Leather Craft Projects For The Novice

Preparing For a Leather Craft Project

Once you've decided on your leather craft project you will need to have proper tools and an appointed area in order to do the work. Being prepared beforehand will make your project more gratifying.

Trimming the Edges:

To trim the edges of your leather project, set it out on a leveled surface. Make certain the leather is moist, and keep it wet with a spray bottle full of water.

Next you'll have to have what is referred to as an edge beveling tool to flatten the newly cut edges. The prongs that make the shape of a V should be positioned so that they're positioned upward on each side of the edge.

Stabilizing the beveling tool at around a 45 degree angle with your finger on the top of the tool, then push the edge beveling tool away from you while working down the edge, holding the leather project rigidly in your opposite hand.

As you work at the leather, little pieces of leather should come off. It is a good idea to try it on small pieces of leather prior to you using the leather beveler on your official project, until you feel more comfortable with the tool.

Marking the Cut:

Find a pencil and a straight edge or ruler to draw the place you want to cut on your leather craft project. You should just mark very lightly. A round edge should be helpful if you are cutting a curve. Use the edge of an X-acto knife on a metal edge and cut on the line keeping the blade flush against the edge.

Tools:

When working with leather, consider the fundamentals: an awl and spare point, an X-acto knife with spare blades, a rotary punch and a retractable knife with a break-off blade.

Furthermore, you'll have to get needles, a pair of strong scissors, wax lined thread, a lump of beeswax, and a pair of pliers.

Then you'll find bevellers and leather edge slickers that will clean up the edges, drive punches for making bigger holes and thong cutters for lace making. A folding rule and yardstick are imperative to make certain that your leather craft piece is accurately measured.

What You Should Cut On:

No matter the leather project, it's necessary to cut your piece of leather. Use a flat surface protected by a rubber mat. The rubber will safeguard your tools and supplies and stop them from getting blunt or dull. If you want to try a different technique, you might try a cutting board that self-heals. Cuts made in this type of board, seal up. Products like this are readily available to buy at Staples or art supply stores.

Review:

If you are just starting out with leather, you may not want to spend a lot of money on crafting tools. When you've worked with a basic set of tools and finished a few projects, you'll have a good impression of exactly what tools and supplies you like best.

Finally, comparative shopping and a small amount of research might lead you to buying a finer leather crafting tool when needed. Unquestionably, even really costly tools won't help if you don't allow for the time to develop and perfect your leather crafting skills.

If you do your very best with what you've got, it will not matter if you can't afford the latest knife or the most expensive leather craft awl. Your work quality will show through once you have the basics down.

You can generally locate a leather art supply store in your surrounding area when you search through the yellow pages of a phone book. Several stores have a leather shop nearby.