leat:leatherwork

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leat:leatherwork [2025/12/05 05:05] – created - external edit 127.0.0.1leat:leatherwork [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Leatherwork+This topic is part of [[gt:crafts|Crafts & making]]. 
 +====== Leatherwork ======
  
  
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-## What is leatherwork?+===== What is leatherwork? =====
  
 Leatherwork is making items from leather ([tanned animal skin](/skin/skins)). As with many crafts, there are a number of steps from the raw material - in this case a piece of leather - to a finished item. Leather craft involves designing, cutting, and then, depending on the project, hole punching, sewing, and finishing. Additional steps could be decorating, carving and dyeing. Leatherwork is making items from leather ([tanned animal skin](/skin/skins)). As with many crafts, there are a number of steps from the raw material - in this case a piece of leather - to a finished item. Leather craft involves designing, cutting, and then, depending on the project, hole punching, sewing, and finishing. Additional steps could be decorating, carving and dyeing.
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 <caption> <caption>
-An example of fine leatherwork, creating a useful and durable satchel.+_An example of fine leatherwork, creating a useful and durable satchel._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-### History+==== History ====
  
 Leatherwork has ancient beginnings, probably with early humans simply sewing hides together with bone needles to make clothing. Animal skin parchment was used for early writing, before paper was invented. Leather was the primary clothing material for thousands of years, before [weaving](/weav/weaving) was developed. Leatherwork has ancient beginnings, probably with early humans simply sewing hides together with bone needles to make clothing. Animal skin parchment was used for early writing, before paper was invented. Leather was the primary clothing material for thousands of years, before [weaving](/weav/weaving) was developed.
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 <caption> <caption>
-Medieval tannery.+_Medieval tannery._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## What are the benefits of leatherwork?+===== What are the benefits of leatherwork? =====
  
 - It can be empowering and enjoyable to create your own items rather than buy them - It can be empowering and enjoyable to create your own items rather than buy them
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 <caption> <caption>
-Students at an introductory leatherwork class.+_Students at an introductory leatherwork class._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## What can I do?+===== What can I do? =====
  
-With a few of the right tools, and some instruction, it’s possible for a beginner to create beautiful and useful leather items. There are a number of introductory leatherwork [courses](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/directory/categories/leatherwork-courses) available, and as with any craft, learning from an expert with years of experience can help you pick up the skills and techniques much more quickly than by reading or watching videos. If that doesn't appeal, there are plenty of online guides and books to get you started - see resources.+With a few of the right tools, and some instruction, it’s possible for a beginner to create beautiful and useful leather items. There are a number of introductory leatherwork courses available, and as with any craft, learning from an expert with years of experience can help you pick up the skills and techniques much more quickly than by reading or watching videos. If that doesn't appeal, there are plenty of online guides and books to get you started - see resources.
  
-### Obtaining leather+==== Obtaining leather ====
  
 The tanning process transforms a raw skin into a preserved piece of leather, resistant to rot. As a leatherworker, you may want to [tan your own](/skin/skins), or to buy leather. Leather is usually sold by the square foot and priced by the ounce (which is actually a thickness, not a weight). You can buy whole skins, or sections such as back, belly or sides. Cow hides are the most commonly sold skins. The tanning process transforms a raw skin into a preserved piece of leather, resistant to rot. As a leatherworker, you may want to [tan your own](/skin/skins), or to buy leather. Leather is usually sold by the square foot and priced by the ounce (which is actually a thickness, not a weight). You can buy whole skins, or sections such as back, belly or sides. Cow hides are the most commonly sold skins.
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 <caption> <caption>
-A leatherworker's tools. Top, l-r: waxed thread and needle, wing divider, hole punch, awls. Middle, l-r: mallet, swivel knife for carving, edge slicker. Bottom, l-r: skilled hands and leather cutting knife. Pic: [HammerThreads](http://www.hammerthreads.ca)+_A leatherworker's tools. Top, l-r: waxed thread and needle, wing divider, hole punch, awls. Middle, l-r: mallet, swivel knife for carving, edge slicker. Bottom, l-r: skilled hands and leather cutting knife. Pic: [HammerThreads](http://www.hammerthreads.ca)_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-### Tools+==== Tools ====
  
 There are a fair number of tools you need to complete simple leatherwork projects, and then a number of specialised tools for a more professional look, or for more complicated work. There are a fair number of tools you need to complete simple leatherwork projects, and then a number of specialised tools for a more professional look, or for more complicated work.
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 <caption> <caption>
-A saddlemaker carves a design into the leather.+_A saddlemaker carves a design into the leather._
  
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-### Some leatherwork techniques+==== Some leatherwork techniques ====
  
 **Designing** **Designing**
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 <caption> <caption>
-Sewing leather: saddle stitch with two needles, held in place by a stitching pony.+_Sewing leather: saddle stitch with two needles, held in place by a stitching pony._
  
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 <caption> <caption>
-How to sew leather by hand+_How to sew leather by hand_
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Bevelling the edge of a belt.+_Bevelling the edge of a belt._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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 <caption> <caption>
-Designs imprinted on leather using a stamp.+_Designs imprinted on leather using a stamp._
  
 </caption> </caption>
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-## Further resources+===== Forum =====
  
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:crafts|Crafts & making]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/crafts).
  
-## Specialists+===== Further resources ===== 
 + 
 +- [Instructables](https://www.instructables.com/Introduction-to-Leatherworking/) - introduction to leatherworking 
 +- [Beginners' guide to leatherworking](https://www.goldbarkleather.com/beginners-guide) 
 +- [Leather Beast](https://www.leatherbeast.com/) - how to make and sell traditional leather goods 
 +- [Is It Leather?](https://isitleather.com/) - advocating for real, natural, sustainable leather  
 +- [Leatherworker.net](https://leatherworker.net/forum/) - forum 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Related topics ===== 
 + 
 +- [Cattle](catl:cattle) 
 +- [Craft production](craf:craft) 
 +- [Low-impact clothes](licl:clothes) 
 +- [Sewing](sewi:sewing) 
 +- [Skins & hides](skin:skins) 
 +- [Working horses](woho:working_horses) 
 + 
 +===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
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  • Last modified: 2025/12/05 05:05
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