![]() |
Preparing For a Leather Craft ProjectOnce you've decided on your leather craft project, you'll need the right tools and room to do the work. Being prepared ahead of time will make your task more enjoyable and give you a sense of satisfation when you're done. If you're like most of us you'll probably be working on more leather craft projects over time, so creating a designated area is probably a good idea. What to Cut On: Regardless of the project, you'll need to cut your piece of leather. Choose a flat surface protected with a rubber mat. The latter will help protect your tools and prevent them from becoming blunt. Alternatively, you can purchase a self-healing cutting board that comes with a grid work. Any cuts made in the board seal up. This product is readily available at such shops as Staples. Marking the Cut: Use a ruler or yardstick and a pencil to mark the cut. Just make a light mark with the pencil. A rounded edge will help if you're cutting a curve. Then place a metal straight edge along the line you have drawn. Using the tip of an X-acto knife, cut along the line, keeping the knife against the metal edge Trimming the Edges If you want to trim the edges of the leather, lay the piece out on a flat surface. Make sure the leather is damp, and keep it so by using a spray bottle full of water. You'll need what's called an edge beveling tool to smooth the cut edges. The two prongs that form its V shape need to be positioned so that they are facing upward on both sides of the edge. Keeping the tool at a 45 degree angle, with your index finger on the top of the tool, push it away from you along the cut edge, holding the leather craft piece firmly with your other hand. As you work, small strips of leather will come off. It's a good idea to practice on small scraps of leather before using the leather craft beveller, so you feel comfortable with it and what it can do. Tools to Use * Cutting board, preferably self-healing kind * Ruler, pencil, metal straight edge, rounded edge * X-acto knife * Leather craft edge beveling tool Summary * Use a cutting board * Mark where you want to cut before you cut! * Dampen the leather when trimming the edges * Butt the knife against a straight edge or a curved edge for more control More on Tools For working in leather crafts, consider the basics: an awl and spare point, a retractable X-acto knife and spare blades, a retractable knife with a break-off blade and a rotary punch. In addition, you'll need needles, a lump of beeswax and some waxed linen thread. As well, a pair of pliers to pull the needle through the leather is a must, and scissors you can use for cutting the leather. Then there are edge slickers and bevellers that are used to finish the edges, drive punches for bigger holes and thong cutters for making laces. A T-square, compass and yardstick are essential to ensure that your leather craft piece is measured accurately. If you're just starting out with leather crafts, you might not want to spend a lot of money on tools. Once you've worked with the basic set and completed a few leather craft projects, you'll have a better idea of what tools work best and what you use most. At that point, a little research and some comparative shopping can lead you to acquiring better quality leather craft tools that will enhance your work. Of course, even the most expensive tools won't help if you haven't taken the time to develop and perfect your skills. If you do your very best with what you have, it doesn't matter if you can't afford the most expensive leather craft awl or the latest knife. Quality will show anyway. Summary * Start with a basic leather craft tool set * Buy better quality tools once you've completed some projects and have a better idea of what will enhance the quality of your work *** Hey! Need To Know More About Leather? ***
Get your crochet hooks, paintbrushes, scrapbooks, and creativity ready: Hobby Lobby opens soon Progress Index Wellesley Business Buzz: Hipstitch sewing & knitting studio coming to Church Square; WHS seniors with insider knowledge launch Akston Tutoring The Swellesley Report Michaels Draws Buyout Interest From Private Equity The New York Times Creative workshops see boost in numbers as people pick up new hobbies in lockdown South West Londoner Sew much fun quilting and crafting your way through COVID Wooster Daily Record What's Happening at Your Library - Paulding County Progress The Paulding County Progress Janice Rae Adams | Obituaries | championnewspapers.com Chino Champion Wasting money on lockdown subscriptions you no longer use? The Independent Obituary: Rechelle Jacques | Lewiston Sun Journal Lewiston Sun Journal Here are five of the best craft shops in Lancashire Lancashire Post Hints from Heloise: Don't advertise your life The Union Leader Buy Books To Support The Library - MyVeronaNJ My veronanj De-stress to be your best! The Bucknellian Persell Middle School Announces Students Of The Month Jamestown Post Journal Janette Jaros Alt, Struthers, Ohio WKBN.com Soar Into Spring With GNPS Community Ed Great Neck Record Kirk Andrew Servantez | Obituaries | globegazette.com Mason City Globe Gazette Ask Heloise: Don't advertise your life - The Advocate-Messenger Danville Advocate Obituary: Phyllis Franck - Portland Press Herald pressherald.com Louise Nicholson | Obituary Times-Enterprise The Punk Rock Linguistics of Cottagecore JSTOR Daily Coronavirus pandemic: This ‘Netflix-like platform’ strives to facilitate early learning among kids The Financial Express Most Popular Lockdown Hobbies for Women Revealed | News Craft Business Collingwood artist gathers following with homemaker YouTube series CollingwoodToday.ca TV preview: Jenny Eclair: 'It's an afternoon show on channel 4, there are rules and regulations' HeraldScotland TODD SMITH — Facebook to pay $1 Billion to news industry Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal 7 Quarantine-Friendly Hobbies to Try Right Now Real Simple Local hobby and craft specialists seeing uptick in consumer interest Charleston Gazette-Mail Local author publishes fourth novel, a thriller | Arts & Entertainment | coastalpoint.com Coastal Point 11 unique at-home craft ideas to see you through quarantine, creatively goodhousekeeping.com Heloise 3-5 | | theprogressnews.com Clearfield Progress Hobbies keep us entertained, relieve stress during pandemic HollandSentinel.com 30 Best Hobbies for Women - Creative Activities to Fill Your Free Time - GoodHousekeeping.com GoodHousekeeping.com 50 Hobbies for Men You Can Start at Home The Trend Spotter Widen Your Horizons: Hobby & Craft Books 2020 Publishers Weekly Crafting new hobbies to get through 2020 INQUIRER.net New Jersey Sues Smith & Wesson Over Its Gun Advertising The New York Times Best hobbies to do at home while self-isolating Stylist Magazine At the Library: Let the library be your hobby incubator The Westerly Sun 'Trying to find positivity': UNC athletes find hobbies during COVID-19 The Daily Tar Heel Ben Morris Sundancetimes People Have Gone Full 1800s The New York Times COVID Long Island: Roslyn teen Caroline Faber creates crafts program for kids in homeless shelters WABC-TV The Top 5 DIY Trends, According to Michaels BobVila.com The Best New Hobbies to Try During Quarantine (That We’ve Written About) New York Magazine Detroitisit - Looking for an Exciting New Hobby in Detroit? Submerge Yourself into the City Culture Detroitisit Not a crafter? Here’s why you should consider becoming one during the pandemic. The Washington Post Hobby Lobby scheduled to open to the public mid-September Sault Ste. Marie Evening News Endangered Crafts and the Destinations Keeping Them Alive The New York Times Pandemic projects: Family finds joy in crafting together The Spokesman-Review A pandemic winter is a great time to start a new hobby Minnesota Public Radio News
|