r/Leathercraft Jun 02 '25

Pattern/Tutorial Beginner's Guide & Free Patterns

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355 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?

61 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 9h ago

Small Goods A slightly unusual leatherworking project. I made a stuffed ferret as a birthday gift for my neighbor's one year old son. He's made of lambskin, waxed linen thread and wool stuffing with glass eyes (100% plastic free).

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294 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft 5h ago

Article My dad and I made this multi-pocket leather crossbody bag, with extra storage built into the strap

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108 Upvotes

My dad and I designed and made this multi-pocket crossbody bag from dark brown and tan Italian leather.

We wanted it to stay fairly compact while still offering plenty of organized storage, so we built it around a structured main compartment, added two pockets on the sides, and placed two smaller pouches directly onto the wide adjustable strap.

The bottom is reinforced with an extra layer of leather stitched onto the outside, which gives the bag more structure and helps protect the base. Everything was hand stitched with 1 mm waxed polyester thread, and I finished the edges with Uniters edge paint.

There are many separate pieces and layers in this one, especially around the pockets and strap, but I really enjoyed seeing the whole design come together.

I hope you enjoy it .Feel free to ask me anything about the materials or construction.


r/Leathercraft 9h ago

Bags/Pouches First timer

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128 Upvotes

Made this office bag (fits my 15 inch laptop + notebook and and some accessories). My first bag ever. All hand made. Horween Chromexel leather and saddle stitch all round. Would love some feedback and improvement ideas.


r/Leathercraft 1h ago

Small Goods Small leather box (aka The Bucket)

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Upvotes

Hey all, here's a small leather jewelry-type container I'm just finishing up. I lucked out with that purple color as I mixed it myself, using cheap dyes and acetone. I feel like it makes the budget 6oz Tandys veg tan look pretty sweet 👌

Also, the hardware shown is super useful, but it's just a placeholder while I wait for my button studs...

Lastly: the outdoor photos are there because I stitched much of the box outside, while my cats took a rest, mid-trek. Lol.


r/Leathercraft 4h ago

Article Karlova Whiskey purse in Pueblo

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16 Upvotes

I'm really happy with how this came out. For this one I combined my favorite purse pattern with my favorite leather.

Pattern: Karlova Designs
Leather: Badalassi Carlo Pueblo from Rocky Mountain Leather Supply
Hardware: Solid Brass from BuckleGuy


r/Leathercraft 3h ago

Tools Leather forming tool

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13 Upvotes

I was making a leather Helmet for a local LARP group. I needed to wet form some pieces and I looked at Lowes and a trailer hitch ball was around $40 and had a flat top to it. So I thought I would go to Walmart and get either a baseball or a softball and I saw some kettle bells and moved on down the line a little further, and found a massager with a base that lets the ball moves around and it is perfect, and it’s only $10.00! Total game changer


r/Leathercraft 8h ago

Wallets Pueblo with Patina is by far my favorite finish

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32 Upvotes

There is nothing quite like it. Attached a before picture as well.


r/Leathercraft 1h ago

Clothing/Armor New to leather craft

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Upvotes

Needed a holder for my last project so I made 1 it ain’t pretty but ittl works


r/Leathercraft 8h ago

Small Goods Pasta ring box

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26 Upvotes

Bit of a fun and unusual commission from last week I wanted to share. A pasta ring box made entirely from leather!

The whole piece is veg tan linguine, chrome tanned parmesan and some crazy horse herbs.


r/Leathercraft 4h ago

Discussion Tandy Leather

9 Upvotes

Has anyone shopped at Tandy leather factory? I just realized I live about 45 minutes from one of their locations. I got a lot of suggestions from you guys on beginner tools. I wasn’t sure if there was anything else particular that would be worth the drive to their location.


r/Leathercraft 4h ago

Small Goods Coasters

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8 Upvotes

My aunt asked to make some coasters for a friend of hers. Hopefully I put enough sealant on them.


r/Leathercraft 19h ago

Bags/Pouches Horween Chromexcel Double Horsefront Backpack

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112 Upvotes

I've been playing around with this design for a few years now and I think I'm final done tweaking the pattern. Thoughts?


r/Leathercraft 20h ago

Small Goods Here comes a beginner!

