Not All Leathercraft Projects Are Flat

Not all leatherworking projects are flat. Most are not. I consider flat projects to be mats, journal covers, card cases, wallets, and belts. Yes, they have components requiring true three-dimensional consideration, but they are relatively simple or involve only one project detail. For example, how does the middle of a wallet fold so that you can properly close it, or how much does it take to skive a belt to fold over the buckle?

When you build something like a bag, cylinder, or box, you must keep in mind all three dimensions. What does this stitch look like on the other side? What is the circumference of the leather as it wraps around the lining? These are all more complex calculations that make challenges like measuring the card spacing on a wallet trivial by comparison.

While it can be frustrating to figure out, building items with depth and dimension is very satisfying. I have a woodworking background and love building cabinets, cases, and furniture. All of these require three-dimensional thinking and considering all sides of a project.

Last week, I wrote to you about stretching and growing your creativity. You can similarly stretch your leatherworking skills by building simple projects that push you to think beyond relatively flat pieces. Bags are a common project choice when you start to think beyond straps and wallets, but because of their size, bags can be time-consuming. Even a simple tote has a lot of edges to finish; two straps with a short 14-inch drop are already at least five feet of edge finishing.

I often tell my students to do deliberate practice, that is, making leather goods that push to the edge of their abilities in at least one aspect. The challenge in deliberate practice is that sometimes, the results of your efforts fall short. This is fine in the long term because you are expanding your skills and improving your technique. In the short term, it can be heartbreaking to work on a big project and then screw it up in prominent places.

Leather is expensive, and you should make the best projects you can. However, this is at odds with pushing boundaries and allowing yourself to make mistakes. The solution is to narrow your focus and make small but significant improvements. What I recommended last week about pushing your style and creativity boundaries also applies to new techniques and construction. Try smaller projects. Want to improve your curved cuts? Cut circles. Want to make those circles usable? Make coasters. Want to try cylinders? Make a coaster holder.

Practice can sometimes feel tedious and pointless, so making usable but low-stakes items can give your practice sessions more meaning. There are many projects you can do over and over again to practice your technique and skills that don’t feel like wasting your time.

Here are a few more examples:

• Zipper pulls – small stitches and tiny pieces.
• Key covers – small details and small cuts.
• Bracelets – straps and edge finishing.
• Business card holder – boxes.
• Pen/pencil cup – cylinders.
• Small trays – formed pieces, awkward edge finishing.
• Pen holders – sheaths, fitted items.
• Small Pouches – gussets.
• Handle covers – fitted items.
• Air Tag covers – fitted items.
• Luggage Tags – clear inserts, skiving, hardware installation. (thanks JD for the last two suggestions)

They can be short practice projects, and you benefit from having multiple versions. You can make them more substantive and continually refine them, as well as your style and technique. You can also experiment with new leather, thread, paint, and other materials.

Baby and kid shoes are a great way to overcome the mental hurdle of making shoes. So are sandals. All are relatively short and don’t require a lot of materials.

Gusseted wallets, pouches, and wallets with coin pouches are great short projects that help you understand gussets. You can do many of them in the time it takes to create one bag.

If you have other small projects you can do in repetition, I’d love to know. Please share them in the comments.