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Hey everyone! I'm so grateful to this forum! I've learned so much in the last year or so that I've been working with leather. It started out as a hobby to support my 8 Dogo Argentinos collars, gear, toys, and leashes...buy last holiday season I created a Jingle Bell Collar out of BioThane (Thank God for my leather working skills as that stuff is the devil to work with over and over...) I prefer Leather but man people love that collar and so I've also been commissioned to create some leather collars for dogs. I like giving gifts to folks as well. Sharing is a gift for me!!! I'd love some tips and advice if yall have any? When I've needed help, I come here and always find my answer. Thankful for all of you! I'll post some pics of the leather collars I've made. They're not typical... but then...neither am I lol. Thank you much! Keri Costello www.smtdogo.com

Hello everyone I am starting a new adventure and I am making leather collars and leashes for dogs. I am currently sewing them by hand but I would like to invest in a good/resistant sewing machine. I am definitely not an expert and online I am find a lot of different opinions about this topic that are a little confusing. What would you recommend buying for a first timer? I am looking around on e-bay and similar websites and for my budget (500-600 CAD) I only seem to find Omega machines (to be precise model 307 or Walking foot WF24LNZZ). Just to be completely transparent, I am planning to sew thickness of 3oz / 3.5oz natural leather and/or 3oz of natural leather plus a padding of 0.8/1oz soft leather and some foam. Thank you so much for your help!

I read so much about the different types of leather, weights of same, and more, about best leather to use and leather not to use for dog collars, dog leads, harness for pets, etc; and would like to know the feelings of those on the site as to what they really feel is best to use for these products. I have heard of some folks using bellies, others that say no bellies, some saying backs and others questioning that as well. Bellies stretching to much, backs sometimes a bit rigid, and more. Would really like to get some opinions as to best all around leather to use, methods of fastening, and any other information that might be of benefit for those of us making such items. I have made a few without problems and have addressed a few safety issues that involve strength of leads and fasteners used for various collars and leads. I may be correct in my thinking, based on my experience but others I'm sure, have great information they could share with us on the site. Hope I receive a lot of response and know that there are many of you that are very talented and have produced some magnificent items that I hope you will share. God Bless. Ray

Hello, I've looked at Aliexpress, Alibaba, Google searches, but cannot find 16mm x 10mm slip keepers (or keeper loops)- in metal, not plastic, for small dog collar. Would anyone have an idea where a supplier might be hiding? Thanks so much! =o)

Ok since starting back up on my chainmail I have been running into a few clients, more every day it seems, that have metal allergies. Some are allergic to copper, some nickel and two clients that are allergic to all metals expect sterling silver and gold (my favourite clients as its top dollar lol). I have been telling a few of them that I will be branching out into leather work soon and wondered what kind of items they would like to see and or buy, once I feel the products that I am making are worth selling. A few want collars (for humans not pets with four legs) and a few said bracelets to match the chainmail bracelets that I already make. So my question is what would be the best kind of lining to use on the back side of the collars and bracelets to cover up the back of the rivets, snaps, conchos and the like? Keep in mind that these items will be worn against direct skin for the most part, especially the collars, so would I need to treat the back with something just to help preserve it against human sweat or should I just leave it be? I was thinking pig skin might work nicely as a backing. All thoughts and ideas are greatly appreciated! The pic is just a small set of chainmail bracelets that I do, might even lay them down on top of some tooled leather once I figure out how I want to attach them.

Hello all! I’ve been pouring over the forums, finding lots of good tips and hints, interesting info and the like. It definitely seems like this is the most informative place out there for leatherworking questions! That being said, I’m a newbie to leather working, though I’ve wanted to try for years. I recently broke down and bought a lot of the starting tools for what I want to do, which is create dog products like collars and leashes. I’ve been making paracord items for the last bit and want to expand my talents/ hobby so to speak! I’d eventually like to make my own dog a service dog harness since vests tend to rotate around his deep but narrow body! But that will come in the future. Now I have a few questions, some are related to other threads I’ve found but such threads were also around 3-4 years old, so I figured I’d have better luck creating a new post in this newbie area! So here are my questions: I am interested in learning how to line collars, is there a tutorial out there on how to do this? Also with that in mind what is the best leather to use to line dog collars? I see things like harnesses padded with a wool type material, is this usual sheep skin? Is there a place that I can buy and/or download patterns for harnesses, and sight hound collars? What would be some good books to read about making dog items? What are the best braiding books? Any handy tutorials on dog collar/leash making? Any suggestions would be helpful! I have a nice base idea of what I’m wanting to do,but since I’m best at following tutorials and patterns then modifying once I have basics done on any craftsy thing, I figured I’d ask.Paracord tutorials are EVERYWHERE but the leather stuff seems to be a closely guarded secret! Thanks in advance!

I have been using gum trag to finish the edges on all my other products, and it works alright. I was considering trying out fiebings saddle soap instead, to see how it works, but I recently heard that some animals might be allergic to glycerine, and I will be making some dog collars. So, does fiebings saddle soap have glycerine in it? Is it true that some animals might be allergic to it? If anyone has had any experiences with this, that would be very helpful. Also, as always, if there are any better/safer methods, feel free to advise! Thanks Zayne

KIN COLLARS https://www.etsy.com/shop/KinCollars I have recently (over the last two months or so) started making dog collars. I don't have a sewing machine for sewing the edges but I think they're okay without the stitch? What do you think? Would love any feedback and for you all to have a look at my new etsy page. Am totally addicting to leather making now...building up my inventory of tools etc is fun! (And expensive!!) I also have a Facebook page if you'd like to see my updates at: https://www.facebook.com/KinCollars View more and/or shop at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KinCollars

I'm not, but it turned out ok.

I am starting my business to sell our hand made inside stitch collars and leashes made of Italian leather and soon Elk leather from Sweden and Finland. We focus on quality leather and comfort for our dogs. The inside stitching gives the product a good finish in that no stitching is visible on the outside and no edges to bother the pet. Inside the round collar or leash is a nylon string to keep the product strong. What do you guys think of our products? I would really appreciate your opinion. www.timelypetsuppliesusa.com Thank you, Anita