Books – Leather Crafters & Saddlers Journal

Elements

Ralph Solome — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:19:40 +0000

Years and years of study, trial and error by Karla Van Horne are invested in her new book titled Elements. This book is compiled of Karla’s notes and sketches explaining and illustrating how to draw scores upon scores of floral elements that go into filling a pattern layout. The book is in a three-ring binder, loose-leaf format for easy removal and replacement of the pattern pages. 231 pages.

Braiding Fine Leather: Techniques of the Australian Whipmakers

Ralph Solome — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:09:02 +0000

In this book, David Morgan, the expert who made the whips for the Indiana Jones movies, shows how to braid simple projects quickly. With close attention to detail and a little practice using the methods described here, novices can produce attractive and enduring items from precut lace or a skin or side of leather. Braiding Fine Leather was written to help the beginning braider acquire basic skills. After completing some simple projects that can be done well at an early stage, the braider will develop the confidence to attempt more involved types of braided work, from handsome clothing accessories to practical livestock-handling gear. The book begins with an overview of materials, tools, and fundamental braiding methods. Then seven projects are presented, each adding something new to the skills already practiced. Photographs taken in sequence are used to illustrate the instructions, giving the new braider a close-up look at each step in the braiding process. The techniques used in this book come from those developed in Australian whipmaking shops, which are well-recognized for the high quality of their work. The craft had been carried to Australia by thongmakers from England, who were familiar with the thongs used on finely braided carriage whips. Kangaroo leather, one of the finest leathers available for braiding, provided the material for high-quality work, and a large and discriminating market in Australia led to highly refined techniques. Providing complete, straightforward instructions and close-up photographs showing each step in the process, David Morgan has created an excellent book for those who want to learn to braid leather.

Size: 7.0in x 10.0in | Pages: 160 | 308 b/w photos, 5 illustrations

Binding: Paperback / softback

ISBN: 9780870335440

Leather Art: Molding, Shaping, and Color Techniques to Take Your Work Beyond the Ordinary

Ralph Solome — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:09:08 +0000

Learn one-of-a-kind methods for adding artistic punch to your creations.

Through 18 projects with step-by-step instructions, leather artist and gallerist Cathy Wiggins teaches you how to create beautiful and functional art by molding and sculpting leather. Although intermediate-level leather crafters will find this book especially inspiring, no previous leather experience is required, and this way of artistically using leather is also appealing to anyone ready to try leather as a new art medium.

Start by making a leather vase and small bowls to understand the basics about how shaping, molding, and color use can deeply impact any leather item. The next projects show how to use those techniques to create more-complex pieces. Each utilizes skills learned in the previous chapters, building your confidence in molding and sculpting leather as you progress through the book.

You'll learn how to select the right leather, use dyes and paints to create depth and dimension, and then use molds to sculpt the leather into just about any shape you can dream up. Projects include bowls, catchall trays, lighting, table sculptures such as a Rawhide Fish and the artist's popular design the Reading Angel, and dimensional wall art. Plus, an inspiration gallery of Cathy's original art offers you even more ideas to get excited about in your own work. Many leather crafters are looking for more than practical construction patterns; instead they're ready to add artistry to their work. Through 18 projects with step-by-step instructions, leather artist and gallerist Cathy Wiggins teaches you how to create beautiful and functional art by molding and sculpting leather. Although intermediate-level leather crafters will find this book especially inspiring, no previous leather experience is required, and this way of artistically using leather is also appealing to anyone ready to try leather as a new art form. Start by making a leather vase and small bowls to understand the basics about how shaping, molding, and color use can deeply impact any leather item. The next projects show how to use those techniques to create more-complex pieces. Each utilizes skills learned in the previous chapters, building your confidence in molding and sculpting leather as you progress through the book. You'll learn how to select the right leather, use dyes and paints to create depth and dimension, and then use molds to sculpt the leather into just about any shape you can dream up. Projects include bowls, catchall trays, lighting, table sculptures such as a Rawhide Fish and the artist's popular design the Reading Angel, and dimensional wall art. Plus, an inspiration gallery of Cathy's original art offers creators even more ideas to get excited about in their own work. A new, attractive craft material most people haven't taken advantage of yet. Projects are stylish, varied, and attract a wide range of crafters.

A popular designer teaches 18 projects to help turn your basic leather creations into head-turning artistic statements
For leather crafters who don't need more patterns but instead want to add artistic impact to their work
Wiggins's leather art is found in high-end homes, museums, and even Las Vegas hotel casinos

Size: 7.5in x 9.0in | Pages: 176 | 500 color images

Binding: Paperback / softback

ISBN: 9780764366093

Leather Care Compendium: For Shoes, Clothing, and Furniture

Ralph Solome — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:09:09 +0000

Why should you care for leather? What has leather conditioner to do with environmental protection? How do I get my shoes to shine? What saddle soap is best suited and most available for saddles? Anyone who wants the answers to these questions and wishes to learn more about the history, application, and benefits of leather care will want this standard and very successful work. In many of the over 500 beautiful images, custom shoemakers show how to expertly maintain leather shoes, furniture, bags, automotive leather, coarse and fine leather, watch bands, saddles, horse tack, suede, and more. By following their leather care techniques, readers will win a small victory over the usual transience of our favorite leather objects. Also included are histories of influential international leather care product companies, providing readers with a sense of the scope of products available today. A wealth of leather information is covered, including leather types defined by dyeing and consistency, products from wax pastes, creams, and emulsions to oils, soaps, sprays, and grease, polish formulas, and much more. Readers may even decide that maintaining the rich glossy surfaces of their leather products creates a more sophisticated personal appearance.

