This is my first attempt at leatherworking. I didn't use a pattern and hand stitched without a pony, so I think it's a decent start all things considered. More so than wallets, I'm keen to eventually pair leatherworking with bookbinding for crafting journals and notebooks and the like.

All facets need work, particularly straighter and cleaner initial cuts. I haven't sanded or burnished the edges yet and I'm sure using a pattern for the next one will help with sizing and layout.

Is there anything in particular you notice straight away that I can focus on to improve on this? Any and all tips and advice would be greatly appreciated!

Basically, I’m looking for a pattern for a bag that opens flat (or close to it), has a handle, and uses little to no hardware. This one checks all the boxes, but I’d rather make it myself than buy it. I’m a reasonably capable leatherworker, just not a very experienced one yet. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

After months and months of putting off ordering leather because well I dont have a good excuse just nervous of messing up a perfectly good hide. Saw weaver was having a little promo for labor day weekend literally an hour before it ended so I quickly looked through their website and ordered 2 things. Ive made a handful of things in the last year with repurposed leather ( old boots and an old wallet) but have been wanting to try making better things and possibly sell some stuff here and there. I realize its 20 minutes till 12 so I scramble to checkout and totally forget to put the code in. Completly overlooked it tripple checking my info was right. I doubt it and its a very long shot but do we think if I email them they could give me at least like 5% off? It was supposed to be 15%. It did process on the 7th which is when the promo ended so maybe? I was so excited to finally be ordering stuff I entierly forgot the code. Such a dummy.

Hello fellow crafters.
I have very recently started an interest into leatherwork as an extension to making cloth and vinyl bags previously (small purses/wallets are my aim). I am slowly building up a tool box after having watched tons of video's online. However, I have seen almost all of the workers using a stitching pony. Having looked online, I am undecided which pony is the best for me. I have seen ones that sit on the chair and held in place by your legs, but also freestanding and ones with table clamps. I cannot afford to try different ones and the one that I do get has to be the right one from the first off. I have a room dedicated to crafting so having to put it away at the end of the day is not an issue. Can you show me your pony setups and pros/cons of them?
P.s, I am UK based if you attach links.

Photos are of my very first non-sew leather coin purse. I am aware that loads of work is required to finesse my work.

I recently bought a hole puncher like in the pic but my squeezing is too weak to make a hole. I’m living alone so I can’t ask for help either. What would you suggest?

Flask made from 3mm buffalo leather. Happy with the result. No leaks at all. Holds 180 ml of my favourite liquid.

Irecently finished this doctor bag, basing the design on a piece I made last year. That original version was designed for a woman, so for this build, redesigned the handles, increased the height slightly to fit a laptop, and added a front pocket. It's crafted from full-grain, natural milled leather and solid brass hardware. have to say this piece was actually a collaboration with a local metalsmith. When couldn't find the exact brass handle mounts needed, I made a foam-board prototype and took it to him-and he made them in solid brass. I have included Some making pictures. Let me know your thoughts and suggestions Thank you

I messed it up pretty bad with a large plastic container in the front seat.

Hi all,

Just tried to engrave my leather bound book, and I’m already quite happy with the outcome, but I’m wondering if any one have idea how to improve it?
I know it’s not the best design to engrave, but that’s the best I can get.

(The rhyme was unintentional)

I'm upcycling some of my dad's old shoes to use the leather for another project in doing. However I'm kinda stuck on how to handle the remaining glue from the sole, as well as the places where different pieces/panels have been connected.

Any other advice on how to handle stains n stuff would be cool aswell, as it once being a shoe is more obvious on some places than others..

So I'm working on a scabbard for a LARP sword. To keep the sword from getting damaged, I want to line the inside of the scabbard with felt. To do that, I need to glue the felt on before I shape and harden the leather.

Can someone recommend a hardening method I can use after the felt has been glued on?

I'm a beginner at working leather btw.

I hope it’s okay to ask here.
I got caught in a sudden downpour the other day with my leather messenger bag and both the bag and I ended up absolutely drenched. It’s a Roots “Tribe” leather bag, which is a sort of nubuck-esque leather.
The bag has dried alright, with no damage to the interior, but parts of the outer flap and strap have curled and feel quite stiff. It’s darkened fairly uniformly in colour but doesn’t have any obvious water spots (perhaps because the whole bag is probably a large water spot now).
Though it’s a bit delayed, how can I revive and condition the bag properly? I have some Saphir Creme Universelle that I use for my smooth leathers, but I’m not certain if it will be too heavy for this one. Also, should I first re-wet and weigh the bag down so it dries in the proper shape?
Advice much appreciated.

Suede for the exterior, lambskin for the interior.
All machine stitched ( juki)

My most popular wallet pattern of all times :)

I make these wallets a lot. Lot of variety, tooled vs plain, dyed leather or dye yourself, fabric or no fabric,single color or a variety of colors. Very beginner friendly, cheap to make and doesn't take a lot of time.

Sell for $50,make for $10,profit $20 an hour even at the beginner stage. Have fun!

I just acquired this J Peterman counterfeit mailbag, and am hoping to restore the nubuck to a little of its former glory. The Tandy leather folks guided me towards a suede eraser, so with that and a crepe rubber and then horsehair brush I was able to get a bit of the nap back. I’m hoping to dig into these stains a bit more if possible, although I know stains are a bit of the bane of the existence of nubuck. Is there anything I can do? Thinking suede shampoo, conditioner? The eraser only got some surface marks out. Any help would be appreciated. Step-by-step would be helpful, this is my first leather bag, and really hoping to make it worth keeping around for a while! TIA.

This is how it came out, finally figured out how I like to stitch it instead of long threads which was a nightmare. You can see right after the buckle holes where I ended it, it’s just for me so I like it. I didn’t burning the back side because I like the feel of it without 🤘🏻