Let us create a 3D eBook for you!
Let us create a 3d Digital eBook for you! DigyCat.com

 

Preparing For a Leather Craft Project


Once 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? ***
Here's How to Get Your Answers Quick and Easy
Click Here ==> Leather Secrets


MORE RESOURCES:

Hobbies - Google News

Joan D. Kreider, Oct. 24, 1928 – Feb. 7, 2012 - Uinta County Herald


Joan D. Kreider, Oct. 24, 1928 – Feb. 7, 2012
Uinta County Herald
Her hobbies included oil painting, knitting, crafts of all kinds, golfing and singing. Joan is survived by her daughter, Jan Pecenka, of Evanston; sons, Jeff (Sandy) Pecenka, of Cheyenne, James (Shaunna) Pecenka, of Evanston, Jay (Sandra) Pecenka, ...

Family and Health: Sugar craft students go back to school with amazing ... - Huddersfield Examiner


Family and Health: Sugar craft students go back to school with amazing ...
Huddersfield Examiner
Joanne, who lives in Netherton, is relying on the fact that cakes have a universal appeal and the demand for absorbing, stress-busting hobbies is on the increase. She has teamed up with Sue Foster, a fellow member of The British Sugar Craft Guild, ...

and more »

FREDA M. RATHBUN - Hornell Evening Tribune


FREDA M. RATHBUN
Hornell Evening Tribune
In her younger days, Freda was a pro skater and her hobbies were crotcheting, knitting and many other crafts. She loved her shopping, especially the flea markets. In her quiet time, you could find her playing computer games. Her favorite one was Pogo.

Victorian era full of Valentine's - Republican & Herald


Victorian era full of Valentine's
Republican & Herald
While antique hair receivers are worth about $30 to $50 and are available at yard sales and flea markets, the hair crafts made from all of this saved hair are hard to find. Victorian women saved their hair in a small ceramic bowl with a hole in its top ...

and more »

Learn a New Hobby - About - News & Issues


Learn a New Hobby
About - News & Issues
hobbies resources here on About.com, I resisted putting painting first because it would seem biased. The skills from other crafts are always useful for multimedia too... Seriously, most creative people I know have a particular focus but work across ...

For hobbyists, it's creative playtime - Santa Rosa Press Democrat


For hobbyists, it's creative playtime
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
The public is also invited to come by and learn more about a range of hobbies, most focused around models, many radio-controlled. The word “hobby” can evoke a limitless range of pastimes, from collecting to scrapbooking, sewing to arts and crafts, ...

Downtown PHX's Spread the Weird Offers Smorgasbord of Life Lessons - College Times


Downtown PHX's Spread the Weird Offers Smorgasbord of Life Lessons
College Times
... crafts, and culinary arts. Spread the Weird Studio is what owners Denise and Jay Clayton call an "idea house." The studio, located inside a historic bungalow in the midst of Phoenix's art district, is a collision of all their life hobbies, ...

Moms Talk: What Is Your Favorite Hobby? - Patch.com


Moms Talk: What Is Your Favorite Hobby?
Patch.com
The other hobby I have is doing crafts with my children. They may not look that good when we are done, but sometimes it is the act of doing it that really makes it fun. Answer from Mom's Councilmember Emily (mother of 2): Some of my favorite hobbies ...

Farm show results - Reading Eagle


Farm show results
Reading Eagle
Mary Heffner, Fleetwood: four awards in the canned foods open category; first, baked products open; six awards in the crafts open category; third, hobbies. Julie Yoder, Mohrsville: third, canned foods open; second, baked products open.

When it comes to crafts, think beyond needlepoint - Toronto Star


When it comes to crafts, think beyond needlepoint
Toronto Star
I've dabbled with papermaking and encaustic, but never really took them up as hobbies. Lately, however, I've found great joy in exploring crafts with a rich history if not modern day popularity. Late last year, for example, I took an introductory ...

and more »

Click here for Best Buy In-Store Pickup

StreetSideAuto.com

Looking For Royalty Free Photos for your Website, Business or Advertising?

My Life Through The Lens

Jumbuck Domain Is For Sale - $5,000 For Enquiries eMail Us

© www.Jumbuck.biz 2011

home | site map | links

eXTReMe Tracker