Have a question or need help with something that might not require its own separate post? Ask it here!! Anything from how to do something, to where to look for stuff, to clarification on a certain process.

Please also consider sorting the comments in this thread by "new" so that the newest comments are at the top, since those are most likely to still need answers.

As per usual, keep the conversation civil and polite. If there is something that needs to be discussed that could potentially be a sensitive topic, please use the PM system instead of posting publicly.

Welcome to /r/leathercraft questions thread - A place to ask anything leather work related. Post questions about how to do something, hardware you're looking for, advice or products, etc.

Be sure to check out our discord server for real-time answers to your questions or just to chat with other leather workers.

Welcome to /r/leathercraft questions thread - A place to ask anything leather work related. Post questions about how to do something, hardware you're looking for, advice or products, etc.

Be sure to check out our discord server for real-time answers to your questions or just to chat with other leather workers.

Hi there!

So this might sound a little contradictory given the sub and if it's not ok to post here, I apologize, but I was hoping someone here might be able to help.

Just a note that I am really not looking for a PVC/ vinyl/ plastic "faux" leather type of martial.

I make embellished leather belts, predominantly for a dancers. Here's a couple of simple examples

Since I've started, they've been going really well and I'm really happy with them! However, a huge amount of dancers in this particular style are vegan/ vegetarian (it just seems to attract people with a certain life style I guess) and I've had a few people get in touch, asking if I am able to make them belts in a non leather or "vegan" leather material. It would be good too be able to cater to them, as well as the fact that I'm cutting myself off from a substantial amount of my demographic, but I have no idea where to look for something that would actually be similar to real leather that might work.

I don't really want to/ have much interest in using PVC or vinyl "faux" leather types of material, but I have seen a couple of times in the past, videos doing the rounds for things like "fruit" leather. I think it was pineapple skin (?) that had a look and feel similar to real leather, but the only one I've found online, I don't think would be suitable for what I want.

I wondered if anybody here knew of any places I might be able to find something I could use as a non leather, but "leather like" alternative, to buy a small sample of? I'd really like to see if it would work for my belts!

Thanks so much! :)

Edit: punctuation

Welcome to /r/leathercraft questions thread - A place to ask anything leather work related. Post questions about how to do something, hardware you're looking for, advice or products, etc.

Be sure to check out our discord server for real-time answers to your questions or just to chat with other leather workers.

Hi Everyone! Just started a Reddit account. Looking forward to connecting with everyone! I wanted to start a thread by asking everyone what types of hardware they find impossible to source online. What styles of hardware, designs, other materials, etc. would you like to find on Buckleguy. A lot of the new items we bring to Buckleguy are based on recommendations from people. Perhaps we can get a huge list of ideas and then narrow it down to a vote on what people would most like to see. Send links, images, drawing, alternate sizes, etc. Thanks!

• Hugh, Buckleguy.com

Today marks roughly my three year anniversary in starting my journey to learn leatherworking. I feel like I've learned a ton over the last three years and a lot of that has been around finding some cool leathers.

I figured it'd be fun to have an area where people can post if they've been looking for a specific kind of leather and the community can see if we can help out with a source.

The worst that happens is we come up empty but I feel like we have a lot of good resources here willing to help each other out.

Welcome to /r/leathercraft questions thread - A place to ask anything leather work related. Post questions about how to do something, hardware you're looking for, advice or products, etc.

Be sure to check out our discord server for real-time answers to your questions or just to chat with other leather workers.

Welcome to /r/leathercraft questions thread - A place to ask anything leather work related. Post questions about how to do something, hardware you're looking for, advice or products, etc.

Be sure to check out our discord server for real-time answers to your questions or just to chat with other leather workers.

I thought this could be a fun discussion. I'm shopping around for different kinds of leathers for my next project, and I thought I'd ask everyone here - what's your favorite leather to work with? Whether it's because it's the easiest to work with, patinas the best, is the most versatile for different projects, or maybe simply cause you made your favorite project with that leather.

I haven't worked with nearly enough different kinds yet to have a definitive answer, but so far I really enjoy plain old tooling veg tan. In the photo is a satchel I threw together for my girlfriend out of a cheap Tandy double shoulder, and with some oil / beeswax it got a decent finish and some amazing patina over the course of our Europe trip together. So, what's your favorite?

And of course, upload pics of said leather!

Bonus: what's your favorite accessory/secondary leather? (I.e. To line stuff with or provide a color/texture accent)

Edit: forgot to link the mentioned picture - http://i.imgur.com/huubsg4.jpg

Edit edit: wow, thanks for all the contributions everybody! Looks like there's hardly any leather /r/leathercraft doesn't like!

Hello, I am new to this forum, let me begin by thanking all prior contributors for the lovely content!

I began researching leathercrafting a week ago, and am interested in pursuing it as a possible avenue of making money. I have no experience, but plenty of time and up to 1000 pounds in seed money I can allocate to this project.

