Where do I learn how to work with leather?

The Ok Kid · October 10, 2007, 02:26:16 PM

Howdy guys,
I've been posting a lot this week (sorry to be so annoying) and realized that it would be mighty fun to mess around with some leather myself. Realistically, I know nothing nice will come out of it for a while but I'm up for practice and learning. Where can I learn how to hand stitch and stamp leather? I used to do some designs a while back by wetting and then taking a steel stamp and banging it with a mallet. Is this the way you all make such perty designs???
Thanks,
the Kid

The Ok Kid · October 10, 2007, 02:27:18 PM

Ok so I'm stupid and just noticed the post on FAQ, but my question on stamping still stands!
-the Kid

knucklehead · October 10, 2007, 03:40:23 PM

Howdy,

contact hidecrafter which is in Texas, their website is www.hidecrafter.com.
download their catalog and read it.
you will want to view the videos in the catalog. They have a very extensive selection.
the videos will explain and teach you the basics to leathercraft.
the videos are very well made and very good information.

hope this helps you out some

Ten Wolves Fiveshooter · October 10, 2007, 05:39:23 PM

Howdy Kid

Just like Knucklehead said Hide Crafters is an excellant source for info., you can also see if there is a Tandy Leather in your area, both are good sources, I don't know where you live, but there might also be an independant leather craft store in your own city or town, this is where I have gotten most of my advice, and know how, you can also buy books on sewing, laceing, stamping, tooling, and just about anything you might want to know, this is what I did, in small steps, I started with making knife sheaths, then key fobs, holster, belts, bullet slides and it just goes on and on, It's so much fun, that it sometimes it's hard too put it down, and walk away from. Once you know what your doing, there is no end to what you can do. It's not hard, give it a try... ;)Both of these leather Co. have free catalogs,just for the asking..

Hope this was some help to you, have a great day

Ten Wolves Five Shooter

Pitspitr · October 10, 2007, 08:16:15 PM

The way I got started is that my folks bought me a "beginning leather crafter" kit from tandy for my 13th birthday. It came with a bunch of tools, practice project kits and an instructional book. I used it then asked other craftsmen questions and added more tools. I'm not great by any means but I enjoy it and have made some useful items along the way.

Johnny McCrae · October 10, 2007, 10:29:08 PM

I went to the local Tandy Leather store and bought the book by Al Stohlman called "How to make Holsters". I went home and read the book then went back to the Tandy store. I bought a few tools along with some scraps of leather and just jumped in. Lots of practicing and reading about leather-working! The Leather Shop Forum here at CAS City is a great resource for me. I also bought the "Frontier Holsters" DVD by Chuck Burrows which has helped take my work up a few notches.

St. George · October 10, 2007, 11:19:38 PM

Tandy Leather has 90 locations - and they have the materials, equipment, books and helpful folks.

They even offer classes in various aspects.

Look at tandyleatherfactory.com

Be patient, buy good equipment and practice.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Judge Lead · October 11, 2007, 06:01:43 AM

Kid,
come over here every Saturday morning and attend the classes we hold in Sydney at the local leather and craft suppliers

.

It would be a pleasure to have your company.

Regards

PS. I forgot to add that it is

Sydney
New South Wales
Australia. Just for fun

The Ok Kid · October 11, 2007, 02:46:59 PM

Hahaha yeah, thanks for the invite but that might be hard. I'm in MA. Also thanks for all the great info everyone!

Sawdust Jim · October 11, 2007, 08:02:07 PM

Hi Kid,
Another resource you might think about is going to a show. Most of them will have demonstrations and seminars. The opportunity to learn from a good craftsmen is invaluable. If you're not sure you want to "take the plunge", then a show would be a good way to find out.

Here are a couple of links:
http://iilg.net/news2use.html
http://robertbeardtools.com/workshops.html
http://www.ferdco.com/index.php?action=view_category&cat_id=1083686326

Good luck,
Jim

Marshal Will Wingam · October 11, 2007, 09:46:59 PM

I got my strart when I was an insurance agent in Bakersfield and needed something to do to wile away the time in the evenings. I ran down to the Tandy store and bought a Lucky 7 kit which included 7 tools, a book, a piece of leather and a tooling pattern. After that, I had the basics and just kept going on my own. I think Tandy still offers that kit and a few other similar starter kits. That got me going with tooling and simple stuff. I really learned how to make things out of leather by working in a saddle shop for a while.

Judge Lead · October 12, 2007, 03:39:59 AM

Go to a local Tandy store, get the Saddle Maker & Leather Crafters Journal. Have a look in the back and see if you can find a listing for a Leather Guild in your area. Contact them and see what comes of it. The local store manager should also be able to point you in the right direction.

Regards

Tommy tornado · October 12, 2007, 11:04:40 PM

Read, read, read, and then practice, practice, practice. Finally, ask questions on this forum or others as they arise. There are good people on here like Marshall Will and Nolan Sackett that are happy to answer questions.

Brazos Jack · October 16, 2007, 10:29:58 AM

OK Kid,

I'm going to give a shamless self promotion here, but I highly recommend The Book of Leather Work by Jim R. Simmons. It shows how to create templates for various projects so you will learn how the same concept works for all sorts of leather projects.

It also covers four types of hand stitching, tools, leathers, dyes, and a How To section that answers some of those "What do I do here?" type questions. It's 186 pages of entertaining reading.

Contact Hide Crafters in Fort Worth, Texas . . . . . . ask for Ron.

Nolan Sackett · October 16, 2007, 01:17:04 PM

Some how-to freebies:

http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_leatherstitch.html

http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_stitchpony.html

http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/mexloop/_mexloop.html

As others have said - study and then practice, practice, practice.............

Dr. Bob · October 16, 2007, 01:54:25 PM

Nolan hit the nail right on the head. Like any physical skill, the more you practice the better you get. In that aspect leather working and shooting are quite the same.

Silver_Rings · October 17, 2007, 06:48:38 PM

As the fellow said when I went in to buy siding to install on my house "it isn't rocket science". Get a book, a few tools, some leather and give it a try. You don't have to have a lot to make a belt or holster. If you like it you can buy more things as you need/want them.

SR