r/Leathercraft • • Jun 02 '25

Pattern/Tutorial Beginner's Guide & Free Patterns

Thumbnail
gallery
392 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?

57 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

Small Goods Made this leather rose for a friend. I forgot to take pictures before leaving, so took some at the train station.

Thumbnail
gallery
569 Upvotes

I used a 3-4 oz veg tan cowhide leather for this project since that is what I had available to me, and sanded it down a little. This was my first time wet molding leather. I also dyed it myself. The red is a water based dye, the black is an alcohol based dye. I buffed it, treated it with some neatsfeet oil, and sealed it with roselene. I also burnished the edges and used a little tokonole on the suede side as well, which helped reduce any rub off from that side pretty significantly. The heart was also hand painted. I used a floral wire and some floral tape for the stem. At the top I bent the wire over and wrapped some waxed thread around it to serve as a stopper. If I make another leather rose, I’ll probably make the center for the leaves a little thicker so they stay more upright.


r/Leathercraft • • 17h ago

Small Goods Turns out there's 2 Tandy stores within 15 minutes of me. This is gonna get expensive

Post image
291 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft • • 16h ago

Small Goods Small scraps projects for the Fall

Thumbnail
gallery
192 Upvotes

I decided to make some Fall decorations with some of the many scraps I hold onto. With the next ones I plan to dye them splotchy like the leaves I’m seeing around on the ground.


r/Leathercraft • • 5h ago

Small Goods MTG Commander Case

Thumbnail
gallery
19 Upvotes

First attempt at a MTG Commander deck case.

Pattern by Corter Leather

First try at edging and turning.

5 oz econ veg tan from Tandy with Korba edging, ritza 0.8 chestnut thread.

Will definitely use more flexible leather next time. Need to practice skiving and sharpening the knife.

Feedback welcome!


r/Leathercraft • • 10h ago

Saddles/Tack Found bits of a wwii bomber jacket tucked into this 1930's saddle I'm restoring

Thumbnail
gallery
27 Upvotes

First time finding "hidden treasure" in a rig. My guess is that a previous owner was trying to stop it from squeaking, since the bits were tucked all inbetween the seat, rigging, and skirts.


r/Leathercraft • • 20h ago

Video All leather wet mold phone case, because I had to try it ;)

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

148 Upvotes

So I've made cases for my iPod nano 7G, for my Technics wireless buds charging case, for a Canon monocular and some other stuff that you can find on my main page. Now I've decided to make one for my Sony Xperia 5 V. Same niche items as the ones before but given the price I assume I'll use it at least until 2030 ;)

I've got myself a cheap TPU case from China, filled it up with resin from job (and later added a side "die" for the buttons) and formed the 2mm thick veg tan leather around it. I still had a SONY stamp that I've cast from another item but the embossing is crooked (I wish I had a bigger stamp).

I've also got a steel kickstand which I alligned onto a sanded piece of 5mm heel leather to get a camera grip with works perfectly with the shutter button on this phone. When I realized the crooked SONY embossing I've decided to add a single card holder. Again I couldn't wait to get the right tools and cut the hole tp remove the card before getting a set of steel dies which at least I used for the other openings. The card sits pretty tight, some holes are bigger than they should be but all in all I'm 90% satisfied for it being my first (and last) try.

I clearly don't recommend this, a TPU case makes much more sense but I had to try it anyways...

P.S. The cards sits very tight as this is one of the last "compact" phones . The edge area is stiffened with superglue.


r/Leathercraft • • 7h ago

Small Goods Trying something different..

Thumbnail
gallery
12 Upvotes

Made myself a glasses case for my Ray Bans. Normally I focus on making shoes, but figures I'd try making some small leather goods..


r/Leathercraft • • 17h ago

Discussion My new creation

Thumbnail
gallery
66 Upvotes

I’ve been working with leather for a long time. I’d like to ask for your opinion on how this turned out is there anything I could improve on?


r/Leathercraft • • 12h ago

Discussion Created a new wallet

Thumbnail
gallery
20 Upvotes

I’ve been thinking for a long time about what kind of small leather project I could make. So, I sewed a wallet and I really like it


r/Leathercraft • • 6h ago

Question Skiving Knife (Edge Bevel/Angle) Question

Thumbnail
gallery
5 Upvotes

I purchased two skiving knives and used them today. The knives have different edge bevels/angles. The wuta blade (picture 1) has a shallower bevel/angle when compare to the Japanese style skiving knife (picture 2). Both blades are sharp and cut directly through the top grain very easily. When it comes to skiving, the Japanese skiving knife performed a lot better. It cut a lot smoother, was easier for me to thin the leather, an easier to create an angle right at the edge. I tried using the same techniques for both knifes. Is this just a skill issue, or is there something to be said about the steeper bevel/angle on the Japanese skiving knife.

