RussInVegas

howdy, just got this, new, and you can see by the pictures... It's a Jacaru Magpie 1153 made from cowhide, oiled leather... Any suggestions on how I can fix this Other than reinforcing the inside of the hat with more leather?

Think I smoked some when I was a kid...

By the way, this guy has a LOT of really weird leather masks & stuff on this site... Not my 'bag', but seems to be fashionable & expensive

I found the pattern on Etsy... I'll give you a link for a dollar - just kidding... Here it is below... I'll toss in the words "Steampunk Hat" for those searching that phrase... Russ https://www.etsy.com/listing/270016942/leather-top-hat-pattern-diy-leather?ref=hp_rv

Newbie question again... i just bought a pattern of a hat I want to make & it brought up a question I haven't figured out yet... How do I make veg tanned leather a lighter color than it already is? Is it painting instead of dying, starting with a different type of leather, etc? heres a pic of the hat I bought the pattern for - I really like the orange leather underside the brim & might even(after I get it right a few times) try orange laces too... thanks, Russ

Hmm... I looked at the first photo for a few minutes before I realized they were even wearing hats!

That did it, thanks! I'm not a big forum guy, this is pretty new to me... thanks again, Russ

Howdy - ive used the 'search' on this site trying to find info on making a leather hat - I've tried several search phrases including just the word "Hat" and keep coming up with zero search results... With the tens of thousands of posts on this site I'm coming up with nothing... I have to believe I'm doing something wrong. anyone have any links, or ideas, on hat-making? I'm mostly looking for ideas/tutorials on making a Bushman's hat, Cowboy hat, Fedora, etc... thanks in in advance for any help - Russ

Greetings, I'm a NEWBIE & am looking for recommendations on a good starter kit. I mostly want to get into making cases, holsters, sheathes, purses & bags, and MAYBE do a little stamping/design work... I DONT want to run down to Tandy Leather and by a 'Starter Kit" that I'll outgrow in a short while - I'd prefer to by quality tools that will last & am asking if anyone could make some suggestions on what I should get first, or if there is a 'kit' out there that is of excellent quality & has what I need to really get started - Thanks, RussInVegas

Howdy... im an absolute beginner & am reaching out to see if there are any members in Vegas/Henderson who'd like to meet... I'm interested in learning & would love to see a project in progress & a working shop & to pick your brain... hope me to hear from someone local RussInVegas

Howdy, absolute beginner here with a question... ive found a great resource for CHEAP leather... Goodwill - I recently bought a full-sized leather couch for the leather - cushions were crap but the back of the couch pristine... LOTS of big pieces... Here's my question... other than using this leather for something simple like making a book cover or something flat, can this leather be used for more complex work like molding it into something 3D? I know NOTHING about leatherwork, that's why I'm here - because there's some stuff I want to make & would rather make my beginning mistakes on affordable leather. im mostly interested in making custom harmonica cases with some custom touches - below are some photos I pulled off the Internet of an artist that's these 3D faces on purses & such. I want to make harmonica cases with this same wrinkled look, but I don't know if the leather will hold its shape because it must have been previously treated with something when they made the couch, hence "used" leather... Nor do I know how the leather us to keep its shape after its originally molded... can anyone recommend a good link, YouTube perhaps, that shows a process that will help me create this type of look? thanks, RussInVegas - here are some photos of the look I'm going for... Sorta