, open grain. More flexible than Pueblo or Buttero.

Badalassi Carlo – Minerva
Soft vegetable-tanned leather with a natural, open grain. More flexible than Pueblo or Buttero.

Olive Buttero

Black

Olive Buttero

Olmo

Olive Buttero

SaPphire

Availability Notes
Leather availability changes as hides are used and restocked.
If a specific leather or color matters to your order, confirm availability before production begins.

Natural markings and slight color variation are part of the material and not considered defects.

Availability Notes
Leather availability changes as hides are used and restocked.
If a specific leather or color matters to your order, confirm availability before production begins.

Natural markings and slight color variation are part of the material and not considered defects.

Vegetable-Tanned vs. Vegan Leather.

People often confuse vegetable-tanned with vegan. The words sound alike, but the leather could not be more different.

Vegetable-Tanned vs. Vegan Leather.

People often confuse vegetable-tanned with vegan. The words sound alike, but the leather could not be more different.

Full-grain leather icon

Vegetable-Tanned Leather (Veg-Tan): Real hide, tanned slowly with natural plant extracts. It carries strength, depth, and a soul that only time can unlock. With use, it darkens, softens, and develops a patina.

Oil barrel icon

Vegan Leather: A man-made substitute, usually from plastics like PU or PVC. It avoids animal use, but it cannot age, breathe, or change. It stays as it is until it wears out.

At Crosstitch, I work with vegetable-tanned leather because it unites nature, tradition, and the quiet beauty of aging gracefully.

At Crosstitch, I choose vegetable-tanned leather because it brings together natural origins, strength, and the beauty of aging gracefully.

How to Care for Your Leather

A Crosstitch piece is built to last, but like anything alive with character, it responds to how you treat it:

No water icon

Keep it dry: If it meets water, pat gently with a soft cloth and let it dry in its own time. Never rush it with heat.

Quality guarantee icon

Feed it now and then: A touch of natural conditioner once or twice a year keeps it supple, nourished, and alive.

Years guarantee icon

Let it tell its story: Scratches and scuffs are not flaws, they are chapters. Don’t erase them. Embrace them.

Customer satisfaction icon

Give it a good home: Store in a cool, dry place, never trapped in plastic. A simple fabric pouch is perfect.

A closing word

When you choose Crosstitch, you are not just buying leather. You are carrying a story.

Crosstitch Leather

Handmade Leather Goods

Handmade in Lebanon on a lebanses flag logo
Logo

All Rights Reserved By @Crosstitch Leather

Crosstitch Leather

Handmade Leather Goods

Handmade in Lebanon on a lebanses flag logo
Logo

All Rights Reserved By @Crosstitch Leather

Crosstitch Leather

Handmade Leather Goods

Handmade in Lebanon on a lebanses flag logo
Logo

All Rights Reserved By @Crosstitch Leather

Crosstitch Leather

Handmade Leather Goods

Handmade in Lebanon on a lebanses flag logo
Logo

All Rights Reserved By @Crosstitch Leather

Leathers & Colors

Below is a snapshot of the leathers and colors currently available in the workshop:

Badalassi Carlo – Pueblo
Soft matte leather with a slightly waxy surface. Known for strong pull-up and a patina that develops quickly with use.

Badalassi Carlo – Pueblo
Soft matte leather with a slightly waxy surface. Known for strong pull-up and a patina that develops quickly with use.

Hand cutting brown leather with precision knife on green cutting mat – leather crafting process
Hand cutting brown leather with precision knife on green cutting mat – leather crafting process

Aqua

Hand cutting brown leather with precision knife on green cutting mat – leather crafting process
Hand cutting brown leather with precision knife on green cutting mat – leather crafting process

Bordeaux

Close-up of leather wallet being hand stitched with waxed thread – traditional leatherworking
Close-up of leather wallet being hand stitched with waxed thread – traditional leatherworking

Tobacco

Hand burnishing leather edge with wooden tool in workshop
Hand burnishing leather edge with wooden tool in workshop

Sapphire

Walpier Conceria – Buttero
Firm, smooth vegetable-tanned leather with a clean surface and excellent structure. Ideal for wallets that hold their shape.

Optional surface: Hatch finish. Same leather with a subtle cross-grain texture.

Olive Buttero
Olive Buttero

Black

Blue Buttero
Blue Buttero

Blue

Whiskey Buttero
Whiskey Buttero

Whiskey

Chocolate Buttero
Chocolate Buttero

Chocolate

Olive Buttero
Olive Buttero

Chestnut

Olive Buttero
Olive Buttero

Black (Hatch)

Olive Buttero
Olive Buttero

Blue (Hatch)

Badalassi Carlo – Waxy
Waxy finished leather with rich depth and visible character. Shows marks and wear early, then settles into a deep, even patina.

Olive Buttero
Olive Buttero

Cognac

Availability Notes
Leather availability changes as hides are used and restocked.
If a specific leather or color matters to your order, confirm availability before production.

Natural markings and slight color variation are part of the material and not considered defects.