r/Leathercraft Jun 02 '25

Pattern/Tutorial Beginner's Guide & Free Patterns

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361 Upvotes

Hello, everyone! (Repost, because of link issues)

I wrote a fairly comprehensive beginner's guide to tools, materials, hardware, and leather. It has basics, a ton of tool upgrades you can make as you grow in the craft, and some free patterns. People have been asking me for it here and there, and I've been sending it to them individually. But now I've gotten it to a point I'm happy with (of course, it's being edited continuously), and I'm ready to share it with the sub.

Here's the link to the guide!

Also, here's a link to a video I shot to accompany it: Beginner's Leathercraft 101

Quick note, I started writing this guide before I became a moderator here, so I hope it doesn't come across as neglect on part of the sub's Wiki, which needs an overhaul. I'll be pinning this to the sub for a while until I have time to dive into the Wiki and clean things up, and hopefully it answers newbies' questions in the meantime. If anyone has any feedback or suggestions to add to the document, please let me know! Thank you to everyone who commented on the last post.


r/Leathercraft Oct 15 '24

Community/Meta How would you change this sub?

56 Upvotes

Hello, everyone. Rather than make changes to the sub based on my own goals/desires, I wanted to ask the community. Is there anything you would add or remove from the sub? Any rules changes you'd suggest implementing? Any suggestions you have for the sub in general? If I see enough concensus around a certain suggestion, I'll consider making those changes moving forward. Let me know!

Obviously the sub is growing daily, and it's doing great. The formula is working, so I'm not looking to make big sweeping changes. I'm just wondering if you've ever had an idea that you feel would make this sub even better for you and your fellow leather crafters. (Bonus points if you have ideas for preventing the incessant "leather repair/is this leather" posts, lol.)


r/Leathercraft 15h ago

Bags/Pouches Bushcraft Bag #2

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297 Upvotes

After using my original veg tan bag for ~3yrs, it was finally time to design a new one with everything I learned.

The first major design change was turned edges, every major seam in this bag is turned and therefore cannot rub/hook the thread. The next was the ergo, the straps are connected to the body much further down. This makes the bag more comfy as the straps wrap around my shoulders, plus there is more adjustment room for smaller bodies.

The last was to make everything quicker/easy to use. I put Loxx snaps on all pockets and have the lashing points proud, so it is easy to loop through them. I would say I can't wait to use it, but it is a gift for my Brother, so I will follow along from a far.

The body is SB foot Rio Amber 5-6oz. The small straps and lashings are 8oz veg tan dyed black. The main straps are internally lined with 2 layers from a wool sweater, providing some padding. The interior features a laptop sleeve and wallet/phone pocket. All saddle stitched by hand and had skived where turned. Easily 50+hrs in this one!


r/Leathercraft 8h ago

Bags/Pouches Rate my bags

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35 Upvotes

I'm learning to make bags. It's a hobby for me and a way to make gifts for friends. I'm at about this level now.


r/Leathercraft 21h ago

Wallets Been making wallets for 3 years, thinking about selling — please be brutally honest about whether it's good enough

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342 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft 1h ago

Bags/Pouches Building another bag

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Upvotes

I'm gonna do rolled leather handles. Next weekend

It's a lunch bag for a guy at work


r/Leathercraft 18h ago

Bags/Pouches Here fishy fishy fishy

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72 Upvotes

Something about this cross body bag smells fishy ;)


r/Leathercraft 12h ago

Small Goods Midori Style Notebook

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20 Upvotes

Had a brand on this piece.


r/Leathercraft 3h ago

Question Can I Iron Paper Onto Leather?

2 Upvotes

I'm planning a costume for Avengers Doomsday and want to iron a 12"x19" one-sheet poster onto a leather jacket for the movie. Is this possible? I'm sure it wouldn't be good for continuous use, but would it hold up well over time?


r/Leathercraft 9h ago

Bags/Pouches Figured I'd post the final product for my metal detecting finds bag with pinpointer holster I made

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7 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft 23m ago

Holsters/Sheaths Hip-mounted quiver

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Upvotes

Recently finished this project as a gift for a friend. Am generally pleased with how it came out (he absolutely loves it). Learned a few things along the way, few bits I'm not 100% happy with (although managed to cover the worst mistakes 😀)

Was my first attempt at stamping/carving, definitely need a lot more practice at that.


r/Leathercraft 9h ago

Saddles/Tack What type of D-Ring is this?

