How Tos

There are many articles, YouTube videos, and blog posts about sewing leather, but there are a few about one subject many people find confusing: thread size. When originally writing the content for this topic, even I found it to be a bit difficult, so I thoroughly revised my first version and tried to simplify everything […]

Today’s short post on using a glue pot will help you complete your leatherworking projects a little faster. This is the kind of tip you’d never hear if you are self-taught and work alone. Many leatherworkers are a hot mess when it comes to using glue, and one of my biggest pet peeves in our […]

When I look at the guides for stitches per inch, there are several ‘rules of thumb’ out there, and upon further digging, it seems like most of them are made up or there are many exceptions to the rules (…psst, which means they aren’t really rules of thumb in the first place). Today, I want […]

Sometimes, you need to cut a leather belt end or a strap end but don’t have an end punch. Or you might have a few end punches but none that will fit the strap width you need. Today’s leatherworking technique post is about how to cut the end of your strap by hand. This is […]

Picking the right needle for hand-sewing leather can be the difference between a 30-minute job and an hour. If your sewing needles are ill-suited to your work, you will fight through every stitch on your project. If you pick the right combination of needle and thread, sewing can be the most relaxing part of your […]

When I teach students how to make leather goods, I teach techniques and skills to help their leather projects last. Whether that is picking the most effective way to glue or selecting the right part of the leather, every little bit counts. Even if you get these right, your pieces will still age and wear […]

Today is a short article, but a question I always get in class: “Is contact cement the same as rubber cement?” In short, no. Both are the predominant adhesives used in making leather goods, and each has its distinct use. An easy way to remember the two is “forever on contact, flexible with rubber.” Contact […]

Using gum tragacanth to burnish makes getting smooth, consistent leather edges easy. People use different edge-finishing products like CMC, Tokonole, Magic Edge, etc. I like it because it is readily available, simple, and gives nice-looking, fast results. In online discussions, people will abbreviate it to ‘gum trac,’ they are the same thing.  If you need […]

Chèvre leather is one of my favorite kinds of leather because it is so easy to use, and it looks great. It is a very distinctive hide that stands out when you see it. Many high-end handbags, as well as beloved home projects, use chèvre. In a similar way to cow and horse hides, different […]

Today’s post highlights the work and life of Hamish Lamley, the founder and sole craftsman behind the unique works of Pictavia Leather. I recently stumbled upon an article that shared his story, including the history, motivation, and circumstances that led him to create truly unique leather goods.  If you’ve been following our blog for a […]