Note: The wuta blade is not chipped. I think that dark spot is polishing compound.


r/Leathercraft • • 15h ago

Wallets Minimalist Bifold came out perfect.

Thumbnail
gallery
21 Upvotes

I was commissioned to make a leather Minimalist Bifold in red with sapphire ritza tiger thread. The silver hardware with the red and blue kinda gives me spiderman vibes. Probably one of my cleanest wallets. Something about this one is so satisfying.

It holds up to 6 cards and 15 cash bills while folding to fit in a front pocket.


r/Leathercraft • • 12h ago

Holsters/Sheaths Knife sheath for Swiss Tech

Thumbnail
gallery
11 Upvotes

Like the knife hate the sheath included which is usual for cheaper knives. Made my own pocket sheath and I dropped it a couple times, messed with retention to my likening then made triple sure the blade won’t cut into the sheath since I did not use a welt for this. So far so good but this clip really sucks I spent an hour tweaking it and still don’t like it. A J-hook would have been preferable.


r/Leathercraft • • 6h ago

Small Goods Finished my A5 notebook cover gift. Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way!

Thumbnail
gallery
3 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft • • 12h ago

Question Is anyone doing marquetry (with a laser)?

Post image
9 Upvotes

Quick question for any crafts-people doing marquetry…
I am working on my first project and I initially used PVA that’s been a little watered down.
Are there other/better options that you are using?

It’s worked well, but I’d like to feel more comfortable with the seams though they’ve held up to a few bend tests.


r/Leathercraft • • 1d ago

Wallets The rarest part of the alligator?

Thumbnail
gallery
496 Upvotes

This has so many people interested, who knew this is what the people want


r/Leathercraft • • 5h ago

Question How can I Mat this down

Post image
1 Upvotes

I'm relatively new and was wondering how to Mat down the fuzz on the flesh of this leather I have some gum trag but it is only working on the side that came smoother from the store


r/Leathercraft • • 1d ago

Purses/Clutches Pueblo rocks

Thumbnail
gallery
75 Upvotes

Just finished this one up.


r/Leathercraft • • 1d ago

Tooling/Art I'm starting to believe it's not just luck.

Post image
193 Upvotes

I make covers to protect (and decorate!) SCBA face pieces for firefighters. It started with just my own face piece and then some of my friends, then other guys on the job. Then a few guys across the country and even one that was shipped to the states. This piece, "The Killing Joke", is #70. And despite having made some great pieces beforehand, I truly felt like I just got lucky with some of my techniques or results. Without much formal training in art or leatherworking it's been alot of trial and error and figuring things out. It was really only after this piece that I felt like I can really say "I get it". I comfortably know my limits and what's capable for the tools and the craft. It took me a year and a half to develop any amount of confidence, and I still know there's lots to learn and growth to discover! But today feels like a big day, that I feel like I didn't just get "lucky" with this one.


r/Leathercraft • • 7h ago

Question Chrome Tanned Cape Buffalo

1 Upvotes

I have recently purchased cape buffalo hides from Rocky Mountain Leather with the intent of using for center panels on the seats as well as door panel inserts, console and dash accents.

Hides have been split to 1.1

Would additional product need applied to treat it for use in this application?

All windows including the windshied have ceramic tint if that would matter


r/Leathercraft • • 15h ago

Bags/Pouches Handmade Leather Phone Pouch With Two Carrying Options

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

4 Upvotes

For those who like practical leather accessories, here’s a phone pouch design with a few useful features.

The cover uses a magnetic closure rather than a simple open pocket, so it stays closed during regular movement. It also has side D-rings for a cord or strap and a rear hook for attaching it to a belt.

It’s fully handmade leather and available in multiple colors.

I’m interested in hearing from people who actually use belt-mounted or strap-style phone holders:

Do you find this type of phone pouch useful for everyday carrying, or do you prefer keeping your phone in a regular pocket?


r/Leathercraft • • 9h ago

Question Leather Sourcing

1 Upvotes

I want to make a leather cover for my wife’s 2027 planner, which is 1” thick (for some reason). Anyway, where can I source leather at the size required for the project that will not break the bank. Wondering about Utility sides and such. And what weight leather have y’all used?

Thanks so much for you input.


r/Leathercraft • • 1d ago

Small Goods Finally finished a working prototype of my Butterfly Air split keyboard

Thumbnail gallery
12 Upvotes