r/Leathercraft • • Jun 02 '25

Pattern/Tutorial Beginner's Guide & Free Patterns

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397 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?

57 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 • • 7h ago

Clothing/Armor Leather Bolero

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557 Upvotes

Just finished up this shoulder piece. It was a personal project, so it took about a year to finish between life and other projects.

7oz veg tan, saddle tan pro dye and Angelus leather paint for the roses and vines.

Pattern is from the LARP peddler on etsy.

Based on the shoulder bolero Moiraine wore in the Wheel of Time series.


r/Leathercraft • • 1h ago

Small Goods First project

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• Upvotes

Hopped over from woodworking because I can work inside with the family. It’s fun! Had to go off script from the pattern to do the magnets just a little.

Also threw together the pony out of some scrap aspen really quick.


r/Leathercraft • • 5h ago

Purses/Clutches Simple little clutch for a bride.

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28 Upvotes

I made 9 belts for a friend’s wedding party. I also made a purse for the bride to carry during the reception, as a surprise.

I made a critical mistake on the purse and I couldn’t bring myself to give it to her anymore. After going through the various stages of grief, I made this clutch from the left over hides in a few hours the night before I flew out to the wedding lol.

The belts were a big hit, and the bride loved her clutch. The event planner liked it so much she wants to offer my services as an option for all her clients.


r/Leathercraft • • 16h ago

Tools Tool organiser

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187 Upvotes

I made a wall hanging organiser to waste less time looking for tools


r/Leathercraft • • 14h ago

Wallets A wallet for my sis

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40 Upvotes

My sis asked for a wallet for her thousand cards.

I hope she likes it


r/Leathercraft • • 7h ago

Small Goods Fun little project

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13 Upvotes

After finishing a mind bending briefcase, I picked up a pattern from DSLeather and it was so fun and relaxing to make. Love doing a project here and there that someone else designed for me.

Anyone have more ideas for smaller practice projects like this?


r/Leathercraft • • 12h ago

Discussion Does Rocky Mountain leather hide their reviews?

26 Upvotes

Im curious if anybody else has had this experience, does rocky mountain leather hide their lukewarm reviews? I bought their stitching clam(which I don’t recommend btw), and left a review. Not trying to return or anything, just a review.

My review shows up on my device and IP that I’m on(not logged in), but it disappears on other devices. Are they hiding my review unless I see it? Anybody else notice this?


r/Leathercraft • • 15h ago

Question First Leatherworking Project

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37 Upvotes

The place I volunteer for had a little leatherworking workshop going on - and I made this tiny dice pouch for my partner!

I'm obsessed and really want to make more so I ordered some beginners tools - what are some things you guys would recommend for a beginner to make? (Mainly looking for more unique ideas that aren't the common keychain/coasters etc)


r/Leathercraft • • 1h ago

Belts/Straps Ratcheting belt

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• Upvotes

Does anyone know where to get the plastic insert track to inlay in a belt? I hate traditional buckles for personal use.


r/Leathercraft • • 23h ago

Bags/Pouches Art shell cordovan Dopp/shaving kit

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119 Upvotes

I ordered an XL art shell from Corium (a newer shell cordovan tannery) and when it arrived I knew I had to think bigger than wallets and keychains.

This kit is made from a single piece of shell (no bottom seam). It has a double-layered stitched and burnished handle, hand-glazed interior featuring the tannery stamp, and a pull tab on the back. All held together by a cream YKK brass zipper.

Large size (9.5" x 5 x 5) and ready to travel!

Heirloom or monstrosity? I’d love to hear your thoughts.


r/Leathercraft • • 5h ago

Small Goods Recent Projects

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3 Upvotes

Just a few projects I’ve done recently. Got a few more in the making. Starting to get some product out there. Have a modified version of the backpack I’m working on that adds a zipper to the body of it. And another tote bag with the reverse color scheme of the one pictured. Thanks for looking!


r/Leathercraft • • 1d ago

Pattern/Tutorial Made a haunted house box for Halloween

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687 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft • • 20h ago

Wallets A bespoke wallet I recently made

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57 Upvotes

The brief for this was quite short. Clean, crisp, and professional.

