New To It All And I Have Some Questions.

[BlayneBurner]

Hey all! I'm new to all of this and I was wondering. What kind of tools should I aim to get first. Like the Most often used or even a list of everything I would need eventually would be nice! Where should I start? Learning to make designs in leather? Learning to cut and put it all together? I'm a bit lost of where to go first, but I know I want to learn it all eventually! My end goal is to learn to make some nice leather hats. In older styles like a leather top hat or even a tricorne! I'm a fan of the ren faires and the one's I find there. I sew a little bit cloth wise and just (well now I'm rambling) want to get into leatherworking as a hobby. I'm not really interested in making money but that would be a benefit!

Thanks!

Corey.

[Tugadude]

Tandy sells basic tool sets that can get you started on the cheap. $50 will get this kit which has various tools along with some projects and instructions.

For cutting, you might have tools already, razor knife, straight edge, square, etc.

For stitching, a diamond awl and a stitching chisel. Tandy or Springfield Leather are excellent sources.

Good luck!

[Tugadude]

Just my $.02, but you can do leatherwork with no tooling, but the other skills, cutting, stitching and edging are critical. That's where I'd start. Lots of threads here to search with tips on burnishing edges, stitching, etc. youtube videos are also helpful. Try Nigel Armitage. He teaches how to cut, round corners, edge and burnish and his stitching videos are great. And by all means, post your progress! You can get lots of constructive feedback. We all started from zero and all of us are still learning. I know I am.