advice about leather?

[7 miles]

I inherited some leather working tools from my cousin , and would like to try a couple of htings. I was thinking about starting with a sporran and maybe trying some other things. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[cavscout]

Since you have the tools, just jump in and experiment. Here's a pattern for a sporran for starters.

http://www.nwta.com/patterns/pdfs/291sporr.pdf

Have fun!

[Tartan Hiker]

If you have no previous experience, I'd have to recommend some starter books from Tandy Leather. "Hand Stitching Leather" by Al Stolman is the classic starter work, and it will save you a lot of time and wasted effort.

[cwr89]

I am not that great with leather, though I did get my leather work merit badge in boy scouts some 5 years ago hehe. I have however made a sporran of that pattern that cavscout posted. its not bad, I ended up doing mine in canvas because my palms wouldn't hold up to the stitching needles (I didn't have all the right tools)

this is what I came up with:



I'd say go get yourself some scrap to practice with first. and HAVE FUN!

~Casey

[Lyrd]

Cavscout pretty much stole my advice. Get some good patterns and just jump in. I've done some leather working and alot of good leatherworking comes from nothing more then ruining alot of leather. So buy some cheap leather, odd sizes..off color..misscured stuff and just practice. In no time at all you will gain enough confidence to buy some good stuff and make a work of art. I love working with leather...i should start again. Be good for my blood pressure i'm sure.

[kfreeouf]

I agree with Tartan Hiker. Get to a Tandy Store. Most of the folks who work there know enough to help you get started. It wouldn't be a bad idea to take a list of the tools you have so you don't buy something you don't need.
Good luck and good for you!
Keith

[7 miles]

I want to thank you all for all the great advice. If i ever get any pics i will post them.

[A Hay]

Some others have already posted good advice. I'll toss my two cents in to add a bit more.

Tandy leather stores are good for materials and advice if one is located nearby. You can also find them on-line by searching and order from their catalogue.

If you just want to cut out a pattern and sew the parts together, you don't need much in the way of tools.

If you want to go further, and carve and stamp patterns into leather, then you need to have the right leather, usually a vegetable tanned skin. Usually about 1/8 th inch thick or slightly under. Pre-dyed leather usually won't work.

For tools, the minimum might be a swivel knife, a tool called a beveler, and a stylus. You can see these on the Tandy website and check if you have them in your inherited tool set. There are many specialized stamps, but they are not essential to simple designs.

Good luck. If you have specific questions, there are many well qualified leatherworkers here on X Marks.

Tom

[Cat]

I'd also like to add that you may want to go to a Tandy store and grab a bunch of random remnant pieces from their remnant bins. They're dirt cheap, and will give you a feel for working with different types and weights of leather. You can practice punching holes, stitching, dyeing (btw, black leather dye WILL NEVER COME OFF OF ANYTHING IT TOUCHES!;-) They often also sell remnant bags for about $8 with a pound or two of various pieces of leather in it. Leather work really isn't all that hard, but it helps to get used to the tools you have and how to use them before you potentially mess up an $80 hide or something. I also second the Al Stohlman book (any of his books, actually.)

[Donnie]

Practice, practice, practice. Get good advice (Tandy again) and do the aforementioned!