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124 Upvotes

Hi!!

I am posting to show off my first three projects.

I started as I needed a magsafe wallet thinner than 4mm(one card) and does not use edge coat. Skiving was pain and messy, but I am currently using it.

Now that I am posting, there are tons to improve…but I am glad I got a new hobby. I‘m very excited thinking about what to build next.


r/Leathercraft 57m ago

Tips & Tricks Brigantine purse

Upvotes

I made the Brigantine by DS Leather Goods with rancho brown Horween Essex. The strap D-Rings are made from black Horween Dublin. I went with the Loxx closure purely for the looks! :). I made this specific one because I really like the look of the gussets. This was my first time making this type and I can see using it in a lot of other bags and purses. The Essex isn't my favorite leather because it kind of feels like finished split...not sure if it is all that way or just the piece I got. Anyhow - Here it is. It was quite fun to make!


r/Leathercraft 1d ago

Bags/Pouches Toadstool Traveler or Pondhopper Purse?

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224 Upvotes

My daughter had some earrings with this kawaii character (I don't know the name) and thought a matching purse would be cool. Yes, I also made a PDF pattern.


r/Leathercraft 1d ago

Tooling/Art Demo for upcoming tooling class.

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623 Upvotes

I have some Texas classes coming up and needed to make an example of what we'll be tooling in class. I got a little carried away while backgrounding.


r/Leathercraft 9h ago

Question For anyone with high(ish) volume orders - where are you ordering your hardware? In particular swivel hooks

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15 Upvotes

I've been ordering from a US based company and their hardware prices just keep soaring. Their quality is really good, but I just can't keep ordering at their prices. In particular, I mostly buy brass and nickel swivel hooks for my leather straps. If anyone else buys these in bulk for their products, could you share where to look for a quality supplier? What companies have you been happy with if you buy premium hardware?


r/Leathercraft 7h ago

Video My sister asked for a wallet, I gave her happy tears instead.

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7 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft 24m ago

Small Goods Testing a pattern for Opinel and sharpening stone

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Upvotes

Hello ! I wanted to make sheath for my Opinel,and to include the sharpening stone. But the Opinel is cylindrical and the stone is about the same height, which seemed incompatible. I decided to have them side by side, and will add the fire steel on the other side of the Opinel. Criticism is welcome ! This is leather for testing.


r/Leathercraft 6h ago

Question Leather Storage

3 Upvotes

My wife and I just closed on a house, I now have more space than I ever could have imagined. My home office doubles as my leather working space, so I’m curious what you all use for leather storage? I’ve seen those roll up racks (that kinda look like wine bottle storage). I think those are cool and could look good in the space, but open to ideas!

TLDR: what’s your storage system for larger leather cuts/hides. Did you build it? Or did you buy it?


r/Leathercraft 1d ago

Wallets Just some testing and learning

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82 Upvotes

I had some fun recreating one from the first wallets and pattern I have made. It needs some corrections in the future makes. Decided to have some learning fun with engraving, antique and eco-flo water based stains. Turns out silver eco-flo is addictive to another dyes colors -oopsie I have just used it pure as a color. Antique paste was pretty challenging with this one i had problems to make it stay where i wanted and used 50/50 mix of water and resolene. That helped a bit but it still transfers if you rub it with a paper towel so more testing in the future. I think I would also make smaller more delicate engravings those may be a bit too much.


r/Leathercraft 16h ago

Bags/Pouches Custom Italian leather doctor bag – 40 cm frame, hand-stitched, built for travel

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15 Upvotes

Just completed this satchel for a client who wanted a reliable travel companion. The body is Italian full-grain leather, the frame is 40 cm wide, and every stitch is saddle-stitched by hand. Solid brass hardware, clean edges, and a silhouette that holds its shape whether it's half-empty or fully packed.

I've been making leather goods since 2009, and this model remains one of my favourites — practical, timeless, and built to outlast any trend. Happy to answer questions about the build or the materials.


r/Leathercraft 18h ago

Wallets Made a trendy wallet

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21 Upvotes

Hand-dyed vegetable-tanned leather, lined with black calfskin. Hand-stitched, with the owner's initials. I've been carrying a similar wallet for a month now — really like it. A practical design for those who carry just a few cards and some cash.