Chavez

Thanks! Would any packaging tape do the job?

Hi Melbur, I'm also very new to the leather, but I can really recommend the Valerie Michael's "Leatherworking handbook". There's a chapter that explains different leather thickness and leather from different parts of an animal. Stohlman's books mentioned above are a must-have too

Hi! I'm completely new to leathercraft and I have just finished carving my 3rd project. The leather (4oz) seems to stretch around the tooled areas, deforming the leather piece. I've seem somebody advising to use rubber cement to glue the piece to some cardboard before tooling to stop the stretch. Is "rubber cement" the same thing as PVA glue? Are there any other easy ways to stop leather from stretching? Thank you!

Sorry, I'll cut into your thread with more noob questions: Is carnauba cream a final polish or does it need to be sealed over? At the moment I'm using the following method: 1) Case & slick 2) Oil with EVOO 3) Dye & buff 4) Apply resolene & buff. The resolene seems to make the leather look a bit like plastic. I've started cutting it 50/50 with water so now the look has improved a bit. I have been advised that carnauba is a great finish that does not kill the "leather" look, but Its not waterproof. Would carnauba go instead of resolene in the process above? Also a question about edge coating: do I apply the adge kote after I have sealed the item with resolene? Thanks for your help!!!

Thanks. What's the problem with magnets that you're talking about?

Thanks. I only have 4oz leather and I was thinking about 1 layer only. I thought I'd try to install something like this: http://leprevo.co.uk/photos/magnetic-catch-goods.html but now when you confirmed that the phone is likely to get scratched, I'd have to think of something else. I can try skiving the leather and making 2 layers on the front side but I'll still have a stitch on the inside which is likely to leave scratches. I probably should just buy some 2oz leather as I'll need it for future projects anyway.

Hi! I've seen a few belt-clip iphone case designs here and some of them seem to have snaps. Are there any chances that the back of the snap(inside the case) will scratch the phone? Is there a special way to install them? I was thinking of sewing in a magnet flap but I worry that he thread on the inside of the case might scratch the screen Am I just being paranoid? Thanks!

Hi! I've only recently got interested in leatherwork so decided to give it a try and got myself a "budget" tandy stitching set. The awl turned out to be rather blunt, so it was very hard to stab the leather. I've sharpened the awl, but what about the stitching wheel? Does the edge need to be sharpened to cut the leather or is the bluntish one ok because I just need to mark the points for future holes? Thank you!

Thank you all for your answers. Ordered everything I need to start carving & sewing. Where can I find some basic patterns that would be good for learning how to use the 7 basic stamping tools?

Thank you. Single colour is what I'm looking for. Black, dark brown, saddle tan & dark mahogany is all I need to be happy =) Well, now I just need to wait for all the stuff to arrive and I can start crafting.

Thanks - will order the cases book after some stitching practice. I did not realise that I'd have to work with unfinished leather =) Is the eco-flow all-in-one any good as a paint/finish for a beginner? And can somebody please recommend a book on braiding (and making whips)? Thanks again!

Thank you for the advice! Any other must-read leatherwork books for a beginner?

Hi! I've just recently got interested in leatherwork and I would be grateful if you could point me in the right direction. I've had some limited braiding experience before, however, I'm looking to stitch a few things and try some tooling. Thinking of making a simple wallet as a starter project and then practicing on other items. The ultimate goal is a briefcase. I have ordered some essential stitching tools & the Stohlman's book on stitching. What sort of leather (in mm & oz) do I need to buy for a plain wallet (I'd prefer if the leather was a bit on the thick & sturdy side)? As far as I understand, not all leather can be used for tooling. What should I look for when I'm choosing tooling leather? What are the best places to order leather from in the UK (Scotland)? Thank you!