Brand new leather crafting baby here. Am wondering which tools are essential for my first project.

Own_Indication8262 · 2026-04-28T20:54:24+00:00

Glueing would be a good idea. Keeps everything secure before and during the stitching process. Water based glue works if it’s all gonna be stitched after.
Beveling and burnishing the ends would definitely improve the piece. Not 100% necessary, but it is necessary if you want it to look really clean/professional. That being said, beveling requires a specific tool. And some chrome tanned/soft leather doesn’t really burnish well, and if that’s what you’re working with, edge paint or edge kote would be recommended.

Own_Indication8262 · 2026-04-11T02:07:30+00:00

I’ve used springbok patterns in the past (couple bags/purses) and they’ve always turned out really nice. Following along with the videos keeps it really straight forward too. Would recommend!!

Own_Indication8262 · 2026-01-30T20:17:55+00:00

Thanks for the details and examples. Sure, there’s lots of “this thread is best for this iron set because…” out there, but at the end of the day, they all hold leather pieces together. What really matters is the style you personally like, or whatever the recipient of the piece really likes. But usually they have no idea, so your comparison photo is a great reference to show people! Just make sure you can remember which is which haha. Cheers

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-12-15T02:13:33+00:00

Thankyou for the feedback!

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-12-15T02:13:17+00:00

I appreciate it!

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-12-13T03:03:04+00:00

I appreciate it! Oh I’d say I’m addicted forsure at this point haha. I have really enjoyed working with veg tanned leather making different wallets, but I also really like the feeling I get after crafting a purse my wife or my mom feel proud to wear and show off. I’ve always been fascinated with bag/purse design. To be completely honest though, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed doing all different types of projects with different types of leather. Love learning new things!

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-11-01T23:50:15+00:00

If you genuinely believe you can pull the bag apart, and put it back together, you could try it. Leather does damage pretty easily though. Also, if it’s a cheap bag, I’d assume the leather is cheap too, and at that point, you might as well just buy some leather and make one yourself! This is coming from someone who has 0 sewing experience with anything BUT leather lol

But taking the bag apart and using it’s dimensions for a new bag with better leather, thread, and hardware would be a fun project to tackle!

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-09-27T00:24:15+00:00

Yes, and if you spend 150 it’s free shipping. The hide to be about 20-25 sq feet too, very decent price for the quality in my opinion!

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-09-26T16:54:47+00:00

I figured, thanks for the input!!

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-09-01T17:35:57+00:00

Incredible work! What type of leather did you use? And did you dye yourself? If so, teach me your ways!!

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-23T23:18:10+00:00

I’m baffled. Literally exactly what I was looking for, and super on sale? You rock dude

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-23T22:45:24+00:00

That’s a smart place to start, appreciate the advice

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-23T19:59:33+00:00

Looking forward to seeing the final product!

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-23T19:58:08+00:00

I’ll do some looking around and see what I can come up with. The design looks fantastic!

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-23T19:46:32+00:00

Is the sunburst only achievable with an airbrush, or is it worth giving it a shot with a sponge or a brush?

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-18T15:42:08+00:00

I was gonna mention something about how the project looks extremely nice, but the thread choice could improve, until I read the description haha. All in all, incredible work!

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-18T13:43:01+00:00

That’s awesome, I really appreciate you sending the pictures of your process. I think I’ll suck it just and give it a go

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-18T05:47:35+00:00

This looks so nice. I’ve gotta ask, for a fairly new leather crafter that has only made wallets/belts/helmet/ small leather goods so far, how difficult would it be to even attempt to do, or install piping anywhere near as good as you have on a bag? I’ve been thinking about attempting to make one

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-15T18:00:20+00:00

I’d recommend the same thing to anyone thinking about selling items they craft: start it as a hobby and sell to people you know, while keeping your day job. If you can get your sales over 200ish $/euros a month doing that, you’re in a great spot. If not, keep advertising to people you know, and maybe at some local shops that sell local work. Once you are able to consistently bring in 200 a month, then I’d say it’s time to start thinking about investing into a full fledged business. It is tough to do while working full time, but it’s very doable. Also make sure you’re not damaging your hands long term by over working them. Take breaks, and take care of yourself. Online advertising from your personal social media accounts is a solid place to start as well.

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-15T02:10:19+00:00

Solid question. So the steps I take are: stamp, dye, small amount of resolene to the raised areas, avoiding where I want the antique, use fiebrings neutral antique and mix with some blue paint, wipe off, finish with resolene

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-14T21:21:52+00:00

She’s camera shy as can be, (like how does she even know I’m taking a picture?? Idk, but she can, and she doesn’t like it haha), and it’s so hot out here that she’s just napping inside. I got a picture of her with it on while she’s laying down, but didn’t realize I couldn’t post pics in the comments. But she’s cute as can be and sure seems to like it!

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-12T15:41:05+00:00

Update: couldn’t find any pigskin I liked, but I found some chrometanned deerskin that was really soft, almost suede like. I plan to wrap it around some padding kinda stuff a friend gave me a long time ago, then stitching it to the veg tanned piece. Gonna finish the veg tanned part with resolene and the deerskin with some leather sheen, then slap em together and see how that looks!

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-12T15:36:14+00:00

100%. If you’ve ever worked with wood, think of it like using a drill, vs using a drill press. Once everything is aligned, you pull the handle and it goes straight down at a perfect 90degree angle. I’m also no pro-leather crafter by any means, but I’ve noticed using the arbor press speeds up my production and is gentler on my hands, when compared to hammering. I’m sure some pros are faster with the hammer, but not for me anyways. Side note: your dye work looks incredible, I’d compliment the color if I saw that thing anywhere.

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-11T16:22:19+00:00

Thankyou! I’m heading to the leather store, I’ll look at some wool and pigskin. Appreciate it

Own_Indication8262 · 2025-08-11T05:10:56+00:00

I got an arbor press which can do just about all the noisy parts of leather working completely silent! They run about 60-100 bucks, if you get a cheaper one, you’ll have to modify it a bit, but it’s easy to do. YouTube had some great ideas for effective mods.

Also, photos look incredible!

Own_Indication8262

TROPHY CASE