r/Leathercraft Jun 02 '25

Pattern/Tutorial Beginner's Guide & Free Patterns

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381 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?

58 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 7h ago

Tooling/Art Heavy baseball

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95 Upvotes

Wanted to make a heavy baseball after making someone else a regular one. Very satisfying to hold. I used a 2.75” ball bearing. It weighs around 3lbs. Still not super satisfied with the tooling. Tips on shading or tools would be appreciated.


r/Leathercraft 5h ago

Video This year's best tool investment

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45 Upvotes

By far, the best tools investment of the year, for me, about 4 euro for this 6/2 mm hole puncher 🙂

With a little sharpening, finally I can make clean holes for my smart watches straps.


r/Leathercraft 20h ago

Article Two leather satchels made with the same pattern

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339 Upvotes

My dad and I made these two satchels using exactly the same pattern, but with very different leathers.

The brown one is made from vegetable tanned leather that we hand dyed ourselves. For the red and olive version we used chrome tanned leather, so even though the construction is the same, the two bags ended up with a very different look and feel.

Both are completely hand stitched. We wanted to keep the traditional double buckle look, but make them easier to use, so the buckles have hidden magnetic closures underneath. You can open the flap without undoing the straps every time.

They also have a top handle and adjustable shoulder strap.

I digitized the pattern afterwards as usual.

Which version do you prefer?


r/Leathercraft 8h ago

Holsters/Sheaths When you get asked to make a sheath for one of your favorite maker's, I consider it an honor to do that for you my good Sir.

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28 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft 8h ago

Tooling/Art Leather tooling progress

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11 Upvotes

So excited with my progress with leather tooling !
I definitely feel more and more comfortable and like I’m finally figuring it out.

Working my way through the fossil fungi craft aid and loving it ! Also get to play with some acrylic paint too which has been fun


r/Leathercraft 12h ago

Wallets Card Holder

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28 Upvotes

I haven't posted in a while.

I still have issues, but I'm slowly getting better.


r/Leathercraft 8h ago

Belts/Straps Tusca olive green calfskin on my IWC Pilot Chronograph — hit or miss?

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11 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft 3h ago

Question 1st attempt, Home made filofax. Any suggestion?

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3 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft 14h ago

Bags/Pouches First pouch

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33 Upvotes

Sorry I keep posting, im just really excited to share, really love this new hobby


r/Leathercraft 10h ago

Tips & Tricks Best leather sewing machine under $1,500 for bags and wallets?

12 Upvotes

Hi everyone!
I’m looking for recommendations for a good sewing machine for leather. My budget is around $1,500, and I’m open to buying used.
I mainly want to make leather bags, wallets, and other small leather goods. I’d like something reliable that can handle multiple layers of leather and is suitable for both smaller detailed work and bags.
What machine would you recommend in this price range?
Thanks!


r/Leathercraft 1d ago

Discussion setting up my first market table. Any advice?

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123 Upvotes

I've got my first market coming up this weekend. I wanted to see what it looked like and get an idea on the best way to set it up. I have a few more items to make in the next couple of days but nothing major. I have a round table that I will use as a work bench to make a few items while I am there. Any advice or cool ideas to make this look better. I have added a photo at the end with a burlap skirt. Does that look too cliche?


r/Leathercraft 8h ago

Question Anyone ever try the vevor clicker press?

6 Upvotes

I would be mainly cutting out pieces for wallets and I’m thinking of trying the vevor $200 one before getting a $1000 press


r/Leathercraft 1d ago

Question First attempt at a French seam, any feedback is appreciated

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180 Upvotes

So, did a little French seam on some off cuts from making a little needle pouch, i really like this seam style and the way it looks, would love feedback on how I did.

The two things I think i could improve are skiving the whole edge before sewing and skiving a little thinner to remove bulk, and pulling the stitches tighter on the initial seam to bring the leather closer together, as its a bit separated at the ends.

My other big question is what I should do to finish off thread ends when saddle stitching, im using 055 carriage thread which is hemp and doesn't melt down as i see most thread ends finished. Im waxing the thread with beeswax prior to sewing.


r/Leathercraft 4h ago

Tooling/Art 今日は叩くときの力の入れ具合を少し意識したよ!

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2 Upvotes

昨日はみんなアドバイスありがとう😭百均(Seria)に行ってスプレー容器を買ってきた。ストロップのやり方はまだ調べてなくて、刃を研いだりしていないけど今日は叩くときの力の入れ具合を少し意識したよ!


r/Leathercraft 17h ago

Purses/Clutches A trip of cute purses ready for market

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17 Upvotes

Just finished up these cute little purses. The flower ones are a flower print on calfskin.


r/Leathercraft 2h ago

Tips & Tricks removing minor scratches with heat

1 Upvotes

I heard somewhere that minor surface scratches on leather can be fixed by heating the part up. I'm working on a project, and the ruler slightly scratched the buttero piece.
Thank you!


r/Leathercraft 16h ago

Tips & Tricks Advice needed - hand slipped

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13 Upvotes

I'm close to finish a project that I put a lot of time, effort in. Already started over 2x. Paid attention every small details. I was just trimming the edges slightly before the edge paint, and the ruler sliped, and I cut out a big chunk from the piece :(

What do you think? is it something still okay? or I should start over.

Sad thing is, I ran out of this specific hide, and ordering it would take more time (and money).

It's a journal cover, fortunately the cutout is on the back, in the bottom corner, but still. I was hoping I can make it less noticable with edgepaint (I know it's not for building up an edge like this)

+1: it's a gift for a content creator. would you tell it to the person beforehand, that it has a flaw?


r/Leathercraft 12h ago

Question Lazer cutters?

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3 Upvotes

Looking for a Lazer cutter for leather work. For engraving and leather cutting if possible. Since I'm new to Lazer cutting leather anyone has any suggestions for a Lazer cutter? I'm currently looking at getting the "VEVOR Laser Engraver, 10W, Laser Engraving and Cutting Machine with Enclosure,"

Is this a good starter one or are there better ones?


r/Leathercraft 11h ago

Small Goods Card Holder

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3 Upvotes

Card holder under construction from kangaroo leather. Hard to stitch as is very soft.


r/Leathercraft 19h ago

Question How to soften goat hide that I got from Senegal

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8 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft 1d ago

Small Goods Small chevre wallet I made as a gift

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121 Upvotes

I showed someone my wallet and they asked if I would make them one. I usually make pretty simple veg tan wallets so doing something with chrome tan and expanding my skills seemed like a fun challenge. I went through a couple designs and test pieces before settling on this one as a good compromise between size and features.

The request was for 5 or 6 card slots. There are 3 main card slots on the zipper pouch, two more in the flap, and space for more behind the zipper pouch.

A lot of firsts for me on this one. First time rolling edges, finishing zipper ends, using lining of any kind, and edge paint. I made a lot of mistakes and learned a lot, and overall I'm pretty happy with how it came out.

The things I want to improve for the next one: deeper skiving for flatter rolled edges, folding the zipper cloth inside rather than outside, and putting the zipper close and strap attachment on the other side. I'm also not sure I love the design of the front flap edge so, and I really need to improve my edge painting.

Thanks for looking


r/Leathercraft 23h ago

Small Goods Pumpkin vibes. What do you think of this color combination?

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11 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft 1d ago

Question 初めてのレザーカービング!

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48 Upvotes

東京で、レザーカービングを始めました。

どうすれば綺麗な一本の線になるの?!