I love to learn about the history of leatherworking. While there are an ever-growing amount of leatherworking resources online, there are still many areas of leathercraft that are difficult to find. I can access a nearly endless supply of articles and videos on beginning techniques. but there’s hardly anything available for different skiving methods or […]
Videos: The Art of Fine Precision
Today’s post is a collection of two videos from two very talented and well-respected English leatherworking companies. The first, from Equus Leather, is a perfect example of how deliberate, sustained attention and an eye for detail create a beautiful finished piece. Just notice the focus and precision that the artisan brings to skiiving, creasing and […]
Leathersmithe’s Making Your Own Sandal Guide
Davy Joel Rippner, a long time sandal maker, was recently reading our post on experimenting with sandals. He directed me to the great article on his site Leathersmithe, which takes you step by step on how to make a pair of sandals using a design that he has refined and used for many years. We’re […]
Choosing Between Outstitch and Lasted Shoemaking
Today we’re bringing you a special guest post by master shoemaker Sara McIntosh. We met up a while back when I was visiting Chicago and I was impressed by the organization she founded, the Chicago School of Shoemaking. Sara is a master teacher there and has built up an impressive facility and student following. In […]
Leather Thickness Conversion Chart
I keep this chart handy for myself and thought I would share it with all of our readers. Converting between oz, mm, and inch can be a pain, and this reference chart makes it a lot easier. Most leather in the US is measured in ounces, and one ounce equals 1/64 of an inch. Remembering […]
Videos: Making Watch Straps
This is a fairly detailed video by thewatches.tv shows the Hermes watch strap making process. It takes you on a journey from clicking out the leather all the way to sewing, edging and final fitting. Part One Part Two
Improving How Your Design Wears
Last week I wrote about experimenting with design. I focused mainly on how a design ‘looks,’ but that a design also encompasses how your creation functions. In the case of leather goods, this includes how the piece stands up to regular use and how it wears over time. A good design effectively accomplishes its purposes. […]
Experimenting with Leather Sandal Builds
10pm Saturday night. I try to publish a post every Friday morning for the Fine Leatherworking blog. On most Thursday nights I am doing final edits and then queuing the post for our newsletter and our blog. Two days later, I have long since blown that deadline. I will eventually end up posting a week […]
Practice Finer Details with Key Accessories (Updated)
I love discovering short projects that can be completed within a day. As a new parent it’s hard to devote time to leatherworking, so I try to maintain my skills in any way possible and in any amount that I can. When I found this article by Caitlin and Manda from The Merrythought, it inspired […]
Right Place, Right Tool, Righteously Good Leather Work
It used to be that whenever I was in the middle of a project, I would lose track of a tool. It could be a knife, a pricking iron, or sometimes even my awl. I would look up from my workbench to see chaos. Pieces of leather would be everywhere; my tools would be sitting […]