The Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started My Leatherwork Journey

Hey there, I’m Krys, and let me tell you about the thrilling adventure of how I started my leatherwork journey, which began back in 2016. Picture this: I was way into customizing my motorbike, searching for the perfect leather bag to complement my ride. But, nothing could quite fit without breaking the bank. Leatherwork was pricey then, and let’s be real, it still is today. Synthetic options? Nah, not for me. So, what did I do? I rolled up my sleeves and dove into crafting my own bespoke designs, starting with a nifty tool roll. And let me tell you, from that very moment, I was hooked!

Now, fast forward to today, where I proudly crate these leatherworking tips for you under Qcrafted.com banner. Through my journey, I’ve come to understand why quality leather goods come with a hefty price tag.

Firstly, the materials themselves don’t come cheap.

Secondly, leather isn’t the easiest material to tackle—it can be quite a challenge. And thirdly, crafting leather goods is a labour of love that demands time and patience.

But fear not, fellow leather enthusiasts! In this post, I’m dishing out my top 10 tools that’ll kickstart your own leathercraft journey with a bang. Plus, I’ll share savvy tips on how to save some coins on leather, as well as nifty time-saving techniques to keep you crafting like a pro in no time.

If you’re more of a visual learner, hop on over to my YouTube channel for a hands-on demonstration. Now, let’s talk tools! Here’s what I’d recommend investing in if you’re just getting started:

A trusty utility knife paired with a sharp 45mm rotary cutter.
A handy compass tool for marking out stitching lines and measurements.
A range of hole punchers in various sizes, because you never know when you’ll need ’em.
A wooden edge slicker for those flawless finishing touches.
An essential edge creaser—trust me, it’s been my go-to for seven glorious years.
A time-saving strap cutter to breeze through those strap creations.
Sturdy blunt needles for all your hand-stitching needs.
A mallet or hammer for those satisfying finishing touches.
Setters for snaps, eyelets, and all those little add-ons that make your projects pop.
And don’t forget a cutting mat and punching block to keep your workspace protected.

talking about the tools check out our latest video https://youtu.be/AkcIHRxTDcw

Now, let’s talk about saving some dough! Here are my top tips for those of you starting your leathercraft journey on a budget: Scope out local suppliers for the best deals on smaller leather pieces, Purchase only what you need for each project to avoid excess. Prototype your designs using cheaper materials before diving into the good stuff, And don’t forget to practice on those leather scraps—it’s the perfect way to sharpen your skills without breaking the bank.

And because time is of the essence, here are some time-saving hacks to keep your crafting sessions running smoothly:

• Invest in tools that ease repetitive tasks, like a green press or a walking foot stitching machine but buy them in the right time.

• Plan your workflow strategically, tackling time-consuming tasks like dyeing first so you can multitask while things dry.

Phew! That was a whirlwind of leather-loving wisdom, wasn’t it? Check these 2 projects I prepared for you to start your leatherwork journey with: