This skills-based course immerses the student in the fundamentals of traditional leather crafting. This class is both for beginners and those who have some experience but wish to gain a well-rounded foundation for their practice of leather work. You’ll complete several projects within 20 hours of class work.

Skill sets include:

• Leather Knowledge, types and weights,
• Reading a side of leather—where to cut
• Tool identification and proper usage
• Measuring/squaring
• Cutting tools and techniques, changing blades, strap cutter
• Gluing: prep, aligning edges, when glue is viable, removing glue.
• Burnishing
• Punching holes, punching slots; choosing the proper size, techniques
• Setting rivets and hardware
• Buckles:  installing, creating a ring buckle, keepers
• Trouble shooting rivets, eyelets and snaps
• Setting misc hardware
• Hand Sewing and edge braiding  double needle saddle stitch, baseball stitch

Projects include wallets, belts, cuffs, card holders, cases, 4 and 6 strand round braids, messenger bags