Do you know how to work with leather? Tell us about it. What are some of the projects that you have made, or would like to make? Do you know of a source for lessons or a source for supplies?

This is a good basic skill to know for self-reliant living. Keeping a supply of different leathers, its tools and supplies and knowing how to use them is a prudent and wise thing to do for anyone wishing to be more self-sufficient. Many useful items can be made from leather. Learning how to repair a leather item can also bring in some pocket change.

 Beautiful handbags, leather bound books, fancy saddles (which brings thousands to those who can make them), custom shoes, gun holsters, baseball gloves, knife scabbard or sheath, a quiver to hold arrows, kid gloves or work gloves, even leather seats in a car. Lassoes, ties, belts, mocassins, watch bands, coin purses, key holders, slippers, chair upholstery, are more examples.

 Leather has been used for centuries as a tough but light and flexible product that protects the user from the harsh elements and from injury, like covering a knife blade not in use. A leather saddle makes it easier and more comfortable to ride a horse, leather work gloves protect the hands and give a better grip for the hands-on worker. There are many more uses than just these listed.Can you think of some?

Edey

Hi Edey.  We hunt deer and moose for food and I always get the hides tanned.  I've made mocassins, mukluks, mitts and gauntlets.  Never tried handbags, but they would be easy to do.  I made my Dad a vest out of an elk hide years ago.  It's very heavy, but he still wears it.  I'd like to try gloves, but I'd need lighter leather than what I have.  In the early 1980's I ordered two pattern books from a company in Edmonton.  The books were "The MacPhee Workshop Book of Making Mittens" and "Making Moccasins and Mukluks".  I'm not sure if they are still in print, but Linda MacPhee has a website and a TV show in Canada. http://www.macpheeworkshop.com  These two books taught me everything I needed.  They teach hand sewing, which is what I started with.  Now for any straight sewing I use my treadle machine with a leather needle and upholstery thread.  For gathers around toes and fingers I still do by hand.  I haven't made anything from leather for a few years, but really like it.  And I have three rubbermaid tubs downstairs with tanned hides and fur ready to go...hmm.  Like I don't have enough projects on the go now!  A cheap source for supplies would be a farmer or a hunter for the hide, salt it down good and take it to a tannery.  Buying tanned leather is very expensive.  My sister in law used to buy leather coats in thrift shops and take them apart for the leather. 

Stacy

In my post I forgot to add that a few years ago I bought a book on how to tan hides.  I've never tried it, but someday I will, and I guess I have the resource here if I ever need to (instead of just wanting to).  I always salt down the hides with coarse (or pickling) salt and ship them by greyhound bus to Edmonton to a tannery and they ship them back by bus when they are done.  It costs about $100.00 for a moose hide, depending on the size.  $25.00 for a deer hide. It would cost a lot less if tanning yourself.  A deer hide will make 3 or 4 pairs of mitts.

Stacy

Stacy:

My sister in law used to buy leather coats in thrift shops and take them apart for the leather. 

That's a good source for leather. Look in thrift shops and at yard sales for anything leather. Purses are another source. They may be thin, but still good to pick up for other uses. The books you named may be in libraries or available thru Amazon, or used book sellers.

Tandy Leather Co. has been around for years and is a supplier. Here is their web site:

http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/Locations.asp

You can do a google search to find other suppliers.

Like Stacy said, a source for hides could be someone you know who hunts. Where does the hide go when they dress out the animal? If you are interested, ask around.

Edey

Another place to check is places that make leather coats etc and see if you can buy leftovers of the leathers.

Hmm, I hadn't thought about coats for leather.  I usually get my furs from yard sale and flea market coats; although thrift stores I've been to latelly tend to like to mark them for over a hundred dollars, even though they're so out-of-style they're ugly even for retro.  $25 is my upper limit for a fur coat. 

I want to learn to make my own medieval shoes.  I did make my husband a full Elizabethan outfit from garment-split leather (was able to sew it on the old, cast iron Singer).  He's made some pouches and even took a pair of knee boots and added leather tops to them to make them thigh-high (for wearing with the Elizabethan).  He also does some leatherworking as part of his armor, and makes his medieval and modern belts.  I also made some leather-soled "sandals" with leather straps.  Oh, and I make beaded cross necklaces, where I embroider the beads onto fabric and then cut it out and back it with leather. 

So, needless to say, we have a good deal of leather here and there and everywhere out in the garage, plus tools. 

My husband found a cheap source of leather when he was making snowshoes.  He went to a shoe repair store, and the man there had lots of leftover leather remnants he sold to us for a great price.  It was less expensive than online, and he could look at the leathers and get just the amount he needed.

I haven't worked with leather much, but I'd love to make some baby/toddler soft-soled shoes using leather remnants for the sole and wool (from felted wool sweaters) for the uppers.

Catherine

A shoe repair place could be a good source for crafting bits and pieces, too. Thanks for sharing. Edey

 Back in my Renn Faire days I made some leather belt pouches to hold my wallet, keys, cellphone, etc. No pockets in wench dresses!  I wonder if I can still do it, its been such a long time.  I always found something about making chain-mail comforting. Sitting on the floor at the coffee table watching TV with a pair of pliers in each hand chaining links.

I've made jump rings wrapping wire around a dowel and then cutting them off, how do you make your chain links? What tools do you use to make them and what type of wire? You've got my interest up. Edey