BASIC LEATHER TOOLING

by Lady Brighid O'Maine, C.M.C.


Design Transfer: After making your pattern on tracing film, dampen leather 
(never use a metallic container to hold the water).  Place the tracing film on 
the leather, and using a ballpoint stylus or empty ballpoint pen, trace out 
your pattern.

Leather Carving: Using a swivel knife, cut the outlines of the design, 
prominent features first.  If the blade drags or jumps, either strop your 
blade or moisten the leather.  Always turn the leather so that all cuts are 
made toward you.

    	             
Use the corner of the blade		Keep blade at a 90 degree angle to work

Beveling: All swivel knife cuts are beveled on one side.  The beveled side of 
the design seems to drop behind and adds a three dimensional relief.  The 
beveler is held upright with the "toe" of the tool placed into the cut of the 
swivel knife.  Strike the beveler with a mallet, and move beveler towards you 
along the cut(move it a little less than 1/2 the width of the beveler) 
Practice until you can walk the beveler and have a smooth beveled line.

				

Pear Shader: It is used to add contour and shading to designs.  Strike sharply 
and move tool towards you causing a "dishing" effect.



NOTE!NOTE!NOTE!  Large tools should be struck hard, small tools should never 
be struck hard. 

Backgrounder: Background tools have a small working area and have to be made 
to "walk" with each indention.  Hold tool at a 90 angle and after each hit, 
walk and turn tool slightly to get an even surface.  Try not to get a 
washboard effect.



Helpful Hints

How to make a leather template: After casing (dampening) 8 oz. leather, take 
your favorite pattern and trace it onto the leather.  Using a swivel knife, 
cut your pattern deeper than usual ( not all the way through).  Dry the 
leather in the oven at 300. This will harden the leather and open the cuts.  
Apply 3 coats of shellac after "template" is dry.  You now have your custom 
"craftaid".



Question and Answer Box

Question: What is the smooth side of leather called?
Answer: The smooth side of leather is called the grain side.  The rough side 
is called the flesh side.

Question: When is the leather "damp"?
Answer: You can tell by the color of the leather.  When the leather returns to 
it's "dry" color, hold it against your cheek.  If it feels cold, it is damp.  
When your swivel knife or bevelers start "dragging", dampen your leather.  DO 
NOT trace or work on soggy leather.