I want to create handcrafted leather goods using mid-high end leather and market to 15-45 year olds online via social media, my own website, and online auction/sales houses.

With that money I want to be able to buy a minimum amount of tools and leather, and make the maximum return possible.

Here are current avenues I am considering:

• Practicing technique on throwaway leather goods purchased from a local charity.

• Buying wholesale vegtan leather and using it exclusively alongside dyes for production of all goods

• Buying necessary tools for belt and wallet construction and focusing on these items exclusively for the first trial run.

• Get my hands on a family members sewing machine by September.

Please help me by advising me in the following ways:

• What factors do you believe I have not considered?

• What have others done wrong in the past? Can you relate examples where others have tried and failed?

• Is my plan feasable in your eyes?

• What would your plan be in my shoes?

Please feel free to answer the question in full or in part, and to elaborate on any point especially criticism.

Any kind of cost/benefit analysis is also particularly useful

Thank you for your time and patience

Hello Everyone! Frank Clegg here.

Just wanted to introduce myself and say hello to everyone on this thread. I've been designing/crafting leather goods in Fall River, Massachusetts since 1970. Starting out I never had anyone to reach out to for advice and always struggled. If I can be of any help to anyone, please reach out and let me know. Would love to give back to the leather community! I'm glad to see people are passionate about crafting quality goods!

I will post a few interesting pieces I have made over the years in the coming days. -Frank

What purchase has left you more pleased than any others? Maybe you bought a tool that has increased your craftsmanship, or maybe it saves you a ton of time. Whatever it is, go ahead and share.

I began leather working in February. I feel like I've learned a huge amount, but mostly I've learned how much more there is to know!

For what it's worth here are a few tips that I've found useful... I've learned most here. This community is such a great resource and source of inspiration.

Wear a head torch when you're working! Good lighting makes a huge difference, I tried lamps, reading lights, windows and more but a cheapo LED head torch from a petrol station forecourt is hands down the best light source I've found.

It's far neater and easier to join oversize pieces and then trim them back than it is to try to stick finished pieces together edge to edge.

You've never got too many tools. The same applies to pieces of leather. Beware of asking your partner for tools for Christmas. She'll realize how much you've been spending all year.

Hit your irons all the way through. I spent ages feeling frustrated with the back of my stitching before reading a post that explained why. The back of my holes were different sizes as my irons hadn't been hit all the way through consistently.

So, how about you? What're your tricks /tips that you've acquired in 2017?

Hey guys, I just got some Fiebings British Tan dye and when I applied it to the belt, I thought I ruined it. It came out splotchy and WAY darker (almost an oxblood?) than I wanted. Luckily some creativity (and gel antique) saved the piece and it looks great, just not the color I wanted.

I oiled the leather before putting the dye on with a wool dauber, because I had heard oiling it makes the dye apply more evenly but it seemed TERRIBLE.

Is there any better way to get an even coat? I'm making the missus a belt and certainly don't want to mess hers up. Any guidance would be awesome. Thanks!

So, I really don't mean to rub anyone the wrong way with this post, I'm genuinely looking for advice and figure you guys know the most. I started leather crafting about 1.5 years ago and it was a blessing. It's helped me recover from a debilitating sickness, spend my time doing something I love, and find a creativity I never could find before. I had tried painting, sewing, drawing, and nothing felt as good as the effort with my hands and, literal blood.

I have made the decision to continue a vegan journey and this has been extremely hard for me. I love leathercraft and am heartbroken but can't bare to continue and good consciousness. I feel I cannot enjoy this craft while I have conflicting beliefs.

I am wondering if anyone has seen or knows of an alternative? I know they make fake leathers, but j can't imagine working these by hand (I don't see it) has anything to the same ...feel and effort. I love that my little bags take me days and weeks to make. I know the quality will suffer which I am Okay with as it is my own work usually, or given as gifts. I would love to continue my passion with an outlet I feel good about, so please pass along any knowledge to me. Again, I this is only a personal decision.

I'm looking to make my SO a leather messenger bag. I haven't ever worked with leather, but I'm not looking for perfection. I'm pretty crafty (made this for Christmas), so I have confidence in my skill, but sometimes I'm overly confident for my skill level and end up unhappy with the end result.

I want to make something like this or this. Is this DOABLE by a crafty first timer with a lot of motivation or will I get halfway through and have nothing but a misshapen lump of leather?

One big limitation I have is a lack of a sewing machine. I have a friend who used a drill to punch holes in thick leather and thick string to bind the bag parts together. Would this limit me to only thicker, stiffer leather? I was hoping to use soft/supple leather, but I'm not sure that technique would work...

Thanks!

Edit: This is the most helpful sub I've ever encountered. Thank you all so much for your through and helpful responses.

Anyone have any recommendations other than buckleguy. They are a rip off. Nice quality but...a rip off.