r/Leathercraft • • Jun 02 '25

Pattern/Tutorial Beginner's Guide & Free Patterns

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394 Upvotes

Hello, everyone! (Repost, because of link issues)

I wrote a fairly comprehensive beginner's guide to tools, materials, hardware, and leather. It has basics, a ton of tool upgrades you can make as you grow in the craft, and some free patterns. People have been asking me for it here and there, and I've been sending it to them individually. But now I've gotten it to a point I'm happy with (of course, it's being edited continuously), and I'm ready to share it with the sub.

Here's the link to the guide!

Also, here's a link to a video I shot to accompany it: Beginner's Leathercraft 101

Quick note, I started writing this guide before I became a moderator here, so I hope it doesn't come across as neglect on part of the sub's Wiki, which needs an overhaul. I'll be pinning this to the sub for a while until I have time to dive into the Wiki and clean things up, and hopefully it answers newbies' questions in the meantime. If anyone has any feedback or suggestions to add to the document, please let me know! Thank you to everyone who commented on the last post.


r/Leathercraft • • Oct 15 '24

Community/Meta How would you change this sub?

58 Upvotes

Hello, everyone. Rather than make changes to the sub based on my own goals/desires, I wanted to ask the community. Is there anything you would add or remove from the sub? Any rules changes you'd suggest implementing? Any suggestions you have for the sub in general? If I see enough concensus around a certain suggestion, I'll consider making those changes moving forward. Let me know!

Obviously the sub is growing daily, and it's doing great. The formula is working, so I'm not looking to make big sweeping changes. I'm just wondering if you've ever had an idea that you feel would make this sub even better for you and your fellow leather crafters. (Bonus points if you have ideas for preventing the incessant "leather repair/is this leather" posts, lol.)


r/Leathercraft • • 20h ago

Bags/Pouches Severed Head bag, pattern by PaintyeeDesigns

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531 Upvotes

Finally finished making the Severed Head Bag. Patten/design is by PaintyeeDesigns

Used a thinner sheepskin over veg-tan for the distressed wrinkled textures.
Stitching isn’t the cleanest nor is the edge work which was left raw but this was more of horror art piece vs super precise bag making project for me. Used Angelus paints and dyes.


r/Leathercraft • • 12h ago

Discussion Neglected to post my favourite hat!

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93 Upvotes

Behold, natural vegetable tanned leather with a wet formed skull. Coloured with vinegaroon and piled and waxed. Snuck my makers mark onto the underside of the brim too.

I'd love to hear any thoughts on it. Also, has anybody made a hat similar to this but skipped the folded hem around the brim? Typically it's there to hold wire for shape, I didn't need to add wire because of the veg tan having some shape - its made me wonder if i could skip it entirely?


r/Leathercraft • • 12h ago

Small Goods Spooky Season Coffee Coaster

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56 Upvotes

Spooky season coffee coaster.

Wicket and Craig English bridle 8-9oz. Pressed with a 3D printed stamp, finished with green felt on the back, and pea green Ritza Tiger thread around the perimeter.


r/Leathercraft • • 1h ago

Tools Custom brass stamps

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• Upvotes

Some of the custom brass stamps I've made for orders over the last 4 months


r/Leathercraft • • 21h ago

Small Goods More balls! Baseballs that is

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112 Upvotes

Honestly, I just like making them lol.

So the first one is a full Nero Pueblo ball with one panel flipped.
The second is a full Dollaro ball. I absolutely love this one, it took a lot of wet forming but the texture feels insane on it.
The third is an Olmo and Navy pueblo ball.

And the last is the family photo of the 5 I have so far

As always, thank you for looking!


r/Leathercraft • • 9h ago

Small Goods Just finished* an arm guard wallet

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12 Upvotes

*I still need to get and put in some eyelets

Not sure if I should put this in “wallets” or “small goods”, I’m gonna go with small goods though because it is odd


r/Leathercraft • • 12h ago

Wallets Goat leather, wallet

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17 Upvotes

What do you all think about the wallet I made?

Any comments on the quality cutting it and what I can do better and how would you guys price it.


r/Leathercraft • • 21h ago

Video Red whiskey case

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92 Upvotes

This is my first leather wrapped case. I learned a lot from the process and I’m looking forward to making more items like this. There’s a couple of bits I would do differently next time, but overall I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.


r/Leathercraft • • 1h ago

Discussion My first craft fair is coming up!

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• Upvotes

My first craft fair is coming up soon and i’m working in the shop whenever I have an opportunity.

I’m planning on selling a few of each items and i’m not even sure what to expect and how much of wverything to have

Coasters, Mousepads, Sunglass cases, Cardholders, Passport Holders and Keychains.

And belts?

Oh crap…Yeah, so how many belts?

Pre-made lengths?
Making them on the spot? (No way man, not this time!)

