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Leatherworking 101: A how-to guide to learning leather crafting

By Kristin Arzt

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Leatherworking 101: A how-to guide to learning leather crafting

Leatherworking 101: A how-to guide to learning leather crafting

Leatherworking is a great skill to pick up to make everything from practical projects to ornate artwork. The start-up costs are relatively low, and the basic techniques are easy to pick up on and apply to more advanced projects. Leather is used to make a variety of objects, including footwear, car seats, clothing, footballs, backpacks, purses, books, furniture, and more. Here, we will cover exactly how to get started leatherworking and what you need to set up.

What is leatherworking?

Leatherworking, also known as leather crafting, is the practice of making leather into practical objects or artwork, using molding, dyeing, carving, stamping, and fabrication techniques.

Starting with the basics of leatherworking

Once you start leatherworking, you will be able to apply basic knowledge and techniques to a vast number of projects. The tools for leatherworking are relatively inexpensive, long-lasting, and versatile for many different projects.

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Common leatherworking tools

Leatherworking Tools What are they?
Awl An awl is a tool with a metal point used for marking, piercing, punching, or sewing leather.
Beveler A beveler is a tool with a metal blade that is used to remove the square corners from the edges of leather goods.
Burnisher A burnisher is used to smooth and harden the edges of leather. It is usually made of wood and smooths leather through applied friction and pressure.
Cutting tools There are many different tools you can use to cut leather, and the right one will depend on the project you have in mind. You can use a strap cutter to cut straight lines and pull straps or a rotary cutter to slice curves.
Leather glue Make sure you are using glue that is specific for leather and suede.
Maul A leather maul is a striking tool used for stamping, tooling, setting rivets, and more. It is made of a head and a handle, similar to a hammer and mallet.
Pricking iron and chisel Pricking irons and chisels are tools that are used for marking and creating holes in leather. They are built with equally spaced metal points.
Punch A leather punch is a hole punch specifically for making holes in leather. They are great for setting rivets or making holes in belts and collars.
Skiver A leather skiver is a metal tool used to remove and shave thin layers of leather material off of the surface.
Stamp Leather stamps are made of metal and are used to create designs on your leather’s surface.
Sewing tools You will need to gather needles, thread, and tools to hold leather while you sew when sewing leather.
Cutting mat Before cutting your leather with a utility blade or rotary cutter, set up your work surface with a cutting mat to protect the table.
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Types of leather

  • All leather differs in tannage, weight, temper, and finish. Leather made from cowhides is the most widely available and versatile type of leather. The most common types of leather used in leatherworking are veg tan and chrome tan. The main difference between these two is the tanning process.

  • Veg tan leather is tanned with tannin-rich vegetal oils that have been extracted from tree bark. This type of leather typically takes a longer amount of time to create. It is considered higher quality in comparison to chrome tan.

  • Chrome tan leather uses chemicals to tan and is a faster, less costly process. Veg tan leather is typically thicker and more durable, while chrome tanned leather is thin and less durable.

Sourcing leather for crafting

The Crucible’s Leatherworking department sources leather from Tandy Leather, a specialty retailer and wholesale distributor of leather, tools, and supplies.

Preparing your leather

Lay your out on a table leather and examine the surface. Make sure you avoid any holes or uneven areas when you decide which area of the leather to work with. Measure and mark the surface before you cut your leather. You can measure your project out by working with a pattern as a guide. When marking cut lines, you can use a pencil or chalk.

Cutting your leather

You can cut leather several different ways, and the method and tools you choose will depend on the project. For thinner, more pliable leather, you can simply use scissors or leather shears. Shears are great for freeform cutting and following templates. Utility knives are very versatile and inexpensive tools. They work well for curves and for cutting straight lines with a straightedge. If your project is a belt, collar, or requires any straight lines, a strap cutter will be an ideal cutting tool.

