ducjes Report post Posted April 4, 2014 (edited) There are plenty of lists out there for people who just want to dabble with leathercraft. This isn't meant for the people who just want to "see if they like it", rather if they actually want to get into it as a serious side hobby or small business. You really only need an awl and thread to do leathercraft, but they often leave out a lot of the other pieces you never really think of if you want to get into it more seriously. This guide is meant to serve as a buying guide for tools, thread, and leather with affordable and expensive options. This guide is by no means meant to be an authority on these matters but is based on my experience of buying trial and error over the last year of leatherworking. If you spot any errors, you won't offend me if you point them out so they can be corrected. I intend this to be a living resource so if you have any recommendations, please feel free to contribute and I can add as necessary. Section 1: Tool Recommendations Section 2: Leather Suppliers Section 3: Thread Suppliers Section 4: Hardware Suppliers Section 4: Free/Paid Patterns Questions/comments/want to contribute? PM me or you can email me at guardedgoods at gmail.com --- Section 1: Tool Recommendations To be added. Need to rework layout. Here is an off-site link for the time being.--- Section 2: Leather Suppliers Company: Horween Leather Company Pricing / Sq. Foot: $8 - $100 Types of Leather: Chromexcel, Shell Cordovan, Latigo, Cavalier, Dublin, Essex Minimum Order Quantity: 1 side Offers Splitting: Not for small orders. Limited to what is in stock. Email: shelleyhuard@thetanneryrow.com Phone: 847-840-7647 Notes: Pricing varies depending on order quantity. Discounts with higher volume orders. What they offer varies highly on what they have in excess stock. Takes 2 - 6 weeks depending on what is in stock. --- Company: Wickett & Craig Pricing / Sq. Foot: $8+ Types of Leather: Skirting, Tooling, Harness, Bridle, Latigo Minimum Order Quantity: 1 side Offers Splitting: Yes Email: info@wickett-craig.com Phone: 1-800-Tannery Notes: Awesome to work with. Very helpful in getting exactly what you need, even if you're just getting one side. Offer lots of customization (flesh refinishing, stamping, splitting, etc). --- Company: Hermann Oak Pricing / Sq. Foot: $8+ Types of Leather: Skirting, Tooling, Harness, Bridle, Latigo Minimum Order Quantity: 5+ sides Offers Splitting: Yes Email: Here Phone: 1-800-325-7950 Notes: --- Company: Springfield Leather Company Pricing / Sq. Foot: Varies Types of Leather: Many types. Horween, Hermann Oak, Wickett & Craig, Exotics. Minimum Order Quantity: No Offers Splitting: No Email: Here Phone: 1-417-881-0223 Notes: Very easy to work with. They offer Horween and Hermann Oak leathers without the MOQ. --- Company: Maverick Leather Company Pricing / Sq. Foot: $1.75 - $6 / sq. foot Types of Leather: Horween Seconds and others Minimum Order Quantity: 1 side Offers Splitting: No Email: info@maverickleathercompany.com Phone: 707-792-2208 Notes: They offer a lot of Horween seconds at almost a quarter of the price. Great for starting out but you're limited to what they have in stock and you can't rely on repeat purchases. --- Company: Tandy Leather Pricing / Sq. Foot: Varies Types of Leather: Many. Mainly veg tan. Minimum Order Quantity: No Offers Splitting: No Email: tlfhelp@tandyleather.com Phone: 1-877 LEATHER Notes: Great for starting out. Cheap options and you don't need to commit to an entire side. --- Company: RJF Leather Pricing / Sq. Foot: Unsure Types of Leather: Vegetable Tanned, Latigo, Harness, English Bridle, European Bridle Minimum Order Quantity: 1 side Offers Splitting: No Email: fjlea@aol.com Phone: 607-742-8969 Notes: N/A --- Company: Goliger Leather Company Pricing / Sq. Foot: Varies Types of Leather: Skirting, Tooling Strap, Harness, Bridle, Latigo, Vegetable Tanned Minimum Order Quantity: 1 side Offers Splitting: No Email: service@goligerleather.com Phone: 800-423-2329 Notes: N/A --- Company: Brettuns Village Pricing / Sq. Foot: Varies Types of Leather: Calf, upholstery, vegetable tanned, various cowhide Minimum Order Quantity: 1 side Offers Splitting: No Email: leather@brettunsvillage.com Phone: 207-782-7863 Notes: N/A --- Company: Rojé Leather Pricing / Sq. Foot: Varies Types of Leather: Alligator, Caiman, Crocodile, Eel, Elephant, Lizard, Ostrich, Python, Shark, Stingray, Zebra Minimum Order Quantity: 1 side Offers Splitting: No Email: Here Phone: 1-800-810-1988 Notes: A large selection of exotic leathers. --- Company: The Ostrich Market Pricing / Sq. Foot: Varies Types of Leather: Alligator, Caiman, Lizard, Crocodile, Ostrich, Stingray Minimum Order Quantity: 1 side Offers Splitting: No Email: info@ostrichmarket.com Phone: 954-873-1957 Notes: A large selection of exotic leathers. --- Company: Zach White Leather Company Pricing / Sq. Foot: Varies Types of Leather: Bison, Bridle, Calf, Goat, Deer, Elk, Exotic, Fashion, Harness, Latigo, +more Minimum Order Quantity: 1 side Offers Splitting: No Email: Here Phone: 336-824-4488 Notes: N/A --- Section 3: Thread Suppliers Company: Maine Thread Company Pricing: $4.19 - $6.92 per 70 yard spool Type: Waxed Polycord Email: [Here](207-784-7770) Phone: 207-784-7770 Notes: This was my first supplier. They offer pretty good thread in various sizes in many colors. Great for starting out. --- Company: Royalwood Ltd. Pricing: $11.40 per 110+ yard spool (non-discount price) Type: Waxed Linen Thread Email: orders@royalwoodltd.com Phone: 1-800-526-1630 Notes: Offer discounts for orders over $100. They have really solid thread in many colors in many sizes. I recommend the 3-ply or 4-ply thread. --- Company: Abbey England (Tiger Thread) Pricing: Roughly $25 + international shipping per 546 yard spool Type: Ritza 25 Waxed Linen Tiger Thread Email: Here Phone: +44(0)1565 650343 Notes: I recommend the 0.6mm for small projects and 0.8mm for large projects. This is the best supplier I've found for Tiger Thread (aka Ritza 25 Thread). This is the best thread I've used and highly recommend it. You can get a 500 meter spool for about $40 shipped internationally from England to U.S. A U.S. supplier can be purchased here. --- Company: Fine Leatherworking (Fil Au Chinois Lin Câblé Pricing: $36 - $48 per 133 - 375 meter spool Type: Waxed Lin Cable Email: store@fineleatherworking.com Phone: 415-800-2978 Notes: You can order from the actual French company, Fil Au Chinois, though I've heard the pricing is quite expensive for international shipping. This is the thread Hermes uses and is considered the best thread for luxury goods. --- Company: Tandy Leather Company Pricing: $24 per spool Type: Waxed Thread Email: tlfhelp@tandyleather.com Phone: 1-877 LEATHER Notes: Tandy actually has pretty good thread for the price. Their color selection is lacking though. --- Section 4: Hardware Suppliers Company: Ohio Travel Bag Types of Hardware: Fasteners, clasps, handles, snaps, rivets, key rings, zippers, and more Minimum Order Quantity: $50 Email: info@ohiotravelbag.com Phone: 1-417-881-0223 Notes: Probably the best option for getting hardware. Great prices but semi-inconvenient for ordering. You have to go through the catalog and lookup item numbers to order. Requires signup for an account. One of the more inconvenient ones but you will get the best prices (in a lot of the cases I've seen, it is about half the other suppliers). --- Company: Springfield Leather Company Types of Hardware: Fasteners, clasps, handles, snaps, rivets, key rings, zippers, and more Minimum Order Quantity: No Email: Here Phone: 1-417-881-0223 Notes: They offer discounted prices if you have a business tax ID or you can sign up for their Gold Club. --- Company: Tandy Leather Company Types of Hardware: Fasteners, clasps, handles, snaps, rivets, key rings, zippers, and more Minimum Order Quantity: No Email: tlfhelp@tandyleather.com Phone: 1-877 LEATHER Notes: They offer discounted prices if you have a business tax ID or you can sign up for their Gold Club. --- Company: Buckle Guy Types of Hardware: Great selection of fasteners, clasps, handles, snaps, rivets, key rings, zippers, and more Minimum Order Quantity: No Email: Here Phone: 978-213-9989 Notes: They offer discounted prices with volume orders. --- Company: Ludlow Leather Supply Co. Types of Hardware: John James needles, John James awl blades, Stitching Clams Minimum Order Quantity: No Email: N/A Phone: 317-213-9437 Notes: Also offers Ritza 25 (Tiger) Thread. --- Section 5: Patterns (Free & Paid) Free Patterns Created by: Myself Type: 4-Slot Bifold Basic Pattern & Directions Download: Link Google Drive: Link Notes: Feel free to use this and distribute as you like! --- Paid Patterns Company: Armitage Leather Pricing: $16.59 Type: Messenger Bag, Wallet Card Holder Pack Notes: Includes patterns for printing and great YouTube instructional videos. --- Company: Big House Daddy Pricing: $20.00+ Type: Messenger Bags, Hats, Hand Bag, Shoulder Bag, Camera Case Notes: Includes downloadable PDF with instructions and printable patterns. --- Feel free to PM me about adding any additional suppliers. Edited April 4, 2014 by ducjes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted April 4, 2014 When you want to add to and edit this post, PM me with the additions and I can put them into the original post, or we can put the info into PDF files and attach new updates for each section. PDFs might be the best route to go. Anyhow, just let me know which way you want to go and I can help with edits.Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClownHats Report post Posted April 17, 2014 Such a great list, thank you! Got any more good free patterns? