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Hey there! Sorry if this has already been asked, but nothing really came up in the search. I'm looking to make a truck center console cover, first for myself, and then potentially offering them through my business depending on how it goes. I just can't find any guide or how-to, and when I attempt to take measurements and make a paper pattern and tape it together (alloting for seam differences) it still comes out wonky. I am not against using a fabric sleeve so that only the top is tooled, but I would like to learn how to make both. Thank you in advance!

I put together a really quick project that will be easy to complete for kids about 8 years old and up. Younger kids might need some help with the stitching. The samples are all from suede scraps I got from donations, but veg-tan leather would allow more design and finish options. If you have a large circular punch, use it to cut the notches for the swivel hardware. I chose to punch the stitching holes with a diamond chisel set (mounted on an arbor press to reduce injuries and catastrophic mistakes.) There isn't much stitching, so the project will take an adult minutes and a child should be able to design and assemble in an hour. Dimensions are in the photo, 8" long by 1.75" wide. Cut the notch to fit your hardware. These make great gifts for clipping onto backpack or purse and may appeal to kids uninterested in knife pouches or with groups that discourage pocketknives.

Hi Looking to hire a reliable and experienced LeatherWorker to develop a sample line of handbags and backpacks. Please contact me rjn707@gmail.com Subject: LeatherWorker Thank you

Hey guys, this is just another video of me making one of my wallets, this time a Leather Card Sleeve. The video is a much shorter one, not a tutorial per se, more of an entertainment video for those who like to watch, hope you guys like it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VB_br0q1cG8&t=7s

New Bag I finished for a customer. Its not for everyone, but he asked for it and it came out nice I think. False buckle with parachute clip behind buckle strap. So buckle is secured but it quick releases which is cool.

I started on a new project yesterday, so I thought I'd post some progress photos as I went along to keep me moving. If I'm making obvious mistakes along the way, feel free to say something! Positive comments welcome too, as always. Yesterday, I cut the body for the project from purple leather. I'll line it with chocolate suede. Discovered skiving suede makes for weak edges, so I had to make abrupt short skives. Anyone have experience with this or better suggestions? Also started with Chocolate dye on some veg tan pieces. Treating the leather today. YinTx

Here are a couple photos of the Celtic knotwork belt I just finished. Shown with it is a belt pouch I also made, though that was a while ago.

So I finally gave in and tried selling one of my leather projects on Etsy, a tooled leather belt, every aspect of it hand done, and I put it up to sell to help fund my other leather purchases as I am living on a college budget, but my issue is it hasn;t sold yet and I am wondering if there is something that is unappealing about it, is the price to high? The workmanship not good enough? Or could it be just that I don't have a reputable name yet. Looking for any comments or advice, good and bad. Please let me know. Here's the link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/222050831/handmade-western-floral-hand-tooled?ref=shop_home_active_2

Hello everyone! I'm rather new around here, and after reading a bit and getting some practice with spare leather pieces I decided to begin the real work by making a simple wallet. I'd like to show all the steps here to help other beginners like me and, more importantly, ask doubts to all the kind, handsome, wise and experienced craftsmen around :-) 1 - Choices, choices... I found a simple and nice folding wallet that I liked at a shop in my neighborhood. After silently staring at it like a lunatic for about 45 minutes I made a little sketch : 1.1-Material I'm on a mariana-trench-level budget but I got some ok scraps from a tanner (Is that how it's called?? Where they sell leather hides?? :-S ), some black ones and a big beige piece. No idea of the animal or type, but they'll do right now :-) It's not a very thick material so I won't be sewing by hand, but by machine. I'll try to follow this type of process: That means skiving the leather to finish the sides, either with a hand tool or using a dremel. QUESTION: In the video they use "water based glue". Any idea of which could that be? I'll be using a regular one that I can find easily, anyway. FABRIC: Should I use cotton, nylon, polyester...? All the wallets I've looked into seem to have some kind of nylon fabric. Next steps: drawing the pattern (using autocad), uploading some photos of the leather.

