Leather has remained one of the most reliable and valuable materials throughout human history. Sturdy and versatile, we use leather for clothing, bags, accessories, and more for fashion and practical applications. If you like working with your hands and want to try it for yourself, here are some tips for beginners wanting to learn leatherworking to help you avoid common mistakes.
Start Small
It’s always good to start small when you’re learning the ropes, as biting off more than you can chew can quickly become frustrating and discouraging. We recommend beginners start with projects like wallets, coin purses, keychains, or phone cases. There are many beginner projects for you to try out, so you won’t feel too restricted at the start. With these simple projects, you’ll hone some basic skills that will be foundational to the craft.
Know Your Tools
Next, you’ll really want to take the time to understand and become familiar with your tools. Leatherworking can require many different tools for particular processes, and you don’t want to accidentally use the incorrect tool. Otherwise, your project may come out wrong. The beginner-level projects you start with will help you assemble a basic toolkit that you’ll become familiar with before you attempt anything more complicated that requires specialized tools.
Where To Source Your Leather
Lastly, a good tip for beginners wanting to learn leatherworking is to identify a reliable source of leather. Online retailers are always a good option because you can find a wide variety of leather to buy wholesale. In fact, while you’re learning, we recommend you look for offers of scrap leather. This leather is cheaper than whole hides, so you can learn which common mistakes to avoid and which to make without feeling like you’re ruining the leather or wasting your money.