Leatherwork Beginnings

[THOaken]

Hello. I'm interested in starting a new craft hobby, and I've chosen leatherworking. I have a tiny bit of experience in leather working, in as much as I made maybe less than 50% of a pouch for my glasses at a skill share meet last year. Cheers, Orric. Also, I'm very inspired by the work of Hamish Half-Goat Odinson as he created a satchel for me which is a work of art. I'm quite excited about leatherwork as it's seems like a very versatile craft.

I'm writing this thread to ask if there are any good beginner guides out there and what tools I will need. I want to start off making very simple things such as leather pouches and small accessories. I believe I need an awl, a mallet, a wax cube and a few others things, just from memory, but I'm not sure. I'd be extremely grateful is someone could explain the foundations of leather work.

Thanks.

 

[reedx]

Have a look at Ian Atkinson's channel on Youtube. As well as the projects he also has lots of general advice videos too.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLkCG-505-1t0rYlgBTSnpQ

Colin

 

[stevec]

i'm not the best when it comes to leather work by any stretch, however i'd say the following would be a good place to start.

stabbing awl - making the stitch holes
overstitch wheel- useful for marking out the stitches, i use 6 to the inch
thread - three strand linnen
beeswax cube - for the thread.
some contact adhesive and buldog clips
craft knife for cutting
leather,
stich groover
needles

i started without the groover then bought one seperatly, it does make life easier for marking out the stiches.

i tend to make knife pouches for myself, but have done pen wallets, and journal covers etc.

the best thing to do is have a look at the leather suppliers, i used leprevo, but there is tandy, and another in northants whose name escapes me.
get some cheap/bargin bin stuff and have a play. to begin with i just used shoe dye from the local cobblers, but have fiebings now.

all the best steve
made this pouch this morning, not my best!

 

[THOaken]

i'm not the best when it comes to leather work by any stretch, however i'd say the following would be a good place to start.

stabbing awl - making the stitch holes
overstitch wheel- useful for marking out the stitches, i use 6 to the inch
thread - three strand linnen
beeswax cube - for the thread.
some contact adhesive and buldog clips
craft knife for cutting
leather,
stich groover
needles

i started without the groover then bought one seperatly, it does make life easier for marking out the stiches.

i tend to make knife pouches for myself, but have done pen wallets, and journal covers etc.

the best thing to do is have a look at the leather suppliers, i used leprevo, but there is tandy, and another in northants whose name escapes me.
get some cheap/bargin bin stuff and have a play. to begin with i just used shoe dye from the local cobblers, but have fiebings now.

all the best steve
made this pouch this morning, not my best!

Thanks, Stevec. Looking at your list I see that there's obviously quite a few similarities to the Ian Atkinson "The Tools You Need for Leatherwork!" video, but in that video I think there's too much equipment mentioned. Unfortunately I'm running on a budget. Your little list is great because not only have you given me just the basic tools (which is a lot less confusing than the video I mentioned), you've also provided simple explanations about what these tools are used for.

 

[stevec]

no probs, i used the simple beginners list on leprevo, see here
http://www.leprevo.co.uk/sew.htm

naturally its there stuff they are listing to but hey, you're free to get it from where you like! they talk about a pricking iron, thats used to cut holes as well, but it can't go round corners or curves very well. with a rpicking iron, you hammer it through the leather.

for me, i just use the stitch groover to mark the line, damp the leather down so i can see the marks left by the overstitch wheel, run the wheel along, then get the awl and stab holes through.

all the best
steve

 

[THOaken]

Cutting
Cutting Mat
Stanley/Craft knife
Metal Ruler

Misc
Bulldog clips

Stitching
Awl - for making stitch holes
Overstitch Wheel (6 per inch) - for marking out the stitching
Needles
Hammer/Wooden Mallet - For use with the awl for punching holes

Threading
Linen Thread (3 strand)
Beeswax - To keep the thread waterproof and help it stay in place when stitching

Leather - Vegetable tan?

Is this a good tool list to start with? I have a few questions. Is there anything crucial that I'm missing? It sounds like the overstitch wheel does the same job as the pricking iron, so I could just pass on that for now? I'm just going to be making very simple pouches to start with, I think, so do I need any dying products? What would the adhesive be used for?

 

[THOaken]

I'd very much appreciate links to any basic tutorials for things such as drawstring pouches and other small accessories.

 

[Tengu]

your going to need a hole punch if your making pouches.

either that or cut a small triangular hole like they did before they had punches

a cutting mat would be nice, otherwise just use several layers of thin card or a chopping board.

 

[THOaken]

your going to need a hole punch if your making pouches.

either that or cut a small triangular hole like they did before they had punches

a cutting mat would be nice, otherwise just use several layers of thin card or a chopping board.

Oh? Okay. I think I know what you mean.

I put a cutting mat on my list, by the way.

Thanks

 

[Macaroon]

You'll get cutting mats of various sizes very cheaply in The Works, if you've got one near you.

 

[Clouston98]

You don't need any of the fancy stuff for pouches. Just a needle and bread or a good machine:

Mixture of ones I've made here:

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118825

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118685

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116484

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118458

You don't need an awl, that's only necessary for thick leather for the like of sheaths etc. You should use the search function, you'll find lots of information on the subject.

 

[THOaken]

You don't need any of the fancy stuff for pouches. Just a needle and bread or a good machine:

Mixture of ones I've made here:

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118825

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118685

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116484

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118458

You don't need an awl, that's only necessary for thick leather for the like of sheaths etc. You should use the search function, you'll find lots of information on the subject.

Pouches aren't the only thing I want to make though, obviously. But you're right, I should use the search function more often. I don't know why I don't. I do have a few unanswered questions above though.

 

[bushwacker bob]

You don't need any of the fancy stuff for pouches. Just a needle and bread or a good machine:

Yep, I use a baguette and tiger thread.

 

[Clouston98]

Yep, I use a baguette and tiger thread.

I've gone and done another one! I blame autocorrect!

 

[Dreadhead]

if you hit your awl with a mallet bad things will happen

your list seems reasonable for a good start. If you are making simple drawstring pouches you don't need veg tan. check out the special offers at leprevo they have a tonne of good deals and are easy to talk to on the phone for advice

p.s thanks for the kind words on the satchel

 

[bilmo-p5]

You'll get cutting mats of various sizes very cheaply in The Works, if you've got one near you.

+1 to that. I just bought 3 x A2 size self-healing mats from the works via eBay for £13.47

 

[peaks]

The Identity Store in Matlock do bags of leather off cuts at various prices - as well as tools etc. http://www.theidentitystore.co.uk/

I also buy stuff from here - http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Leather-and-Stuff-UK Check out the off cuts and the Starter Kit (under Gifts)

No affiliation to either store, just a happy customer

 

[mountainm]

Goodsjapan is another good site for kit.

 

[peaks]

+1 for GoodsJapan. Excellent kit

 

[Baelfore]

some of Al Stolman's books (art of handsewing leather, how to make leather cases vol 1-3) would be a great place to start.

also regarding the overstich wheel, handy to have, but for just starting a fork will mark your holes just as well.

hope this helps.
Ste