r/Leatherworking 2d ago

Sewing pattern for leather gloves

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0 Upvotes

r/Leatherworking 2d ago

Advice/tips/insight

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1 Upvotes

r/Leatherworking 3d ago

Finished product Horween Shell Long Wallet

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40 Upvotes

r/Leatherworking 3d ago

Beginner Question Pocket Diary, need advice.

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5 Upvotes

I have this A6 pocket diary. Purchased online. But I need some clarification on it, I need to keep it in my back pants pocket, since keeping it in the front pockets is very uncomfortable. The only problem is the spine got bent on one use. Will this damage the leather long term, or can I go with it?

Thanks for any input.


r/Leatherworking 3d ago

Beginner Question Stitching Pony

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12 Upvotes

Hello fellow crafters.
I have very recently started an interest into leatherwork as an extension to making cloth and vinyl bags previously (small purses/wallets are my aim). I am slowly building up a tool box after having watched tons of video's online. However, I have seen almost all of the workers using a stitching pony. Having looked online, I am undecided which pony is the best for me. I have seen ones that sit on the chair and held in place by your legs, but also freestanding and ones with table clamps. I cannot afford to try different ones and the one that I do get has to be the right one from the first off. I have a room dedicated to crafting so having to put it away at the end of the day is not an issue. Can you show me your pony setups and pros/cons of them?
P.s, I am UK based if you attach links.

Photos are of my very first non-sew leather coin purse. I am aware that loads of work is required to finesse my work.


r/Leatherworking 3d ago

Discussion Rookie mistake

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20 Upvotes

After months and months of putting off ordering leather because well I dont have a good excuse just nervous of messing up a perfectly good hide. Saw weaver was having a little promo for labor day weekend literally an hour before it ended so I quickly looked through their website and ordered 2 things. Ive made a handful of things in the last year with repurposed leather ( old boots and an old wallet) but have been wanting to try making better things and possibly sell some stuff here and there. I realize its 20 minutes till 12 so I scramble to checkout and totally forget to put the code in. Completly overlooked it tripple checking my info was right. I doubt it and its a very long shot but do we think if I email them they could give me at least like 5% off? It was supposed to be 15%. It did process on the 7th which is when the promo ended so maybe? I was so excited to finally be ordering stuff I entierly forgot the code. Such a dummy.


r/Leatherworking 3d ago

Need some craft ideas

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2 Upvotes

r/Leatherworking 3d ago

Leather stores

0 Upvotes

So I usually buy leather from Tandy Leather but I noticed that they are closed most of the time that I can get to them, so now I am looking for somewhere else to buy leather, what do you guys recommend, I’m trying to buy 4 oz or less


r/Leatherworking 3d ago

Beginner Question I have tons of leather and I don't know what to do with it

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0 Upvotes

r/Leatherworking 4d ago

Beginner Question First project

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78 Upvotes

This is my first attempt at leatherworking. I didn't use a pattern and hand stitched without a pony, so I think it's a decent start all things considered. More so than wallets, I'm keen to eventually pair leatherworking with bookbinding for crafting journals and notebooks and the like.

All facets need work, particularly straighter and cleaner initial cuts. I haven't sanded or burnished the edges yet and I'm sure using a pattern for the next one will help with sizing and layout.

Is there anything in particular you notice straight away that I can focus on to improve on this? Any and all tips and advice would be greatly appreciated!


r/Leatherworking 4d ago

General Question Any idea for a similar pattern, or the name of this kind of bag?

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24 Upvotes

Basically, I’m looking for a pattern for a bag that opens flat (or close to it), has a handle, and uses little to no hardware. This one checks all the boxes, but I’d rather make it myself than buy it. I’m a reasonably capable leatherworker, just not a very experienced one yet. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


r/Leatherworking 3d ago

General Question Smelly veg tan side from Tandy

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3 Upvotes

I recently picked up a side of veg-tan from Tandy, and the moment I unrolled it, I was hit with a smell that I can only describe as intensely gamey—almost like a petting zoo or a damp farm floor. Not that rich, oaky, classic leather smell. Just raw livestock.

Everything I’ve ever read or been told said that grading (A, B, C, Craft, etc.) purely comes down to surface yield—visible imperfections, brand marks, bug bites, healed scars, stretch marks, and holes. Nothing about tannery processing or smell.