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Leatherworking skills and techniques

The following techniques can be applied to something as simple as a keychain or as large as a backpack. Once you are generally familiar with these skills, it is relatively simple to build upon basic techniques and elevate them to more advanced projects.

Gluing leather

Gluing leather is generally a straightforward process to fuse multiple leather pieces using glue specifically for leather and suede. Make sure you are working in a well-ventilated area when working with leather glue. You may want to rough or scratch the two surfaces that will be glued together for the best results, especially if they are very slick surfaces. Before you apply the glue, make sure the surface of the leather is clean and dry. When you apply the glue, use a thin and consistent layer of clay. Join the two pieces together and apply firm pressure as the glue is drying. Leave it undisturbed for at least three hours as the bond forms.

Casing leather

Casing is the process of adding water to veg tanned leather to soften the fibers. Veg tanned leather is in a natural, raw state, enabling you to easily case the fiber to stamp, mold, and shape the leather.

Saddle stitching leather

Saddle stitching is a very strong hand-sewn stitch, used to join two pieces of leather together. To saddle stitch, you will need to have a length of waxed thread and two harness needles. To create each stitch, the entire thread serpentines two times through the layers of leather, making it very durable and strong.

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Dyeing leather

Leather can be dyed any color, and this process works particularly well on veg-tanned leather. You can apply your dye with sheep wool. If you are looking to get even coverage, use multiple light coats of pigment. If you are interested in an uneven, textured look, apply a few heavy coats of dye.

When selecting your dye, you have a few options. Spirit-based dyes are great for deep penetration of the leather. They are the best for getting uneven and rustic looks to your work. However, spirit-based dyes are not as easily available as others, and cannot be purchased or mailed to California. Acetone-based dyes are the California-friendly version of spirit-based dyes. They work reasonably well but evaporate very aggressively. Make sure you work quickly and seal your bottles tight. Water-based dyes work more like paints. They will only rest on the surface with minimal penetration. Water-based dyes come in the widest array of colors and are the only way to get very bright results. These dyes are ideal for projects that don’t see much bending or folding and are rarely exposed to the elements.

Burnishing leather

Burnishing leather is the method of polishing rough edges. It can be a time-consuming process but results in excellent, clean results. Start by beveling the edge and pre buffing the edge with a damp piece of cloth. Buff the edge using a slicking wheel or rod, until it takes on a glossy look and is smooth to the touch.

Skiving leather

Skiving leather reduces the thickness of the leather so that you can easily make folds, bends, and hide seams. A leather skiver is a metal tool used to remove and shave thin layers of leather material off of the surface. It generally improves the overall quality and appearance of the leather project.

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What can you make with leather?

There are a limitless number of possibilities when you are starting to plan out leather projects. Ideal beginner projects, like a card wallet or a keychain, show you techniques that you can continue to apply to more complicated pieces, like bags, purses, and even bike seats.

How to learn leather crafting

The Crucible’s Leather, Textiles, and Fine Art Department offers leatherworking classes for all levels. You can make your own leather journal or card wallet in just a few hours in one of our 3-Hour Tasters. If you are interested in diving deeper and making larger projects, explore our intensive Leather Working classes.

Leatherworking FAQs

Is leatherworking hard to learn?

It is relatively easy to get started leatherworking. Setup costs are low and the basic skills are easily translatable to many different projects. You can easily make a simple wallet in just a few hours, or spend weeks on a more complicated project.

What are good beginner projects for leatherworking?

A simple card wallet is a great beginning leatherworking project, as it teaches the basic skills of preparing cutting, casing, dyeing, stitching, beveling, and burnishing leather. Leatherworking techniques tend to build upon each other as you scale up to make larger projects. Other simple beginner leatherworking projects are a pet collar, keychain, and belt. After making a simple project, you can apply all of these skills to more advanced projects, like a harness, backpack, or even a soccer ball.

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You Can Learn To Work With Leather

The Crucible has new leatherworking classes offered weekly.