(I was told this was the right area to post this in, so sorry for those who see this as a doublepost.) Hello! So, this is my first post on leatherworker.net, and I have quite a few questions regarding leather weight, purchase inquiries, leather types, and copper rivets. But first, some background... My name is Caracal Keithrafferty, and I'm located right by Milwaukee, WI. I made my first large purchase of leather tools, dyes, and hardware late last summer. The tools I have are: Knives V-Gouge Awl Edge Beveler (Sz. 3) Parallel Stitch Groover 2 Overstitch Wheels (Sz. 5 + 6) Bone Folder Edge Slicker Wood Hammer (I was considering an epoxy or rubber hammer; can't afford a good rawhide one) 2 cutting mats Dyes and liquids (and related items) I have are: Wool Daubers EvoStik Time Bond Contact Adhesive (haven't used it; not really sure when, how, or where one would use it) Carnauba Creme Gum Tragacanth Tan-Kote Neatsfoot Oil (Never used it, not quite sure what it's for) Leather Sheen 8 different dyes Hardware (and related items) I have are: Lots of scrap leather from Hobby Lobby; mostly small pieces. A couple different hammering tools 2 small anvils (one is damaged) O-Rings D-Rings TIny buckles Various rivets *Note: To describe the rivets and other hardware further might be challenging. I know I have some snaps, and I can set those properly. I have many tiny eyelets (the ones that mushroom out; one piece). I have a couple of grommets (2 pieces, brass look to them), but I don't believe I have any of the necessary setting tools. I have some single cap rivets I believe, but they are missing the male end I believe. I used all my copper rivets; even with improper tools, I made use of them (and I plan to purchase many more in the future. Any suggestions on what I'd want?). Aside from those, I have some other ones I'll call mystery rivets... I've got some that are long tubes (7/16 inch or so) that are unthreaded on the inside. I'm not sure how they're used. I've got other ones that look like grommets, but are non-flowering like the eyelets, and have a short shaft. I don't know if they're part of something. There's another kind that seems similar in for to the snaps, but is missing a 4th piece. They are definitely different from the standard ones; one cap has a little piece of metal lifted up, another part has tiny holes and grooves on it, maybe implying that it's supposed to change shape when tooled. Another kind I have are only few in number, but they're flat-bottomed, have a moderate/small sized shaft, and have a tiny hole at the end of the shaft. Lastly, I've got some solid ones that I have no idea how to set. They have long shafts, end in a dome on one end, and about 2/3 of the way down from the dome have a disc solidly on the item. It may be related to a Sam Brown rivet, but I am unsure. I also have several split pins, but I don't know if they're related to leatherworking at all. Those are all the leatherworking related items I have at my disposal currently. I do not know how to sew leather, and I am not quite sure where to start. All the items I've seen sewn so far have been with very thin leather, and I hardly to never work with thin leather. Can anyone suggest some hand tools for me to use? I did some brief research and though about buying, but I have no idea where to start. I cannot afford machinery, but hand tools might work. I have dyed some leather a fair amount, and I've learned how to smooth edges and backs of leather well enough. So, as far as that goes, I have down the technique, just not the perfection. I can hammer rivets well, and