I've been working with leather for years and I don't think I have found a more information video on truly understanding the material we work with. This is so crucial for any Craftsman. Thank you for sharing your extensive knowledge and experience with us. It is truly invaluable.
Oh, yeah... it was very helpful to me: I learned a lot from this video!... I'm starting on leathercraft and I'm learning the more I can. Thanks a lot Don!...
I have a tip especially for large project with a lot of small pieces.. do pattern lay out, photograph it. Repeat this several times with thought to texture pattern direction stretch color variations etc.. take a photo of each lay out... then review the photos to focus on the best placement.. We did at least a dozen layouts for a motorcycle seat... final results .. perfection. It has stretched where it needed to allow stretch, it has remained firm/stable where that quality is needed.
That's some fantastic level of knowledge and wisdom right ^there.^ Laying out is an art and a science in painting and sculpture, as well. The Golden mean, and Leonardo DaVinci, eg....
Super helpful. I am newer, and have never purchased anything besides straps. I bought a full side and will be starting cuts tomorrow. This helped ease my mind immensely on how to get my belts, collars, slings, etc out, and not mess up the portions for other things. Thanks Don.
Sweet vid. Thanks Don. Can’t believe someone disliked it. With all the info you’ve provided for free and took out ur own time to do this, I just wanted you to know how grateful I am. Thanks again. Btw how much for a side like this ? Mark in Paducah Ky. 👌😉
Wow! Really great info. Thank you so much for taking the time to put this together. Very informative with lots of helpful tips and suggestions. Just bought some more patterns from your store; you have such a talent!
Thanks Don I've been doing my own leather work for a few years now and I too have made the mistake of stripping out a hide for belts and creating a lot of waste. Good info I wouldn't have known otherwise!
Excellent video Don. Did Aaron cut out the clutch purse pattern for you? Would be super cool if you all offered some your patterns through Makers. The pattern packs are great, but to have them in the heavy plastic would be awesome! Just a thought....I know I'd buy!
Lots of good information on this one. Man I wish I would have thought about the belt blanks. I have been just cutting the whole hide into belts. Wasted a lot of good leather. Thanks for the tips!
Great stuff man! As a newbie I'm just soaking it all in and that was very valuable information. Definitely some knowledge that I know will save a lot of time and hassle down the road. Keep up the good work.
Awesome video, Don. Thanks for taking the time and effort to make it. This one has a ton of great information. I’ve paused it several times to tell my wife what I was learning right at those moments. I have tried to be good at minimizing waste as much as possible, but I never thought about cutting specific types of projects from specific areas of the hide. This video is pure gold!
Love your videos Don. I learned a lot with this one, thank you. Could you please expand a little on the different uses or types of projects are best with all the different oz. of leather. I’m sure there’s already a quick reference guide out there for this. Keep the awesome videos coming.
Great video. Thanks for taking the time to make them. Can you do one on selecting the proper weight or thickness for a particular project? it there a method to this or is it just trial and error? Also maybe what types of leather to use, like veg tan vs latigo? Thanks again, I really enjoy watching your videos.
I bought my first leather a few months ago, off flebay, turned out to be belly.. But I've made loads of small projects, mostly folding knife sheaths, small pouches and a lovely bifold wallet which my Son loves 😍 Still have some left too. But parts are sooo stretchy, just good for practicing my stitching.
Nice video. I’m new to leather working and I’m using a side of 10/12 oz veg tanned saddle skirting leather to make a sling chair seat and back. It is approximately 1/4” thick. Question: will skirting leather like this stretch very much? Is there anything I can do to it to minimize the stretch? Or can I somehow pre stretch it? I was planning to treat the flesh side and burnish the edges with a product called Tokonol. Not sure if that increases decreased or does nothing to effect the stretch? Thank you.
Thank you for this video, really good information. What is the top of that table made of? Also, how big is it? I've never worked with a whole side before, and I would like to make a table large enough to handle it. Thanks again!
Thanks for the video Don! I just got into leather working and have a few friends asking about split reins and single ear headstalls. Would you suggest cutting those items from the belly?
I use double shoulders for making belts, would 9-10 oz sides be a better hide or buy? I haven't had an issue using shoulders except 72" is typically the longest length I can get out of it. I rarely get an order for a belt longer than that and can buy a longer strap for a decent price. I use Tandy's Oak Leaf shoulders because I can hand pick the shoulders as there is a local store in El Paso. I haven't found the quality of their Oak Leaf to be any less than Hermann Oak, but I can't hand pick them from Weaver or Springfield so I get what they pick for me and it sometimes isn't something I would have chosen whether it's Hermann Oak or not.
What area of the hide and weight would you use if you were to cut breast collar? I am going to be making my own breast collar . And before I forget, do you know of any place or business that that makes breast collar patterns because the pattern I have is for a one type pattern only. Any help you can provide will be valuable. Thank you so much for all you do for people like myself who are getting into the leather working world.
