What Do I Need In Order To Make This?

[craftdaft]

Complete beginner to leatherworking here. I need to know what type of tools and supplies are needed in order to make something like this Corset and Bra . Of course this isn't the first leather item I will attempt to make, but I would like to go ahead and provide for my long-term goal before pouring tons of cash into practicing.

Also - is it just pointless to buy a leatherworking kit? I've searched through the Tandy site and the only kits I see that may be worth purchasing are ridiculously priced.

Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Just John]

 A basic starter kit would get you started.  Here is one from Tandy for $29.99. http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/55509-00.aspx  Doesn't get much cheaper than that. You can get the rivets and Leather (9 to 10oz) there also. Start with the small stuff then your corset.  Main thing is have fun.

John

[TomBanwell]

You only need a few tools:

Laser

Rivet setter

Paint brush

And for supplies:

Leather

Rivets

Dyes

The laser will cut the leather, including the rivet holes, and engrave the design. Then you just dye the parts with the brush, and rivet the pieces together.

[craftdaft]

A basic starter kit would get you started. Here is one from Tandy for $29.99. http://www.tandyleat...m/55509-00.aspx Doesn't get much cheaper than that. You can get the rivets and Leather (9 to 10oz) there also. Start with the small stuff then your corset. Main thing is have fun.

John

Thanks for the reply. As far as the amount of leather (and type) of leather that is required for the Tandy starter sets how did you come up with the amount of 9-10 oz.? Also what type of leather should I get? Sides?splits? pigskin? Lol! I'm seriously new to this...so I need details! ^_^

[craftdaft]

You only need a few tools:

Laser

Rivet setter

Paint brush

And for supplies:

Leather

Rivets

Dyes

The laser will cut the leather, including the rivet holes, and engrave the design. Then you just dye the parts with the brush, and rivet the pieces together.

Tom, thanks for your reply! What type of laser and rivet setter should I get? Do you know of any good, affordable ones?

Edited September 12, 2010 by craftdaft

[TomBanwell]

Tom, thanks for your reply! What type of laser and rivet setter should I get? Do you know of any good, affordable ones?

Good deals on lasers can be had at www.usedlasers.com. Tandy has a good rivet setter that they put on sale from time to time.

[Ferg]

Tom, thanks for your reply! What type of laser and rivet setter should I get? Do you know of any good, affordable ones?

My .02: You certainly do not need a laser to make holes, hand punches are relatively cheap.

5-7 oz. Leather for wallets and small items.

6-7 oz. for purses and notebook covers and items of that type.

The heavier weight leathers are for holsters, saddles, tack, etc.

2-3 oz. Lining leathers.

Vegetable tanned cowhide if you are going to do any tooling. Best all around part of the hide is the shoulders. You can buy Single (about 8 square feet) or Double Shoulders, (13 to 17 square feet) Tandy carries most anything you need for starters. One beginner kit is normally $200 on sale for $60. The very basic kit is normally $90 on sale for $30. Take your pick.

ferg

[craftdaft]

My .02: You certainly do not need a laser to make holes, hand punches are relatively cheap.

5-7 oz. Leather for wallets and small items.

6-7 oz. for purses and notebook covers and items of that type.

The heavier weight leathers are for holsters, saddles, tack, etc.

2-3 oz. Lining leathers.

Vegetable tanned cowhide if you are going to do any tooling. Best all around part of the hide is the shoulders. You can buy Single (about 8 square feet) or Double Shoulders, (13 to 17 square feet) Tandy carries most anything you need for starters. One beginner kit is normally $200 on sale for $60. The very basic kit is normally $90 on sale for $30. Take your pick.

ferg

Are there any estimates of how many individual projects 15-17 sg feet would produce?

I want to get a good deal on the leather that I buy, but it seems the only way to do that is to buy around 15 - 25 sq feet of it!

[whinewine]

Are there any estimates of how many individual projects 15-17 sg feet would produce?

I want to get a good deal on the leather that I buy, but it seems the only way to do that is to buy around 15 - 25 sq feet of it!

Call Springfield (one of the banner ads at the top), speak to kevin Hopkins or one of the girls. They will cut leather, so you don't need to buy an entire side. Call, don't use the website (I guess too many people are afraid of speaking to a human & expect everything to be on the website- they have lots & lots of stuff that aren't shown because the quantities are too small to list).

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

You might be surprised how much leather something like a corset will use up. Measure yourself to see how many sqft it will take to wrap around you.

The other thing is that leather is not like buying cloth which is totally usable for the most part. With leather there are edges that will get trimmed off, , and it doesn't come in standard sizes, meaning you will have to get a big enough piece to make sure your patterns will fit on an uneven shaped hide.