What Do You Need to Learn Leather?

Areyou worried that leatherworking will be too hard to learn? This guide will help you understand the best methods for learning leatherworking and what you should study first to make the learning process easier. This way, you’ll be successful however you choose to apply your new skills. 

What is Leatherworking?

Leatherworking, also known as leather crafting, is the practice of turning leather into useful items or unique pieces of art using techniques like molding, dyeing, carving, stamping, and fabrication. With evidence of the practice dating back to 50,000 BCE, the crafting of leather goods is perhaps one of humanity’s longest and most time-honored traditions. 

During the Bronze and Iron Ages, leather was even used for crafting shields, shelters, and jewelry. Leather goods have always been in high demand and were iconically utilized by the Greeks and the Romans (gladiator sandals, belts, and holsters can all still be found in modern fashion today). Throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance, leatherworking went through a creative boom with tooling, painting, dying, and carving used for decoration. New tanning methods and further developments in the Industrial Age helped to streamline the practice into what you see today. 

Both handmade and machine-made leather goods can now be found across the globe and serve as valuable, functional, and stylish pieces fit for any occasion.

Discover Leather

• Up to $20 off your first class
• 10% Reward Points
• Price lock guaranteed
  
• No added fees

Thousands of classes & experiences. As featured in Time Out.

Learn More

Benefits of Learning Leatherworking?

There are several benefits to learning this tactile art form. Did you know that working with leather can improve your physical health? The precise hand movements of leatherworking can help improve your hand-eye coordination and working with small tools will help improve your fine motor skills and dexterity. Plus, cutting, punching, and molding leather requires a certain amount of exertion and can help you build strength.

It can also help improve your mental health. Leather crafting involves repetitive motions done by hand. These motions activate different neural pathways that help the brain to send calming signals throughout the body. Working with leather requires concentration and allows you to exercise control over something, both of which can provide a boost to your mental health. 

Practicing leatherwork can also help you form new connections. Leather artisans are a small community of passionate craftspeople. You can try plugging into groups like the International Leather Club, join forums, or peruse local meetups of like-minded leather workers near you.

The art of leather crafting holds so much potential as a creative career. Professional craftspeople could find themselves working for a large retailer or designer or running their own small business selling bespoke leather items. Those that set out on their own could sell at markets, pop-up events, and festivals locally or nationwide. 

Is Leatherworking Easy to Learn?

Becoming proficient in leatherworking does have a learning curve but, ultimately, it is a craft that anyone can do. Having previous knowledge in sewing and/or pattern design can be extremely helpful, and assembling your tool kit will make the process a lot easier, too. Mastering the basics of leatherworking should only take a few hours, so an in-person or online class can be a great way to get started. 

Nazz Forge is located in Brooklyn, NY, and offers leather Belt Making, a 2.5-hour course that teaches the fundamentals of leather making. You’ll utilize skills like cutting, edging, riveting, and stamping to create a handmade custom leather belt. COVID-19 vaccination is required for all classes at Nazz Forge, as is a signed waiver form. 

Also in New York, you can learn to sew your own handmade moccasins at Brooklyn Shoe Space in Williamsburg. Students will learn how to use a sewing machine and the techniques needed to sew by hand. You’ll need to provide your shoe size before class because you’ll take home your one-of-a-kind moccasins when it’s over!

If you live in the Windy City, check out Wet-Formed Leatherwork at the Evanston Art Center. You’ll learn all about wet-forming, an ancient technique used to sculpt hide into a strong and rigid form. You’ll also practice the basic skills needed to craft a variety of your own handmade leather goods. 

TIMMY MAYS in Alameda, CA offers a fun and unique leatherworking course. Students will design and make a custom leather pet collar while learning the basic tips and tricks of leather crafting. You’ll start with a leather strip and hardware and, with the assistance of a skilled instructor, you’ll cut heavyweight leather, use a leather punch, and stain and bevel your handmade pet accessory.

What You Need to Know Before Learning Leatherworking

Learning to craft with leather can take some time, uses tools that may be costly, and often requires a dedicated space for you to work. With a combination of several separate skill sets, learning leatherwork means mastering the basics of sewing, leather dyeing, design, and perhaps even tanning. Having a basic understanding of sewing, pattern making, and solid math skills can go a long way in helping to speed up your learning process. Plus, using the right tools can make all the difference. 

What You Need to Learn Leatherworking

Leatherworking is a supply-heavy hobby. While there aren’t necessarily a lot of materials involved outside of leather and potentially a textile lining, there are quite a few tools needed. Below is a list of the most common tools you’ll need to help you get started on becoming the next great leather craftsperson.

Awl

An awl is a metal-pointed tool used for marking, piercing, punching, and sewing leather. You can use it to pass a thread through each hole on two pieces of leather to join them together. 

Beveler

Featuring a metal blade with a prong-like tip, a beveler is used to remove the square corners from leather goods. 

Burnisher

Used to smooth and harden the edges of leather, a burnisher is usually made of wood and works thanks to applied friction and pressure.

Cutting Tools

Cutting tools will be essential, and there are multiple options. A strap cutter is used to cut straight lines, while a rotary cutter is used to slice curves. Your cutting tools will vary depending on your project.

Leather Glue

Leather glue is a basic yet extremely important supply. You’ll need to make sure it’s specified for use on leather and suede.

Maul

A striking tool used for stamping, tooling, and setting rivets, a maul is made of a head and a handle, similar to a hammer and mallet.

Pricking Irons

Pricking irons and chisels are tools that are used for marking and creating holes in leather. Built with equally spaced metal points, they’ll be essential to the crafting of leather goods.

Leather Punch

Designed for making holes in leather, a leather punch is great for setting rivets or making holes in belts and collars.

Leather Skiver

Made from metal, a leather skiver shaves thin layers of leather off the surface of your piece.

If you’re into embossment, then you’ll want a leather stamp. 

Leather Stamps

Made of metal, leather stamps are used to create designs on the leather’s surface.

Cutting Mat

Not to be overlooked, a cutting mat will help protect your work surface when you use a knife or rotary cutter to cut out your pattern pieces.

Other Small Supplies

Basic must-haves, needles, thread, and tools to hold the leather while you sew will be important.

Key Takeaways

• Leatherworking is one of the oldest trades known to man and has stood the test of time thanks to its unique combination of form and function. 
• From mental and physical benefits to helping you make friends or start a new career, the benefits of learning leatherworking are seemingly endless.
• Learning leatherworking may have its challenges but, ultimately, it is a skill that anyone can learn
• Having previous skills in sewing and pattern-making can help speed up your learning process.
• Leatherworking requires a substantial amount of tools, from rotary cutters to leather punches and skivers to pricking irons. 
• Curious about all your educational options? CourseHorse offers private lessons and private group classes that can be structured to fit your exact needs. Reach out to CourseHorse to find options for online or in-person training, including private group sessions.