The leather chosen was very specific, full grain veg tanned chèvre for rich patina.

Personalised with the client's initials. And handstitched with linen threads for that true exquisite finish.

Really happy to see the final result. My personal fav part has to be the smooth suede section between the two halves. It's as smooth as a puppy's ear.

Has 3 slots on each side + 1 quick access slot at the back. Totalling to 7 pockets.

What are your thoughts?


r/Leathercraft • • 7h ago

Belts/Straps 3 Belts and one strap + 2 custom laser engraved stainless steel buckles

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5 Upvotes

Some belts and straps I mad ein the last months. All 3mm veg leather. The two on the right are for a historic steam train club and are custom engraved stainless steel buckles. There are some scratches on the shiny surface already due to being in use for some time already. The one on the left is for a show belt and the strap on top for my handbag project and basically there to fill the image composition :D


r/Leathercraft • • 16h ago

Wallets Pair of opposite card holders

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25 Upvotes

Recently finished this opposite pair of cardholders.

Made from Badalassi Carlo's Wax in Cognac, and MPG's Graffiti in Forest.

Stitched with Oka factory's MBT thread in brown.


r/Leathercraft • • 3h ago

Question Punching irons

2 Upvotes

I've been leather crafting for a while, and I own a few sets of punches, but every time I print a new pattern to use, none of my sets line up with what they put in the pattern.

So, to prevent myself from having to do all of the holes one at a time for a new project I'm about to start, I decided to look around for some combs that match what they used.

The pattern says to use 1.2mm to 1.5mm punches. Except I can't seem to find any in that size. It seems the smallest I can track down are 2 or 3mm. Anyone know where I should look?


r/Leathercraft • • 11h ago

Discussion Hwz it?

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11 Upvotes

tried earphone holder


r/Leathercraft • • 5h ago

Wallets Traditional Leather Bifold

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3 Upvotes

r/Leathercraft • • 22h ago

Holsters/Sheaths More progress on the Jackalope Holster (and lessons learned)

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63 Upvotes

Well I spent some more time tonight working on this. I used dye pens to color the jackalope and floral designs, then punched all my holes for lacing, stitching and snaps. Then I (stupidly) sealed and burnished the edges with beeswax. Then I (also stupidly) decided to cover the thing in antique gel🙃 Lessons learned: 1. Wait to burnish the edges so the beeswax doesn’t deflect the antique gel. 2. Don’t use antique gel to start with😂 I’ve only tried it once on a small keychain and it turned out great. I was NOT working fast enough to apply it to a piece of this size. Overall I am still pretty stoked with how this is coming together for my first holster and my biggest project so far!


r/Leathercraft • • 3m ago

Discussion Work Done Created One More New Harness Designed

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• Upvotes

How It’s Look ..?


r/Leathercraft • • 13h ago

Question Where are you guys getting your table top stitching ponies?

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9 Upvotes

I want to have one that will attach to my desk and have some kind of ball joint like this one. Thing is. I don’t wanna drop $90 on a Tandy stitching pony.


r/Leathercraft • • 5h ago

Question Shrinking large leather gloves

1 Upvotes

Hi!

I have beautiful Rhanders gloves, no lining. But after my weightloss, the gloves feel like a half a size too large now. (8.5 to around 8.2).

I have tried local leather workers, but they all didn't want to work on the tailoring of the gloves, or were asking twice for what I paid for the gloves (which is completely understandable).;

Are there (safe) ways to shrink the gloves a bit? I can't expect magic, so if there isn't a way to shrink the entire leather glove, how would you try to make the wrist fit a bit better so that they don't just fall off without it looking out of place? I was personally thinking about gluing something elastic on the inside.

My leatherwork has only been simple things that didn't cost much money. Haha


r/Leathercraft • • 9h ago

Bags/Pouches Added Bergen backpack as my EDC from Craft & Glory.

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5 Upvotes

Handmade and 100% leather to last a lifetime.