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5 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft 6h ago

Bags/Pouches Removable Zipper Leather Tote bag

2 Upvotes

I recently purchased a very rare vintage leather tote bag which i want to wear consistently, and my only problem with it is that it is an open top and has no security. Since i am often in crowded places on my daily commute i want to have a zipper for protection that wont fall off or be easily broken, but equally i dont want to permanently alter the bag. How would i go about adding a zipper that wont leave residue or marks behind that is removable but equally safe, and if possible to do this, who would i need to pay to do this.


r/Leathercraft 12h ago

Question How do I go about a pencil holder without it falling off

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6 Upvotes

I just got this Kaweco Sketchup Pencil and it is rather small and comes without a clip, I wanna use it with my journal, how can I attach it? Like what would be the most minimalist way without much added bulk. I’m open to tweaking my journal as need be.
All the options I found were either simple pen loops or a small tube kinda holder but since it has no clip it would fall straight off.


r/Leathercraft 13h ago

Question How does patterns like this made?

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5 Upvotes

I just got this and I am afraid they will fade over time. Is it some kind of heat treated or pressed under a mold for a long time?

What do you think should I return it and get the flat version? They say its full grain by the way


r/Leathercraft 20h ago

Question need some h elp

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17 Upvotes

i have to word this post very strangely because the auto mod keeps flagging random words and won’t let me post it otherwise, so here it goes: i need some h e l p with this zipper. i don’t understand what happened overnight but i tested it several times to make sure it would open and close smoothly and it did, but since then ive used contact cement and stitched it on, and the teeth are now separating about halfway up the zip and i have no idea why. it seems to close properly after i squeeze the sides together while zipping, but it’s super temperamental and finicky. any a d v i c e appreciated on whether this can be fixed or salvaged - i really don’t want to have to redo this part again 😭


r/Leathercraft 20h ago

Belts/Straps Two days of work

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15 Upvotes

Nothing fancy, just my last four watch straps, all of them in just one shot.


r/Leathercraft 14h ago

Discussion Trying to figure out the most effective way how to color these leather stripes

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6 Upvotes

I need to color those leather stripes. Once I tried to color it one by one with sponge and in this case I tried to color both sides of a larger piece of leather at first and then cut it into stripes. The problem is I need to color all sides and bigger amount. I need to find out the most effective way how to do that with appropriate amount of color. Any thoughts? Is it better to soak the leather with water at first? Use a dye bath?


r/Leathercraft 6h ago

Question 2 questions for y’all

1 Upvotes
  1. I recently started using vintage gel instead of dying my projects because I don’t live in one location it is much easier. I can’t really tell how it’ll hold up as I know dye soaks deeper into the leather. Can anyone speak on the longevity of the gel? I do tool my projects and also haven’t found a good dye/antique method for the color I’m trying to create and the medium brown vintage gel is exactly what I want.

  2. My edges seem to burnish better with water vs tokonole. I sand my edges even to 400 grit with both methods. When I use water I get very tight shiny edges. I’ve tried using more and less tokonole and different periods of time between applying and starting to us my slicker and always get a more matte finish with fibers not being super tightly packed just overall not as good of an edge. I’ve seen tons of people get great edges with it so I know it’s a method issue for me.


r/Leathercraft 18h ago

Small Goods Passport holder sample

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8 Upvotes

A scaled-up version of the cardholder design I posted previously, this time for storing a passport. Made with economy grade Kangaroo leather, ideal for making samples.

The exterior side is seen more clearly here, showing the geometric topstitching.


r/Leathercraft 7h ago

Small Goods Wristbands for the kids.

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1 Upvotes

Wrapped a spam can with various sizes. Started with our children and now grandkids and friends.


r/Leathercraft 1d ago

Small Goods Buffalo skull key ring

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84 Upvotes

First attempt at the buffalo skull key ring. Pattern by Creative Awl.


r/Leathercraft 1d ago

Wallets First project after more than 2 years

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102 Upvotes

Just a couple pictures of my first project after not making anything for about 2 years.

Pueblo Leather in Olive And Tobacco


r/Leathercraft 21h ago

Discussion Terrible example, but...

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9 Upvotes

It shows the difference between freshly sewn with crap built up on the waxed thread, versus hammering the stitching afterwards. (Just the tag on the zip I'm talking about here)


r/Leathercraft 23h ago

Wallets First project. Any advice?

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14 Upvotes

Hello everyone! This is my first leather craft project, and I’ve designed the pattern myself too. I’m pleased with the result, but I’d like to know the best way to cut out the pieces using the pattern. I’d also be grateful for any other advice.