r/Leatherworking 7h ago

Monthly "What Leather is This?" Megathread

2 Upvotes

Have a piece of leather you would like other members try to identify? Ask here!

Your comment must include a picture of the leather and a written description of the tactile aspects such as temper (how soft it is). Any additional pictures should be included as a reply to your original comment.


r/Leatherworking 8h ago

General Question Leather + paint + a little bit of chaos = this

Thumbnail gallery
60 Upvotes

I’ve been experimenting with marbling natural veg-tan leather and turning the results into wallets.
No two patterns come out the same, and that’s honestly my favorite part.
Which one would you pick?


r/Leatherworking 54m ago

Finished product First standard bifold

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

First time doing a standard horizontal bifold with cash pocket. Nerve wracking as hell trying not to mess up. Learned a lot though!


r/Leatherworking 31m ago

Finished product Another Vasile & Pavel pattern make (featuring Quality Control Kitty)

Thumbnail gallery
Upvotes

r/Leatherworking 9h ago

Finished product Mis ultimas Creciones

Thumbnail
gallery
17 Upvotes

Estás son algunas de mis últimas creaciones, queria preguntarles sus opiniones y que podria mejorar?

Soy el unico artesano de cuero en mi pueblo y no tengo un referente o maestro, todo lo he aprendido investigando


r/Leatherworking 1h ago

My first complete pair

Post image
Upvotes

r/Leatherworking 12h ago

Beginner Question Advice Needed

Post image
10 Upvotes

Hi all, my grandma has a leather cow hide (pictured) that I want to attach to a soft fabric/blanket on the back so that it makes a nice throw blanket.

The cowhide is the size of a queen size bed.

I have sewing experience, but no leather working experience and I can’t find anyone local to do it for me. So I have decided to do it myself.

Question - how would you go about attaching the soft fabric to the cow hide? should i attach directly, or should there be some kind of middle fabric between the hide and the soft fabric, kind of like what you do with quilting?

I understand this is a big project, but I imagine it should be fairly straight forward, as the leatherwork itself isn’t the star of the show… i just need to be able to attach the hide to a blanket.

Any advice?


r/Leatherworking 18m ago

Laser Cutting

Upvotes

Hello! Im looking for an entry level laser cutter and software to engrave, cut/upload files to cut that I’ve designed! What is a great small at home laser that you all might recommend! I am more of a structured creator that really likes to make computer renderings first!


r/Leatherworking 12h ago

Beginner Question Cutting Leather

8 Upvotes

I'm practicing my new craft, and I just can't seem to cut my leather the way I see in some YouTube videos. I know most of the people I started following have been doing it longer, but they seem to cut the leather like a knife through butter.

I have an X-Acto knife, and I bought a box cutter from Home Depot. I also have a T-square and a ruler. The pieces still don't come out even when I use them. Should I get one of those rotary cutters too?

Any advice is appreciated.


r/Leatherworking 19h ago

General Question 666% Handcrafted Made In Indonesia, Maryam Horsebutt

Thumbnail
gallery
23 Upvotes

This piece is truly outstanding. The Maryam Horsebutt Toscanello Overdyed Black Cherry leather gives it a rich, deep tone with incredible character and patina potential. The texture is rugged yet refined, showing the premium quality of Maryam’s tanning process. The Japanese‑style buckle adds a unique touch, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern elegance. Overall, the combination of rare horsebutt leather and thoughtful design details makes this item not only durable but also visually striking. It’s a perfect balance of exclusivity, heritage, and functionality.


r/Leatherworking 9h ago

Some t'too inspired card wallets

Thumbnail gallery
5 Upvotes

r/Leatherworking 2h ago

Beginner Question Dyeing a white leather jacket to a dark purple

1 Upvotes

My friend has given me an old but bright white leather jacket, and the garment tag says the shell is 100% leather, but white's not really my color and I'd love to turn it into a dark cool toned purple.

I've dyed other garments before but never dealt with leather, so I figured I should come and ask just to double check methods.

I read about deglazing the leather so the dye can penetrate and sealing it after, but Google was giving me mixed opinions on leather dye vs leather paint to get the job done so I'd love some advice from anyone with actual experience doing anything similar 🙏 thanks


r/Leatherworking 9h ago

Maintenance or repair If you had to shorten this belt by like 15 cm, how would you do it?

