Leathercraft projects I love
Here are some leathercrafting projects I love. Some of them are actual pieces and some are techniques you can apply to your leather pieces, like leather carving.
Leather wallet
There are many different types of leather wallet designs available around the internet. Search around until you find a style you like. I have a tendency to make my own patterns, which is also an option for you.
Make a leather bifold wallet with Corter Leather on Youtube.
Leather belt
Making your own leather belt is a great introductory project in leather crafting. While you can make a simple minimalist leather belt like the one in the tutorial suggested below, you can also use other leather crafting techniques on your belt, like leather carving or leather stamping to decorate the surface of the belt. It’s like a blank canvas ready for your creativity to spark.
Art of Manliness: Making a leather belt
Leather key ring
A keyring is super useful in keeping all your keys contained, but it’s also another way to experiment with leather techniques. Try a unique shape, leather type, or carve a design on it.
Homeyohmy: Leather key ring
Upcycled journal
Turn a pair of old boots into a leather journal with NerdForge on Youtube.
Leather crafted bags
Dark Horse Workshop has some beautiful patterns for Viking inspired pieces. As well as a Youtube channel with full tutorials on many different leather crafted projects and techniques.
Leather Bag Patters By Craftsmangus has a series of leather bags, wallets, and pouch patterns, and instructions for sale.
Leather shoemaking
Laughingcrowe Shoemaking School offers a variety of shoemaking classes in his studio in Portland, Oregon. He also has several shoemaking video courses for purchase that take you through the entire process of making a pair of shoes that are custom fit to your feet. I have taken his Turn-shoe course and created several pairs of turn-shoes for myself and film projects. It is a well-designed course with all the details and information you need to successfully create your own pair of shoes.
Sewing leather
Closet Case Patterns guide to sewing leather and faux leather for garment construction. This is using lightweight garment leathers that can be sewn with a sewing machine.
Brooklyn Craft Company has a guide on how to sew leather with your home sewing machine.
Leather carving
I created a leather journal for an indie filmmaking group for a medieval era project they were doing. This leads me to learn how to carve leather and do some leather tooling. I found the following resources as valuable references to learning how to do this.
Buckskin
Woniya Thibeault creator of Buckskin Revolution is a teacher and writer in the world of survival skills. Her book Buckskin Revolution: Sewing with Brain Tanned Leather is on pre-order. It covers the techniques used to sew buckskin garments.
Sun Dog Buckskin was created by Michael and Kelsi two artisans working together to live off the land and create handcrafted products to support their lifestyle. As hide tanners, basket weavers, and felters, among other skills, they offer classes in hide tanning.