patterns

[carbon]

How do I trace a pattern from a piece of paper on to the leather? I'm really new.

[pete]

trace the pattern onto "vellum" available at any stationary store r tandy, Hidecrafter, etc. If you use reg tracing paper on wet/cased leather it will stick, pucker, etc all the things you don't want!

Use a ball point pen that is out of ink, a stylus, anything that is a fine point but not sharp if you don't have many tools yet.

After you case the leather it doesn't take much pressure to get a nice tracing on the leather- then carve away!

pete

[ClayB]

To trace your pattern onto the leather, your leather has to be damp. This is called "casing". There has been a lot of discussion on different casing methods on the forum, and if you use the search function, you should be able to find them. The simplest way is to wet the leather with a sponge, or dunk it quickly in a bowl of water. Then you have to wait until the water spreads evenly throughout the leather and starts to turn back to it's original color. When the leather has proper moisture, you are ready to transfer the pattern. You can use a tracing stylus or any dull pointed instrument like an empty pen to trace the pattern onto the leather. There are a couple problems with tracing it directly off of a piece of paper. The first is that paper gets damp and can start to tear. The second is it's hard to tell if you have the pattern centered on the leather correctly, and if you have all the lines from the paper copied onto the leather because you cant see through the paper. You can buy tracing film from most stores that sell leather supplies. Tracing film is transparent so you can see through it, and wont fall apart when it gets damp. There are other things that can be used instead like velum, wax paper, or putting your pattern in a plastic page protector before starting to transfer it to the leather. As you are transfering the pattern, make sure it doesn't move around. Lift a corner of the pattern to check and make sure you have all the lines copied before you take the pattern off. If your leather is too dry, it will be hard to impress the lines into it. If it is too wet, the lines will not work either, as the leather dries out, the lines will fade away. If your moisture is right, it will take the impressions easily without much pressure and they will show as dark lines that will be easy to see.

Hope this helps some.

[electrathon]

I photocopy the patterns onto transparancy paper (like used for overhead projectors) WITH A LASER PRINTER! They are tough, can be used over and are totally clear so you can see what you have done.

[sdkid]

I photocopy the patterns onto transparancy paper (like used for overhead projectors) WITH A LASER PRINTER! They are tough, can be used over and are totally clear so you can see what you have done.

Can you get the transparancy paper at a walmart type store? Or is it a office supply store item?

[electrathon]

Not sure about Walmart, but it is only a semi-specialty item. You should be able to find it without too much trouble.

On another note, photocopiers arel laser. Just do not use an inkjet off of your home computer (the inks will run when they get wet).

[wildland]

Not sure about Walmart, but it is only a semi-specialty item. You should be able to find it without too much trouble.

On another note, photocopiers arel laser. Just do not use an inkjet off of your home computer (the inks will run when they get wet).

You also need to make sure the transparency is made for a laser printer of photo copier. otherwise you can destroy the transfer roller in the copier or printer. The transfer roller only cost anywhere from $500 to $900 to replace.

It will say on the package if it safe for a laser printer and if its safe for a laser printer it will be safe for a copier.

[tashabear]

You can use mylar tracing film (available at Tandy, for one), you can use inkjet vellum (available at Staples), which is a trick I learned from Jim Linnell, or you can use regular paper. Yup, I said it, regular paper.

You have to cover it in packing tape, though. :-D

[wildrose]

When I was volunteering with 4H, the kids actually used cereal bags, cut into pieces. Good recycling!

[cem]

or you can use regular paper. Yup, I said it, regular paper.

You have to cover it in packing tape, though. :-D

Or Contact (adhesive book covering material) not sure if you guys call it something else overseas.