What were your first leather projects? How do you grow skills efficently?

[battlemunky]

5 hours ago, VartLiv said:

I will do more searching.  Thanks for the info.

I hope it helps more than feeling like I punted you off to look elsewhere for info. It's just that, for me anyhow, seeing folks make patterns is infinitely more helpful than trying to piece it together from reading it, especially from someone like me who may think he explained it well but didn't really. Don't be afraid to look at pattern makers using cloth as well since leather is basically heavy cloth/textile itself. There are a few differences here and there but you'll pick that up as time goes on.

Also, wrapping paper/cardboard around things and marking edges while it is wrapped gives a relatively decent estimation of a pattern and then you can add room for leather thickness and stitch allowance, etc.

Please don't stop asking questions!

[Frodo]

7 hours ago, VartLiv said:

I will do more searching.  Thanks for the info.

I bought a sheet of bag stiffener or the cover of spiral note book or a file from the filing cabinet

and have actually sewed it together, to completion.  and then tore it apart to make patterns, 

sometimes you just have to make do. 

No template,  took a picture off of the internet, glued it to wood and made a template 

then started making the holster using bag stiffener 

using some of the original components

Edited February 10, 2021 by Frodo

[chuck123wapati]

Here are a couple of my earlier projects. The small knife was the earliest attempt for both making knives and sheaths. The first was made from some unknown leather my dad had laying around. The second sheath was made from some W&C i bought, you can still see the fingernail marks from me on the back side, as well the stamping was done years  later when the sheath was dry, yea i just hit real hard, and i discovered stamping tools lol. Its about 25 years old.  But in my defense i was into muzzle-loading back then so most of my stuff was made by a " lonely trapper during the winter with no tools under the flame of a candle" lol.

i think the best way to improve is to be consistent with you practice while still reading and learning the various aspects of the craft. Strive to do some projects above you skill level while still doing projects at your skill level. 

Edited February 11, 2021 by chuck123wapati

[Brigg]

Very cool to see pictures of first projects. I will try and post a couple of my first tomorrow.

[Brandolo]

So I am an over thinker and it always holds me back from accomplishing projects. If I have one piece of info it's to never tell yourself "nobody will purchase this" always try to look at the "does my project accomplish the desired need" rather than does it look "cool" because I can guarantee that's a start. Begin accomplishing your need and then you can work on how nice it looks. As for pattern making I began with cardboard and at times still use it but the bast medium I have found is craft foam and contact cement it's cheap allows room for alterations and very easy to work with. One last thing....you must get familiar with your medium before developing the skill to make something look like you want. You can try to tool genuine leather all day for years if you wish and it will never turn out because that's not what genuine leather is used for it doesn't tool or hold shape that's veg tan. Oh yeah one more thing....while getting to know your medium at the same time get comfortable with the weight or thicknesses and what's possible for each because just as different types of leather will give you different desired outcomes the same can be said for the weights. Hope this helps. One more I swear lol.....no matter how good an eye and hand coordination you possess a proper stichline will always turn out more professional with even spaces and holes of same size so just get a spacer tool or set of pricks (a fork with sharpened points will do if your short on cash) and last last lastly finish your edges (water will work but wax is better) .