I can cut leather just fine. But what I need now is information on leather weight, proper leather types, and other items needed for making basic armor for LARPing. I've got a friend who wants me to make him some armor. It doesn't need to protect much, and he's seeking form over function. I also want to sell at other LARPing conventions. More details on armor: My friend Geoff has commissioned me to make him a set of armor consisting of: pauldrons (shoulder armor) that go from arm-to-arm over the shoulders, covering the arms up to the elbows; greaves (shin armor) that go up to the knees, but don't cover them too much (I have this part mostly done, should I post photos?); sabatons (foot armor) that cover the instep of the foot, and covers the ankle bone on either side; and that largest part being the breastplate (front body armor), which only needs to cover the chest, the belly, part of the sides, the collarbone, and little to none of the lower back. He also told me that a long term project I could do with him would be a plumed helmet. Another one would be a Romanesque skirt. The overall look he's going for would be somewhat similar to a roman soldier with a mix of some medieval aspects. It does not need to be historically correct, just similar in its look. What I'm not worried about is making the whole project aesthetically pleasing. Geoff said he doesn't mind nicks and damages to the leather, as long as the overall product is good. It can be made of lots of straps and things on it without much worry. What matters is that it looks good, fits semi-comfortably, and is thick enough to protect against foam swords (they can actually hit fairly hard, should I get 7-8, 8-9, or 9-10 oz leather?) For reference, Geoff is a pretty big guy; he's about 6' 2" and weighs around 230 lbs. What I seek to learn: What I really need to know now is what kind of leather I should purchase. To cover the pauldrons, sabatons, and breastplate, I hope to spend less than $175 on leather. I'd like to purchase leather that's bleached or white so I can dye it easily to my liking. So, what suggested weight (oz) leather should I grab, what specific type of leather should I grab (rawhide?), and where should I get it? I have a Federal Tax ID #, so I can purchase from wholesale suppliers, but I don't know if I'd be purchasing enough for the venture to be worth it, or if I should just stick with eBay or wherever you guys suggest. I currently have only a catalog from Weaver (thoughts on the company?), and I'm curious where I should go from here. Overall list of questions: Important: What leather weight do I want for making pauldrons, sabatons, and a breastplate? What type of leather do I want for making pauldrons, sabatons, and a breastplate? What amount of leather would I want for making pauldrons, sabatons, and a breastplate? Where should I purchase my leather? What other leather related items should I purchase? Not as important, but still curious: Should I post pictures of my leather progress and various works? Should I post pictures of the mystery rivets? What tools should I get for copper rivets? When is leather adhesive used? When is stitching used in leatherwork? Is stitching the same as sewing (if not, when is sewing used in leatherwork?)? Any ideas on what the mystery rivets were? (Sorry if some questions seem like they can just be googled; I really prefer to ask people because it allows me to respond for clarification.) Thanks much for reading all this. If any parts need clarifying, please let me know! This is a large project for me, and I hope to learn a lot from it!

