What Was Your First Leather Project?

[gaseousclay]

For those of you who are beginners or even seasoned leatherworking veterans, what was your very first leather working project? Wallet? Keychain fob? Belt? Bracelet/cuff?

I'm not looking for ideas per se, i'm just curious where you started and how far you've progressed. Plus, I think it's cool to hear stories of people who have done well for themselves.

[Troy I]

My first project was a holster for a Glock 22. I could not afford a custom made holster, so I made my own. I was then hooked with the craft...now I sell custom holsters, key chains and other leather items to support my hobby.

[JLSleather]

Very first project was a carved belt. It was not beautiful

[veedub3]

I was pretty ambitious and made a cross body bag. I dived in head first, eyes closed, with my arms tied behind my back. :) That was in November 2012 so I have only been at this a little over a year. Now the cross body bags I make are night and day from that very first one.

I learned basic leather working back in the Summer of 82' while in Vacation Bible School. I had completely forgot all about that time. Loved it! Then one day my niece was making a bag out of duck tape from a YouTube video she was watching and I got the idea for her to make it out of leather. Working on that project with her had me hooked all over again.

Karina

Edited February 5, 2014 by veedub3

[WyomingSlick]

Like many kids who started in 4-H leather, my first item was a bookmark. At the time I thought it looked fine, but then what does a nine year old know. The second year in 4-H leathercraft I made this wallet for my Dad which he kept all these years and never used.

It received a blue ribbon at county fair and I thought it was fine. The amusing thing was when I got it back when my Dad died, the mistakes in it jumped right out at me. There were two mistakes in the lacing which I did correct, but otherwise it is just as I made it in 1966. Probably the most glaring is the omission of beveling/matting around the flowers of the cacti. And then today, I would not matt in the clouds as heavily as I did then.

[Bob Blea]

Mine was a Tandy checkbook kit. I had tried a few small floral carvings from the Stohlman books my wife had, and then adapted one to fit the front of the checkbook. I still use it to this day, though I could do a LOT better now.

Bob

[GrampaJoel]

A bi-fold wallet in my crafts shop class in school. 48 years ago.

[camano ridge]

40 years ago I got out of the Marine Corps and got a job as a body guard did not have much money and needed a concealable holster so I made a Roy Baker Pancake Holster. It looked like a leather pancake with a bite out of it where the gun went in.

[Troy Burch]

Mine was putting new fenders on my dad's roping saddle. The fenders were fine but the carving was terrible! He had a new saddle he had won but prefered his old one. Well after I "fixed" it he gave it to his 11 year old grandson and started using his new one. lol Troy

[chiefjason]

Holster for a G19. I'm cheap and have a strong tinker gene. I love DIY stuff. That was about 2 years ago. It's turned into a decent little side gig.

[George B]

Bowman saddle and let me just say I sweat like a pig with every piece I cut. Once I started came the realization that if

I missed up it would be an expensive mistake. Took me 2 months and ended up selling the saddle at a good profit.

Switched to gun leather, quicker gratification and if I screwed up it cost less.

[mrLloyd]

4H introduced me to it, though both father and mother dabbled in leathercraft many years ago i later found out. First project was the keyfob and coin purse kits from tandy.

[THE BIG RED VIKING]

Holster for a 6" S&W 687, couldn't afford the holster after I bought the gun so I made one.

[mtroyalguy]

A suit of SCA armour almost 10 yrs ago, then when restarting, harness and cuffs (adult). First sewn project was top hats.

[random5000uk]

Current working on my first project, a backpack.

[papaw]

Can't remember if it was the Comb kit or scout walking stick grip.about 50 yrs ago.

[immiketoo]

Here it is in all its glory.

[Tinkerton]

It was a pocket slip for a friend of mine. Wasn't terribly pretty, and a lot of glaring errors, but he was happy with it. Am beginning my third project now.

[evensteven]

My first project was a quiver I made in a High School crafts class in 1964.

[humperdingle]

A little possibles bag which took me pretty much a whole day! Re-made the exact design recently, looking much neater and only took a couple of hours and zero sweat :D

[Catchndreams]

Year 1954, my Grandfather walk me to the Tac room in the barn. Taught me how to make a strap. Beveled and coffee sun dyed.

When it was done......He Whooped me with it.....can't remember why. And that was the beginning.

[Basically Bob]

This ...

[dirkba]

At first I thought this was an April fools day topic - then I started following it and now i am adding to it!

My first project was a bullet holder (purse) made of scrap material I found lying around. It was made with only the bare essentials at the time - knife, sewing thread and a needle. I have always wanted to improve it.

This thread has forced me to do something about the old holder (left pic - new and the old) that has served me well for almost 20 years.

[BDAZ]

I got hooked on the leather biz because I needed a new belt and I couldn't find a 1 1/4 off the shelf to fit the buckle I have had for 40 years.

You are looking at a VERY expensive belt!

I have worn it every day since completed. It works! pants haven't fallen off once!

Cya!

Bob

Edited April 25, 2014 by BDAZ

[Chief31794]

My first leather project was sandals for Roman Soldiers, oh wait, maybe that was my 2nd or 3rd, can't remember. Actually, I made a belt at a US Army Craftshop in 1969 and have been doing leather ever since.

Cheif