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 […]
Contact Cement vs. Rubber Cement for Leather
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 […]
How to Use Gum Tragacanth on Leather
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 […]
The Case For A Simple Leather Case
When people ask me what leatherworking course to take from us, I always recommend the Simple Leather Case Course. Even if they are an experienced leathercrafter, the case course will help them. In old-school French cooking, the omelet is considered the true test of a chef’s skill. There’s a scene in the movie ‘The Hundred-Foot […]
Goat Hides Refined: Chèvre Leather
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 […]
How to Realize Your Leatherworking Dream
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 […]
Videos: A Glimpse Into the Leather Tanning Process
Today’s post highlights the leather tanning process and sheds some light on how leather is made. In watching these videos, I really started to think more about the craftsmanship that goes not only into a finished leather piece, but also the artistry behind turning raw materials into beautiful leather hides. In the first video, you […]
Instagram Highlights: The Many Ways to Make a Card Wallet
I love Instagram. When I’m feeling stuck or uninspired in the middle of a project, scrolling through the feeds of some of the best leatherworkers in the world gives me a lot of motivation to keep going. Some people use Instagram like any other social media account, but for me, a curated feed of high-end […]
The Traditional French Saddle Stitch (And How to Watch Youtube Videos in Another Language)
I’ve posted a few times on saddle stitching for leather and, if you’re like me, it’s interesting to see all of the subtle variations on the technique. One leatherworking tradition can do things one way while another will do something slightly different or even the complete opposite. I love learning about the differences because it […]
Customer Creations: A Collection of Wallets
This week’s Customer Creations post includes an assortment of handmade wallets and card wallets constructed by some of our truly gifted customers and readers. Included are a beautiful themed wallet with edges made smooth by the help of our edge paint roller, a simple, but elegant two-tone card holder, and some colorful Corgi wallets stitched […]