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LTC Report post Posted April 18, 2014 i've been trying to find a good pattern for a keychain....the type that has a metal insert where the keys are on hooks and lay next to each other in a row. i saw some that use a concho to snap closed. that's the kind i'm looking for if anyone can point me to a pattern for that i would be very grateful. thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Glendon Report post Posted April 18, 2014 There are a few versions of those in the bughouse daddy small pattern packs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LTC Report post Posted April 18, 2014 There are a few versions of those in the bughouse daddy small pattern packs. ok well his pics are really, REALLY bad.....but i looked through every (bad) picture in that small pattern pack and did not see anything anywhere even close to what i described above. in fact, i didn't see any key cases that used the metal loop hardware i mentioned before either. anyway i am disinclined to spend $20 on some patterns where i can barely tell what the finished product will look like. for that reason i'd prefer a free or at least cheaper (single) pattern. and one where i can see what it'll look like when finished. here's a picture of what i want to make. http://image.rakuten.co.jp/frisbee/cabinet/redmoon/061mgrrc-cw-kc-p1.jpg and now that i've found that pic just now, maybe i can make my own pattern. (i didn't see that pic before...) if i end up making a pattern i'll consider offering it on here since i cannot seem to locate a pattern for it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kwelna Report post Posted April 18, 2014 I do not think it is a questiion of poor pictures, I think he is trying to protect his investment. If you could blow it up, or get a better look, you could just print off the pictures and make your own plans without paying. I can't fault him for that. The price does not seem excesive, Maybe throw a few $ his way? That is a lot of different patterns you may be able to use a few..... Just a thought Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LTC Report post Posted April 18, 2014 nah. don't think so. oh and i'm trying to protect MY investment by not blowing $20 on some umm..."patterns" i have zero use for. (he's the one trying to sell the stuff. not me. i'm going to require pictures where i can actually see what stuff i can make if i'm going to give him any $$, end of story.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlHobbyist Report post Posted April 19, 2014 Thanks Ducjes, You're off to a pretty good start and I'm sure many will find it useful. A lot of these goods are pretty hard to find. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KandB Report post Posted May 9, 2014 Leather Suppliers: The Leather Guy The Hide House Carroll Leather Thread: The Thread Exchange Hardware: Weaver Leather Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Billy P Report post Posted May 11, 2014 If you get the book Projects and Designs by Al Stolhman from Tandy, Springfield leather, StLeather, or a lot of other leather supply stores they have several patterns for 4 hook and 6 hook key cases like you want. The book has tooling patterns as well as the actual size cutting patterns for the outside and inside pockets. I've had it for years and I think it one of the best books for small things I've ever seen. Just my opinion. The are fairly cheap according to where you get it, Tandy probably the highest price, but that is where I got mine years ago. I hope this helps Billy P Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TIMCO now SX Report post Posted May 12, 2014 Company: SX Industries, Inc. Types of Hardware: Buckles, Snaps, Spots (Nailheads), Conchos, and Cinch Plates Minimum Order Qty: $50 Email: tim@sxindustries.com Phone: 781-828-7111 x.203 Notes: Discounted Prices with volume order. As a manufacturer, we can do custom hardware production! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sripradeep Report post Posted June 14, 2014 l-z pattern on etsy has a lot of cool patterns Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DavidL Report post Posted June 15, 2014 ok well his pics are really, REALLY bad.....but i looked through every (bad) picture in that small pattern pack and did not see anything anywhere even close to what i described above. in fact, i didn't see any key cases that used the metal loop hardware i mentioned before either. anyway i am disinclined to spend $20 on some patterns where i can barely tell what the finished product will look like. for that reason i'd prefer a free or at least cheaper (single) pattern. and one where i can see what it'll look like when finished. here's a picture of what i want to make. http://image.rakuten.co.jp/frisbee/cabinet/redmoon/061mgrrc-cw-kc-p1.jpg and now that i've found that pic just now, maybe i can make my own pattern. (i didn't see that pic before...) if i end up making a pattern i'll consider offering it on here since i cannot seem to locate a pattern for it. Do you know how the back of the snap looks like it has a piece of leather "burned in" without any stitching? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Renoir Report post Posted June 21, 2014 My guess is that circle has been cut from thin leather and glued on to cover the snap back Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chicagojane Report post Posted July 5, 2014 Tools Minkus Margo on etsy & ebay Selling hand press machines and many many dies for the machine Large assortment of dies, rivets, spots, spring snaps, press snaps, jean buttons, nipple rivets, grommets and more No minimum order email - baysay1225@yahoo.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
