What projects do I begin with?

[Trunkdreamingnewbie]

Thank you all so so much for you quick and kind answers I will take all of your advice to heart an head straight to amazon for the sugested books

The next stop will be a trip to get the basic tools for my first project, which i suspect will be a dog collar...  And again Thank you. I am a bit overwhelmed with the kindness you have all shown me.

PS: I will update when I have progress to show

[Stetson912]

Look forward to seeing what you make. You may also want an edge beveler or two. They come in different sizes. They round off edges and when you burnish said edges it looks good. It's good for belts and collars. Someone should be able to help you pick out a good size to start with(I still only have one size myself because it's all I use) where you go to pick up some tools. 

Just remember you don't need to spend a fortune to start. You can upgrade later when you come to realize what you need and such. But that said you get what you pay for too. The basics are worth spending a little extra on because odds are you'll have m and use em for a while. Just my thoughts, I don't want you to feel like we here are telling you what to do hahaha. 

[480volt]

I spent a lot of time practicing hand stitching on veg tan scrap, using different stitches-per-inch and different threads, till I felt I had some control over it. You're going to want to make/buy/improvise some kind of stitching pony or clam. Since it's trunks you want to do, Brettun's Village has a site devoted to trunk restoration, and a separate site for leather supplies and tools.

[Sceaden]

Leodis Leather has excellent videos including one on tools.

[johnv474]

Hey Trunkdreamingnewbie I share your interest in steamer trunka and the many variations that existed.  Attached is a neat PDF called A Potted History of Leathergoods, written by a professor of fine leatherworking.  His books suggested starting with straps, because much of the basics you need tp learn are included in straps (measuring, cutting, sewing, setting hardware, finishing edges, etc.).  And you will find that straps and belts and bracelets and suspenders are all strap-related... Plus, straps don't require huge amounts of material.  So jump in and make yourself a belt, then make some more belts, and soon you will be covering a trunk in leather, knowing that the straps and handles you make will deserve the attention they get.

 

 

A Potted History Of Leather V3.pdf

[AZNightwolf]

Got nothing to add but a warm welcome. I look forward to seeing your work. I myself chose to jump off the deep end and as such am working on a Dr. type bag for my Harley. In way over my head but learning lots. Good Luck.