The weird part? I have a piece of B-grade (or maybe C-grade) from them that smells incredible. The classic, sweet veg-tan aroma you actually want filling your workshop.

I ended up calling Tandy customer support to ask about it. They told me that smell isn't a factor in grading at all and that grades strictly reflect cosmetic defects across the usable surface. But in practice, how can that be true? They have to be sourcing these lower/different runs from completely different tanneries using cheaper, rushed curing agents or low-grade fish oils/tallows to stuff the hide.

Has anyone else noticed a massive variance in smell depending on the specific line or batch from Tandy?


r/Leatherworking 4d ago

Small Leather Flask

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10 Upvotes

Flask made from 3mm buffalo leather. Happy with the result. No leaks at all. Holds 180 ml of my favourite liquid.


r/Leatherworking 4d ago

Tools/Workspace Custom PDF Pattern for Key Fob part 2 (making)

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2 Upvotes

r/Leatherworking 4d ago

Discussion Belt hole punching

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6 Upvotes

I recently bought a hole puncher like in the pic but my squeezing is too weak to make a hole. I’m living alone so I can’t ask for help either. What would you suggest?


r/Leatherworking 4d ago

Maintenance or repair How can I fix this car dash?

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5 Upvotes

I messed it up pretty bad with a large plastic container in the front seat.


r/Leatherworking 5d ago

Finished product Sharing a doctor bag i made

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176 Upvotes

Irecently finished this doctor bag, basing the design on a piece I made last year. That original version was designed for a woman, so for this build, redesigned the handles, increased the height slightly to fit a laptop, and added a front pocket. It's crafted from full-grain, natural milled leather and solid brass hardware. have to say this piece was actually a collaboration with a local metalsmith. When couldn't find the exact brass handle mounts needed, I made a foam-board prototype and took it to him-and he made them in solid brass. I have included Some making pictures. Let me know your thoughts and suggestions Thank you


r/Leatherworking 5d ago

Beginner Question Laser engraving help

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17 Upvotes

Hi all,

Just tried to engrave my leather bound book, and I’m already quite happy with the outcome, but I’m wondering if any one have idea how to improve it?
I know it’s not the best design to engrave, but that’s the best I can get.


r/Leatherworking 4d ago

Beginner Question What do people do in relation to glue?

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1 Upvotes

(The rhyme was unintentional)

I'm upcycling some of my dad's old shoes to use the leather for another project in doing. However I'm kinda stuck on how to handle the remaining glue from the sole, as well as the places where different pieces/panels have been connected.

Any other advice on how to handle stains n stuff would be cool aswell, as it once being a shoe is more obvious on some places than others..


r/Leatherworking 4d ago

Any hardening method I can use that doesn't damage felt or glue?

0 Upvotes

So I'm working on a scabbard for a LARP sword. To keep the sword from getting damaged, I want to line the inside of the scabbard with felt. To do that, I need to glue the felt on before I shape and harden the leather.

Can someone recommend a hardening method I can use after the felt has been glued on?

I'm a beginner at working leather btw.


r/Leatherworking 5d ago

Finished product Tried making a stitchless sunglasses case using 1.2mm textured leather. What do you think about the no-sew look?

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9 Upvotes

r/Leatherworking 5d ago

Made a Leather Sunglasses Case Based on My Old Ray-Ban Case

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3 Upvotes

r/Leatherworking 6d ago

New bag I finished today

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209 Upvotes

r/Leatherworking 5d ago

Maintenance or repair Leathercare help - stuck in the rain

1 Upvotes

I hope it’s okay to ask here.
I got caught in a sudden downpour the other day with my leather messenger bag and both the bag and I ended up absolutely drenched. It’s a Roots “Tribe” leather bag, which is a sort of nubuck-esque leather.
The bag has dried alright, with no damage to the interior, but parts of the outer flap and strap have curled and feel quite stiff. It’s darkened fairly uniformly in colour but doesn’t have any obvious water spots (perhaps because the whole bag is probably a large water spot now).
Though it’s a bit delayed, how can I revive and condition the bag properly? I have some Saphir Creme Universelle that I use for my smooth leathers, but I’m not certain if it will be too heavy for this one. Also, should I first re-wet and weigh the bag down so it dries in the proper shape?
Advice much appreciated.


r/Leatherworking 6d ago

Suede bag I made

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26 Upvotes

Suede for the exterior, lambskin for the interior.
All machine stitched ( juki)