Uses For Scraps

[grimmlin]

In making my first projects I've discovered that I'm ending up with sections of scrap that I feel could be used for something, but they're not very big. I don't want to throw them away. Some of the odd shaped ones I've set aside to practice tooling on, but the pieces I want to try to use are only about 6-10 inches long, some are square, most are smaller. I've got 8-9oz leather. Are there any small projects you might recommend for a newbie?

[Mike516]

Key fobs are one of my favorite uses for scrap leather.

[Bob Blea]

I wouldn't call 6-10 inches small by any means. I've used pieces of leather like that to make small notebook covers like for a 3x5 inch pocket notebook. You have even more options if you can stitch a couple of pieces together. You could use pieces that size to make wallets too. Then of course there are always key fobs and hair barrettes.

[TinkerTailor]

Coin purses. I sometimes wonder if i would make more money if i just cut sides of cromexcel into all coin purses rather than bags and the like. Profit margin is much higher but so is the repetition boredom.

Also, part of learning this craft is pattern placement. By carefully placing the pattern pieces on the hide, you can both highlight the nice parts and put them on the visible parts of the project. Making a bag with a pocket on the outside? Use the part of the leather with a hole, and place the hole where the pocket is. Blemish hidden.

Limiting waste/maximizing beauty with careful cutting is one of the best skills to have but hardest things to learn. The people who are good at this are highly prized in factories because someone who is bad can waste alot of leather in a hurry and ruin profits.

[grimmlin]

I like the idea of key fobs and coin purses. I was also thinking of making a clasp/closure for the new costume cape my husband wants me to make him. We've bought a couple at Ren Faires for our other capes and I'm pretty sure I now possess the skills and tools to make one.

Edited January 20, 2016 by grimmlin

[byggyns]

I use scraps for simple wrap wallets, notebook covers for Field Notes sized notebooks, tabs for dees and rings on bags, interior reinforcements / washers for rivets, and straps for holsters. Most of my scraps are veg tan in various weights, but since most of what I make is holsters / sheaths, most is in the 8-10 oz thickness range.