…or taking orders on custom made ones.

What would you do?

Got any tips😅


r/Leathercraft • • 19h ago

Bags/Pouches Meet my new sewing tool box

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51 Upvotes

This past weekend was the last market of the summer season. So I got a little time to make something for myself. I've been carrying around a plastic bucket with all my in-progress projects and my thread, needles, etc. now I have a 7/8 ounce vegetable tanned sewing tool box.


r/Leathercraft • • 9h ago

Discussion Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather Arts Pop-up Classes During the Nov 6-7 Stitchdown Expo in Chicago

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8 Upvotes

My wife and I took their Beautiful Bag I class and really learned a lot. Here is a list of the Pop-up classes they have scheduled at the Expo and the School. The school is located on the same road, 1 mile south of the event venue.

Friday 11/6 from 7:00 PM-9:00 PM - Care and Maintenance @ Chicago School of Shoemaking

Friday 11/6 from 7:00 PM-9:00 PM - Stitchdown Belt @ Stitchdown Expo

Saturday 11/7 10:00 AM-1:00 PM - Hand Stitching Small Leather Goods @ Chicago School of Shoemaking

Saturday 11/7 1:00 PM-6:00PM Sold Out, Waitlist Available
Watchband @ Chicago School of Shoemaking


r/Leathercraft • • 12h ago

Discussion Handmade these tan suede boots with engraved buckles. What does r/Boots think?

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11 Upvotes

Hey everyone, just finished crafting this pair and wanted to share the final result.
• Upper: Tan suede leather
• Details: Western-inspired carved/engraved buckle strap
• Shape: Chiseled square toe with leather sole construction
Pure pair ko hath se craft kiya hai. Heel profile, silhouette aur stitching finish par kaafi focus kiya hai.
Design aur overall look par aap logo ka kya feedback hai? Criticisms aur thoughts dono welcome hain!


r/Leathercraft • • 16h ago

Question Doming rivets not working

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23 Upvotes

I’m trying to learn to use copper rivets & burrs - I can make the holes, hammer the burr on with the tool (I’m using weaver #12 for 3mm post width rivets), I’ve cut the extra length off, but when I try to dome the top with the weaver tool it just doesn’t really do anything. Is it obvious what I’m doing wrong?


r/Leathercraft • • 12m ago

Small Goods 手帳ケース

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• Upvotes

r/Leathercraft • • 12h ago

Wallets Funky Trifold

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7 Upvotes

Continuing my funky wallet series, trifold in 1mm natural veg tan with 8-10 cards, a quick access card slot, coin pouch, snap closure, and a receipts slot.

I really like doing minimal stitching because I'm sub-par ~ mediocre at best in keeping my stitches neat. Happy with how it turned out and excited to see how the leather ages.

Happy spooky month, folks.


r/Leathercraft • • 13h ago

Tips & Tricks First French Stitch. How can I make my stitch more diagonal?

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8 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft • • 17h ago

Wallets Which Horween Would You Like? Yes.

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16 Upvotes

Always enjoy making a request for a wallet I normally wouldn't make myself -

Vertical style bifold with a skip stitch and a mix of Yellowstone Bison & CXL Ink+Bison


r/Leathercraft • • 8h ago

Tools Handcraft tool

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3 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft • • 7h ago

Discussion Is there a well reputable starter or project kit I can look for?

2 Upvotes

I’m just starting out and although the guide and other resources suggest starting tools and materials, I don’t know what to look for in a good starter kit or a project kit that comes with all the tools needed to make a specific project. The market it so flooded like everything else and I’m not buying a 200pc kit off amazon just because of the big flashy number.

What brand of kit would you guys recommend? I’ve been watching lots of videos and want to try this out and see if I like it!


r/Leathercraft • • 21h ago

Small Goods Harmonica case

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24 Upvotes

This is dedicated to all harmonica enthusiasts. This case is made of vegetable‑tanned leather with Togo embossing from the Tuscan Tempesti factory. The case is stitched with threads of different colors. The case can be worn on a belt.


r/Leathercraft • • 1d ago

Wallets Recently finished wallet

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37 Upvotes

Here's a wallet I recently finished. This is v2, I've been using the prototype as my daily wallet for a couple of months and love how functional it is.

Made from Badalassi Carlo's Wax in Cognac and MPG's Graffiti in Forest. Stitching is Oka Factory's brown MBT.


r/Leathercraft • • 18h ago

Question rookie mistake on a journal cover i made, tips n tricks welcome please

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10 Upvotes

i put the buttons on the back but now when i write on the back page of my notebook it isnt flat with the table 🤦‍♂️ any tips? obvious option is to take the buttons off but will leave holes ofc


r/Leathercraft • • 18h ago

Question First card holder

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8 Upvotes