Blog — Leather Tools

In last month’s post we received a request to dive a little deeper into the use of knife work and floral designs, no pun intended. At Texas Saddlery we love showcasing our work and are happy to provide some tricks of the leather crafting trade. Below are some tips on how to get started and how to perfect your skills.

For the last tutorial in our “how-to” series, we’re providing you with instructions on how to design a leather coaster. Though coasters may not be high on your priority list, we think they’re a great way to practice design and detail skills, and can add a great accent to your home decor! Keep reading for our tips, but also feel free to get creative and explore designs that you enjoy!

We’ve been covering the basics of getting your new leather crafting hobby started. As part of the series of posts, we’ve been including simple, beginner projects to help you jump in. This time we want to share with you some tips on crafting a leather belt! If you remember, we’ve shared on this topic in the past but it’s time we bring you an updated tutorial!

Depending on the type of item you decide to create first, you may need to master certain skills. Projects where you intend to fold or sew your leather may require you to thin the leather first. Thinning, or skiving, is the process of removing layers of leather from the flesh side of the hide leaving it flexible and soft.