Size: 7.0in x 10.0in | Pages: 288 | 763 color photos

Binding: Paperback / softback

ISBN: 9780764345173

Leather: History, Technique, Projects

Ralph Solome — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:09:05 +0000

Humans are the only species known to adorn themselves with a second skin. This extra hide, leather, can be smooth, soft, and cosmetic, or robust, resistant, and protective. For thousands of years this versatile material has provided the foundation for the manufacture of clothing, jewelry, and accessories. Josephine Barbe encourages the reader to use this all-purpose material in a variety of ways. Thirty-five projects include a fancy book cover, a comfortable pair of moccasins, a handbag guaranteed to attract admiring eyes, and many more. Valuable tips for purchasing and assembling leather are also provided. Written for artisans and aspiring designers as well as history buffs, it traces the development of three major tanning methods in ancient and modern cultures, including Egyptian, Moroccan, and North American, and teaches essential skills along the way including dyeing, embossing, and stamping. All the projects can be completed with a sewing machine and a few simple tools.

Size: 8.5in x 11.0in | Pages: 168 | 308

Binding: Hardback

ISBN: 9780764344848

Little Delights in Leather: Charming Projects to Use Every Day

Ralph Solome — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:09:10 +0000

Learn to make leather creations that you and your family and friends will love to use. From a cuff bracelet to mittens, a protective tablet case, or a smartphone case with a secret pocket to hold a credit card, all projects radiate an appealing style and boast clever design features. What makes it easier? All the projects are made using your sewing machine. You'll discover that sewing leather can be almost as easy as sewing fabric. Learn about the other tools you'll use, and the techniques. Next, follow the instructions and the clear patterns, and you're on your way to success with a tablet envelope, braided tote bag and change purse, fish-scale-pattern clutch bag, pearlescent shoulder bag, Navajo-style purse and cuff, envelope-style purse and smartphone case, moccasins, cat shoulder bag and fox change purse, mittens, and even a backpack for toddlers. Most of the projects can also be made in faux leather materials. Difficulty levels are marked, so you can choose the projects right for you.

Size: 10.0in x 9.0in | Pages: 96 | 140 color images & patterns

Binding: Hardback

ISBN: 9780764358388

Natural Leather Tanning

Ralph Solome — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:09:12 +0000

The processing of hides and skins is one of the oldest known crafts and cultural techniques. Today, tanning is done primarily with chemicals, but traditional tanning was done with fat, smoke, and plant extracts to make the hides durable and soft.

This book teaches you the centuries-old art of easy-to-do, natural, inexpensive fat tanning with a few simple tools and limited space. Tanning with pure natural products leads to wonderful leather products that anyone can make themselves at home without any prior experience or knowledge.

The step-by-step illustrations show in detail how the self-tanned skins and skins are processed, as well as how to turn raw pelts and furs into leather gloves, moccasins, hats, capes, jackets, and other simple everyday leather objects.

Explore different tanning methods like the "Open Method" and the "Tube Method" and learn associated skills like salting, freezing, and drying your homemade leather. The processing of hides and skins is one of the oldest known crafts and cultural techniques. Today, tanning is done primarily with chemicals, but traditional tanning was done with fat, smoke, and plant extracts to make the hides durable and soft.

This book teaches the centuries-old art of easy-to-do, natural, inexpensive fat tanning with a few simple tools and limited space. Tanning with pure natural products leads to wonderful leather products that anyone can make themselves at home without any prior experience or knowledge.

Readers will also explore different tanning methods like the "Open Method" and the "Tube Method" and learn associated skills like salting, freezing, and drying homemade leather.

Learn natural, accessible techniques for tanning with fat, smoke, plant extracts, and other chemical-free methods
Go beyond the tanning techniques to make six leather projects with step-by-step instructions
Explore inexpensive accessible tanning methods with simple tools, little space, and no prior experience

Size: 6.75in x 8.75in | Pages: 136 | 150+ color photos and illustrations

Binding: Hardback

ISBN: 9780764366116

Whips and Whipmaking, 2nd Edition

Ralph Solome — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:09:13 +0000

Whipmaking is the highest refinement of the art of leather braiding. This revised edition introduces another major category of whips—those made in the Mongol tradition. Braiding details are shown in an extensive selection of photographs that also serve to document the geographic distribution of the whips; their historic use and characteristics are explained in detailed captions. A new chapter describes the evolution of a whip design that became world famous through its association with Hollywood. The whips used by Indiana Jones were all made by the author, David W. Morgan, and the films prompted an immediate revival of interest in whips for performance and sport use.

Size: 7.0in x 10.0in | Pages: 240 | 55 illustrations, 205 b/w photos

Binding: Paperback / softback

ISBN: 9780870335570

From My Bench to Yours – A Handbook for Making Chaps~Chinks~Armitas

Ralph Solome — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 18:17:47 +0000

With over 60 years of experience making chaps, chinks and armitas, Bob Klenda brings you step-by-step through the process of building them, from measuring the customer to final assembly, all the while offering his many tips and lots of advice for getting them right and avoiding mistakes. The book features 48 color photos, an order form, and patterns for both a yoke and a shield. Bonus: Pattern Listing, featuring available pattern packs by Bob Klenda. Book, 32 pages.

3D Horse Heads

Ralph Solome — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 23:27:15 +0000

Enjoy carving and embossing Jürgen’s crossed horses pattern. From start to finish, Jürgen provides step-by-step instructions with photos on how to complete this special piece. A Tools & Materials list is included at the end of the book.