Insy Report post Posted July 5, 2014 Is it me or is there a complete lack of books in general to do with leather working? I've looked on several sites and compared to the US sites there seems to be a much smaller selection of books to purchase, which sites or shops do you use to purchase your books from? Thanks in advance. Ben Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gary Report post Posted July 5, 2014 (edited) It's not just you, there aren't that many out there in the UK. A standard one here is Valerie Michael's Leatherworking Handbook. There are a couple of others which I have in the workshop on general leatherwork - both of which show techniques which I feel are wrong and also try and cram too much into one book. There are quite a few others about on saddlery, tack and harness. Robert Steinke has published 3 or 4 that are worth looking at for some of his techniques but they are focused on horse gear. Allen's is a publisher but specialises in equestrian books and has a few leatherwork related editions out. Some are reprints of quite old volumes. The Stohlmans' books are good, particularly 'The Art of Sewing Leather' - look on EBay or Amazon or, if you must, go to TLF. The best books on tooling and carving I have seen are from the US - the British do not have as much of a history in those skills and they are really only just seem to be catching on over here. There are a couple of places that teach it in the UK but I have no idea of their pedigree or styles. An internet search for out of date books may be useful and searching on this site will uncover several helpful posts where generous members have listed books and sites where many are available. Hope that helps even if it's a bit negative. Gary Edit: And try some old bookshops, you can often find an old gem hidden away. Edited July 5, 2014 by gary Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Insy Report post Posted July 5, 2014 Thanks for the swift reply Gary. Haha I was hoping for someone to say there's a secret little shop somewhere hiding but obviously that's not the case. I'm a complete beginner no experience with anything like leatherworking was just looking about to see the variety of books out there ranging from tools and how to use them, basic leather working, stitching/sewing leather and tooling/carving bit by bit obviously. I noticed Stohlmans are highly rated and spoken about but even his range of books seem limited here in UK. The Sheridan/Western Carving style interests me the most, I was looking to find a book somewhere which is in great depth on its history, how to draw/design, how to carve/tool including very detailed but seems very rare. I'll just have to keep browsing the usual sites and have people keep an eye out in stores. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted July 5, 2014 Try ebooks from Tandy https://www.leathercraftlibrary.com/c-79-ebooks.aspx Also google for free books, Gutenberg press, etc. can find some good old out of print books. Search this site for posts about free books or ebooks. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Insy Report post Posted July 5, 2014 That certainly is a option but I do love the feeling of holding a paper/hard back book in my hand, but it might be the best option in the way of sourcing good material. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Caldorn Report post Posted July 8, 2014 Hi The Northampton Leather Museum has a couple of books they sell on their website web link below http://www.museumofleathercraft.org/leather-b/ Keep meaning to go and check the museum out as I only live down the road from it and pass it every time I go to see my parents hehe. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shadowryder Report post Posted November 24, 2014 Here are a few helpful books on the subject. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leather-Tooling-Carving-Chris-Groneman/dp/0486230619 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zuludog Report post Posted December 1, 2014 Books that I have found useful are:- The Leatherworking Handbook by Valerie Michael Leatherwork - A Practical Guide by Chris Taylor The Art of sewing Leather by Al Stohlman It's good, but I think it's overpriced at about £15 from Tandy; see if you can get it cheaper on Amazon, ebay, or order it from your library In fact you could ask your library for books on leathercraft anyway anyway, they will probably have a few different ones Although they are not books, there is a lot of information on this forum, and YouTube Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simontuntelder Report post Posted December 1, 2014 Valerie Michaels is in my opinion the best book for any leatherworker. And I have a lot of books on the craft (if not all). Buy that one book and you'll be good to go! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ClaireW Report post Posted April 1, 2016 The books Tandy sell are ace, but they are very overpriced. If you wait for a special offer though you can get them for 1/2 price. I ordered quite a few of them last time they did that. "Ideas for Leather Projects Number 2" is also a very good - and big - book with actual size patterns and there are a how to pages at the front too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Klara Report post Posted August 5, 2021 It's available for free download: https://tandyleather.com/blogs/leathercraft-library/ideas-for-leather-projects-vol-2-1934 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
