All Guides
Every tutorial, technique deep-dive, and tool guide on the site.
Best Leather Weight for Trays: Holding a Form Without Collapsing
The best leather weight for a valet tray is 5–6 oz veg-tan (2.0–2.4 mm) for shallow walls under 1.5 inches, stepping up to 7–8 oz (2.8–3.2 mm) for…
How to Add Padding to a Leather Strap: Lined vs Built-Up
There are two honest ways to add padding to a leather strap: line the contact face with a thin soft leather to take the edge bite off, or…
How to Make a Leather Dog Leash: Hand-Stitched, From Strap to Snap
Making a leather dog leash is collar work stretched long: cut a 3/4-inch strap about 6 feet from 8–9 oz bridle, fold and stitch a swivel snap at…
How to Remove Water Stains From Leather Without Making It Worse
To remove a water stain from leather without setting a permanent ring, dampen the entire panel evenly rather than spot-drying the wet patch, then let it dry slowly…
How to Make a Leather Catchall Tray: One Piece, Four Snaps
A one-piece leather catchall tray is a cross-shaped blank folded up at four corners and held with a snap at each one. Cut it from 5–6 oz veg-tan,…
Leather Laptop Bag Making Guide: Protect Your Machine in Style
A laptop bag has a job most leather bags do not: it has to protect an expensive, fragile machine from drops, corners and rain, while still looking like…
Leather Carving Tools Guide: Swivel Knives to Backgrounders
The tools of leather carving divide into three jobs: cutting the line, shaping the cut, and texturing the surface. A swivel knife cuts, bevelers and shaders shape, and…
Sizing a Dog Collar Correctly: Measuring, Hole Spacing, and Adjustment
To size a leather dog collar correctly, measure the dog’s neck snugly where the collar will sit, add 1–2 inches, and set the middle of five adjustment holes…
Leather Valet Tray Making Guide: Weight, Molding & Builds
A leather valet tray is a flat panel wet-formed into a shallow bowl: case the veg-tan, bend the walls up, and either snap or bone the corners so…
Best Leather for Straps: Why Bridle and Harness Beat Soft Hides
The best leather for straps is firm, low-stretch veg-tanned leather cut from the bend: English bridle in 8–9 oz for most straps, harness leather for anything that lives…
How to Make a Leather Pocket Slip for Pens and Tools
A leather pocket slip is the simplest useful case you can build: a single folded panel of 4–5 oz veg-tan, stitched up two sides, that holds a pen, a…
Leather Strap Making Projects: The Complete Guide
A leather strap is the most honest project in the craft: it is mostly one long edge, and that edge tells anyone holding it whether you know what…