Hello! So, this is my first post on leatherworker.net, and I have quite a few questions regarding leather weight, purchase inquiries, leather types, and copper rivets. But first, some background... My name is Caracal Keithrafferty, and I'm located right by Milwaukee, WI. I made my first large purchase of leather tools, dyes, and hardware late last summer. The tools I have are: Knives V-Gouge Awl Edge Beveler (Sz. 3) Parallel Stitch Groover 2 Overstitch Wheels (Sz. 5 + 6) Bone Folder Edge Slicker Wood Hammer (I was considering an epoxy or rubber hammer; can't afford a good rawhide one) 2 cutting mats Dyes and liquids (and related items) I have are: Wool Daubers EvoStik Time Bond Contact Adhesive (haven't used it; not really sure when, how, or where one would use it) Carnauba Creme Gum Tragacanth Tan-Kote Neatsfoot Oil (Never used it, not quite sure what it's for) Leather Sheen 8 different dyes Hardware (and related items) I have are: Lots of scrap leather from Hobby Lobby; mostly small pieces. A couple different hammering tools 2 small anvils (one is damaged) O-Rings D-Rings TIny buckles Various rivets *Note: To describe the rivets and other hardware further might be challenging. I know I have some snaps, and I can set those properly. I have many tiny eyelets (the ones that mushroom out; one piece). I have a couple of grommets (2 pieces, brass look to them), but I don't believe I have any of the necessary setting tools. I have some single cap rivets I believe, but they are missing the male end I believe. I used all my copper rivets; even with improper tools, I made use of them (and I plan to purchase many more in the future. Any suggestions on what I'd want?). Aside from those, I have some other ones I'll call mystery rivets... I've got some that are long tubes (7/16 inch or so) that are unthreaded on the inside. I'm not sure how they're used. I've got other ones that look like grommets, but are non-flowering like the eyelets, and have a short shaft. I don't know if they're part of something. There's another kind that seems similar in for to the snaps, but is missing a 4th piece. They are definitely different from the standard ones; one cap has a little piece of metal lifted up, another part has tiny holes and grooves on it, maybe implying that it's supposed to change shape when tooled. Another kind I have are only few in number, but they're flat-bottomed, have a moderate/small sized shaft, and have a tiny hole at the end of the shaft. Lastly, I've got some solid ones that I have no idea how to set. They have long shafts, end in a dome on one end, and about 2/3 of the way down from the dome have a disc solidly on the item. It may be related to a Sam Brown rivet, but I am unsure. I also have several split pins, but I don't know if they're related to leatherworking at all. Those are all the leatherworking related items I have at my disposal currently. I do not know how to sew leather, and I am not quite sure where to start. All the items I've seen sewn so far have been with very thin leather, and I hardly to never work with thin leather. Can anyone suggest some hand tools for me to use? I did some brief research and though about buying, but I have no idea where to start. I cannot afford machinery, but hand tools might work. I have dyed some leather a fair amount, and I've learned how to smooth edges and backs of leather well enough. So, as far as that goes, I have down the technique, just not the perfection. I can hammer rivets well, and I can cut leather just fine. But what I need now is information on leather weight, proper leather types, and other items needed for making basic armor for LARPing. I've got a friend who wants me to make him some armor. It doesn't need to protect much, and he's seeking form over function. I also want to sell at other LARPing conventions. More details on armor: My friend Geoff has commissioned me to make him a set of armor consisting of: pauldrons (shoulder armor) that go from arm-to-arm over the shoulders, covering the arms up to the elbows; greaves (shin armor) that go up to the knees, but don't cover them too much (I have this part mostly done, should I post photos?); sabatons (foot armor) that cover the instep of the foot, and covers the ankle bone on either side; and that largest part being the breastplate (front body armor), which only needs to cover the chest, the belly, part of the sides, the collarbone, and little to none of the lower back. He also told me that a long term project I could do with him would be a plumed helmet. Another one would be a Romanesque skirt. The overall look he's going for would be somewhat similar to a roman soldier with a mix of some medieval aspects. It does not need to be historically correct, just similar in its look. What I'm not worried about is making the whole project aesthetically pleasing. Geoff said he doesn't mind nicks and damages to the leather, as long as the overall product is good. It can be made of lots of straps and things on it without much worry. What matters is that it looks good, fits semi-comfortably, and is thick enough to protect against foam swords (they can actually hit fairly hard, should I get 7-8, 8-9, or 9-10 oz leather?) For reference, Geoff is a pretty big guy; he's about 6' 2" and weighs around 230 lbs. What I seek to learn: What I really need to know now is what kind of leather I should purchase. To cover the pauldrons, sabatons, and breastplate, I hope to spend less than $175 on leather. I'd like to purchase leather that's bleached or white so I can dye it easily to my liking. So, what suggested weight (oz) leather should I grab, what specific type of leather should I grab (rawhide?), and where should I get it? I have a Federal Tax ID #, so I can purchase from wholesale suppliers, but I don't know if I'd be purchasing enough for the venture to be worth it, or if I should just stick with eBay or wherever you guys suggest. I currently have only a catalog from Weaver (thoughts on the company?), and I'm curious where I should go from here. Overall list of questions: Important: What leather weight do I want for making pauldrons, sabatons, and a breastplate? What type of leather do I want for making pauldrons, sabatons, and a breastplate? What amount of leather would I want for making pauldrons, sabatons, and a breastplate? Where should I purchase my leather? What other leather related items should I purchase? Not as important, but still curious: Should I post pictures of my leather progress and various works? Should I post pictures of the mystery rivets? What tools should I get for copper rivets? When is leather adhesive used? When is stitching used in leatherwork? Is stitching the same as sewing (if not, when is sewing used in leatherwork?)? Any ideas on what the mystery rivets were? (Sorry if some questions seem like they can just be googled; I really prefer to ask people because it allows me to respond for clarification.) Thanks much for reading all this. If any parts need clarifying, please let me know! This is a large project for me, and I hope to learn a lot from it!