Leatherworker Training

Lesson 1 • Understanding Leather Types and Grades

Covers full-grain, top-grain, corrected-grain, and split leather distinctions. Establishes material selection criteria used throughout every project in the course.

Lesson 2 • Essential Hand Tools Overview

Introduces cutting, punching, stitching, and finishing tools by function. Students gain vocabulary and handling confidence needed before any cutting begins.

Lesson 3 • Measuring and Marking Leather

Teaches accurate measurement with rulers, wing dividers, and scratch awls. Precision marking directly determines cut quality and pattern alignment.

Lesson 4 • Basic Leather Care and Storage

Explains conditioning, humidity control, and proper hide storage to prevent cracking or mold. Proper storage habits protect raw materials and finished goods alike.

Lesson 1 • Using Clicker Dies and Strap Cutters

Covers mechanical strap cutters and steel-rule die cutting for repeatable production pieces. These tools increase speed and consistency when making multiples of the same part.

Lesson 2 • Skiving for Thinning and Joining

Introduces flat skiving, edge skiving, and channel skiving to reduce bulk at seams. Proper skiving prevents lumpy joints and allows clean folding on thin projects.

Lesson 3 • Curved and Template Cutting

Teaches swivel knife use and template tracing for curved pattern pieces. Accurate curves ensure proper fit in assembled wallets, bags, and holsters.

Lesson 1 • Burnishing Edges to a Finish

Covers water, gum tragacanth, and beeswax burnishing methods by hand and with a rotary tool. Burnished edges resist moisture and fraying in daily-use items.

Lesson 2 • Surface Preparation for Tooling

Explains casing leather to the correct moisture level for clean tool impressions. Proper casing prevents torn fibers and ensures crisp, deep carving lines.

Lesson 3 • Edge Beveling and Shaping

Teaches selecting bevel size, consistent angle, and corner transitions. Beveled edges accept burnishing compounds evenly and signal craftsmanship quality.

Lesson 1 • Embossing and 3D Modeling

Teaches modeling spoons, ball tools, and wet-molding for raised three-dimensional effects. Modeling skills expand design possibilities beyond flat stamped surfaces.

Lesson 2 • Background and Texture Stamping

Covers matting tools, backgrounders, and geometric texture stamps to fill negative space. Background work adds depth and contrast that elevates carved designs visually.

Lesson 3 • Design Transfer and Layout

Teaches tracing film transfer, stylus technique, and design scaling. Accurate transfer is the foundation of every carved or stamped decorative project.

Lesson 4 • Stamping Tools and Beveling

Introduces bevelers, seeders, camouflage stamps, and pear shaders for dimensional relief. Correct stamp angle and mallet force create consistent depth across a panel.

Lesson 1 • Pricking and Spacing Stitch Holes

Teaches pricking iron selection, consistent spacing, and corner hole placement. Even hole spacing is the single greatest visual indicator of stitching quality.

Lesson 2 • Saddle Stitch Execution

Covers the two-needle saddle stitch sequence, tension control, and locking the final stitch. Saddle stitch is stronger than machine lockstitch and is the industry standard for hand work.

Lesson 3 • Gluing and Clamping Before Stitching

Explains contact cement, rubber cement, and double-sided tape for pre-stitch bonding. Proper adhesion holds layers aligned during stitching and adds structural integrity.

Lesson 4 • Finishing Stitched Seams

Covers trimming thread ends, burnishing the stitch groove, and final edge finishing after assembly. Post-stitch finishing unifies the piece and protects thread from abrasion.

Lesson 1 • Acrylic and Oil-Based Painting

Teaches brush control, layering, and color mixing for decorative painted designs. Acrylic paints allow fine detail work and opaque coverage unavailable with dyes alone.

Lesson 2 • Antique and Highlight Finishes

Covers gel antique application, wiping back, and highlight paste for carved relief. Antiquing dramatically enhances the visual depth of tooled and stamped designs.

Lesson 3 • Alcohol Dye Application Methods

Covers wool dauber, sponge, and airbrush application of spirit-based dyes. Even saturation and controlled blending prevent streaks and blotchy color on finished goods.

Lesson 1 • Constructing a Key Fob and Strap

Covers loop construction, snap or rivet attachment, and strap finishing for key fobs. Simple hardware integration introduced here prepares students for larger hardware projects.

Lesson 2 • Building a Bifold Wallet

Guides construction of a card slot wallet with interior pockets and a bill compartment. This project integrates skiving, gluing, stitching, and edge finishing in one complete sequence.

Lesson 3 • Pattern Making for Small Goods

Teaches drafting patterns from measurements, adding seam allowance, and testing in scrap leather. Accurate patterns eliminate waste and ensure consistent results across multiples.

Lesson 1 • Hardware Installation: Buckles and D-Rings

Teaches slot cutting, keeper loops, and riveted hardware attachment for straps and closures. Secure hardware installation determines the functional lifespan of any bag or belt.

Lesson 2 • Gusset and Base Panel Construction

Explains side gusset attachment, base panel reinforcement, and corner shaping for structured bags. Gusset and base work define the bag's volume and structural rigidity.

Lesson 3 • Strap Construction and Adjustment

Covers cutting, skiving, folding, and stitching shoulder straps with adjustable hardware. Well-built straps distribute load evenly and are the most-stressed component of any bag.

Lesson 4 • Lining, Pockets, and Interior Finishing

Covers fabric or leather lining attachment, interior pocket construction, and final interior finishing. A clean interior signals professional quality and protects bag contents from abrasion.