Thumbnail
gallery
3 Upvotes

It seems like I'd have to remove a section from the middle, but how would I join the two pieces together again in the best way? Or any other ideas?


r/Leatherworking 11h ago

Questions for Hand Stitchers...

3 Upvotes

What kind of needles do you use most often? What size are those needles? Who sells good needles for hand stitching? It's been years since I hand stitched, so I'm out of practice. Thanks for any info.

Edit: I'll be stitching non punched leather.


r/Leatherworking 8h ago

Cut the wrong size strip for the belt

1 Upvotes

Just made a cut to make a strip for belt. The probpem its too wide by 2-5 milimeters. What would be the easiest way to make it less wide? Using the strip cutter? Or there is an easier way to solve this?


r/Leatherworking 1d ago

Finished product Dopp kit

Thumbnail
gallery
17 Upvotes

Hello this is my first time making a dopp kit. I used some "leather" I harvested from a couch. This is my first time making a bag or doing a zipper! Let me know what you guys think and how I could improve.

Also I messed up during it and had to restitch some of it so if you guys have some good suggestion on how to get glue off please share your secrets. (Please ignore my dirty workspace)


r/Leatherworking 1d ago

Second wallet, 4th project total. I’m pretty stoked on it!

Post image
61 Upvotes

Wicket & Craig Harness, hand stitched, I need more patience when finishing edges but I’m pretty happy!


r/Leatherworking 1d ago

General Question Hermann Oak question

3 Upvotes

So on here, and esp on YouTube, the general consensus is that Hermann Oak is the best leather for tooling.

As a new leather worker…. Why? What is it about that makes it somehow different than a different veg tan of an equal weight?

I’m assuming it’s because of the tanning process, but what qualities does it have that make it somehow unique or noteworthy?


r/Leatherworking 23h ago

General Question Questions about upholstery

2 Upvotes

I have a friend who has offered to get me a leather sewing machine, and purchase needed leather if I make new couch cushions for his couch.

Im curious of the difficulty level of this project, also on what the cost for a machine that will work well, and the cost of leather for the cushions.

I only have experience hand sewing things so far

Any help is much appreciated


r/Leatherworking 1d ago

New Oldis One

Post image
11 Upvotes

Hello leather workers of Reddit! Forgive me if this is absolutely stupid or uninformed of me to even be asking, but I recently purchased a new leather wallet from Oldis (specifically the Oldis one). I left it in my car for a day or two in the glovebox not realizing how bad that could be for leather. Did I ruin it? I was thinking it might have a few new marks or lines on it, but I honestly can’t tell. What do yall think? I’ll take the opinion of those familiar with leather more seriously than mine lol.


r/Leatherworking 1d ago

General Question Repair tips

Post image
5 Upvotes

Looking to fix up some of the damage on my work boots, I took the pressure washer to them to get some paint off but someone left a powerful tip on the end, non of the damage is through the leather just want to restore them there nice boots


r/Leatherworking 1d ago

Finished product First vege tan project

Thumbnail
gallery
20 Upvotes

Hey, I just wanted to share my first project made with vegetan, I already worked a bit with chrome tan but I was amazed how those materials are so different.

It's a simple knife pouch my father asked me to make for his birthday and he's really happy about it.

I had some trouble with the dyeing because the leather I bought actually had a water repellent finish so I did what I could with some chemicals I had to remove it. Also my measures were a bit off so the flap is barely closing the pouch but I hope with time it will stretch and be a bit less tight, it just doesn't go as low as I would like.

It might not be perfect but I'm still proud of it.

If anyone has some advice linked to what they can see on this project for future ones I'll be happy to hear them.


r/Leatherworking 2d ago

Beginner Question First project I'm satisfied with

Thumbnail
gallery
139 Upvotes

What else do you guys think I should improve?


r/Leatherworking 1d ago

Tooling flower buds

Post image
5 Upvotes

I bought this tooling pattern from Gabor Fine Art. Has anyone tooled flower buds like this before?


r/Leatherworking 1d ago

Beginner Question How would you go about making these chocolate brown/mahogany?

Post image
3 Upvotes