Leathercraft Project

Someone cuts a circle out of leatherLearn to design, make, and decorate leather furnishings and wardrobe items.

Skills learned include: 

  • Background dying
  • Carving and carving tools
  • Finishing leather
  • Hand sewing
  • Stamping, including how to prepare leather, create a design, and stamping tools.
  • Staining techniques
  • Tanning techniques
  • How to keep accurate records
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Do you want to pound leather, make cool things out of leather? Then it is time to attend leathercraft workshops.

To complete for fair it is best for new kiddos to start by February. The sooner the better!

We know that school end times vary. Please bring your child straight from class. Our teaching time is between 3:30 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. 

Bryant Miller's House (check the Clover Connections newsletter for the address):

  • October 3rd, 17th, 31st
  • November 21st
  • December 12th
  • January 2nd, 16th, 30th
  • February 13th, 27th
  • March 13th, 27th
  • April 10th, 24th
  • May 8th, 22nd
     

The Ranch,  Loveland, CO

  • September 26th, Meeting Room, 4-H, Youth & Community Arena Building
  • October 10th, Estes Park Room
  • October 24th, Berthoud Room
  • November 7th, Berthoud Room
  • December5th, Meeting Room, 4-H, Youth & Community Arena Building
  • December 19th, Berthoud Room
  • January 9th, Estes Park Room
  • January 23rd, Berthoud Room   
  • February 6th, Berthoud Room
  • February 20th, Loveland Room
  • March 6th, Berthoud Room
  • March 20th, Berthoud Room
  • April 3rd, and 17 Berthoud Room
  • May 1st, Loveland Room
  • May 15th,  Berthoud Room
  • May 29th, Berthoud Room

Many members choose to purchase their own tools and leather. However, you can also use the project leader's tools and donated scrap leather at the leathercraft workshops. We recommend attending a leathercraft workshop and talking to the project leader prior to purchasing anything.

Project units are designed for members 8-18 years old. We recommend doing units 1-3 in order.

Unit 1: Introduction to Leathercraft and Creative Stamping

  • Members will learn creative stamping and how to hand sew a whip stitch, running stitch, or saddle stitch. They should complete two or more of the following:
    • An item with one layer of leather such as:
      • Belt, bookmark, wrist bracelet, or set of coasters
    • An item with two pieces of leather such as:
      • Coin purse, knife sheath/case, simple purse, wallet
  • Member will also learn how to apply a clear finish to their item

Unit 2: Beginning Leather Carving

  • Members will learn how to use a:
    • Swivel knife
    • Camouflage tool
    • Pear shader
    • Beveler
    • Veiner
    • Seeder
  • Members will make one (or more) completed items with double loop lacing

Unit 3: Intermediate Leather Carving

Members should make an item using one or more of the following skills:

  • Traditional carving
  • Inverted caring
  • Silhouette carving

Unit 4: Advanced Leather Carving

Members should make an item using one or more of the following skills:

  • Advanced traditional carving
  • Figure carving
  • Pictorial carving
  • Decorative swivel knife carving
  • Embossing or filagree work

Unit 5: Advanced Stamping

Members should make an item using advanced stamping.

Unit 6: Sewing Leather

Members will make an item made primarily by sewing leather.

Unit 7: Braiding and Un-Tooled Leather

Members will make an item using one or more leather art techniques:

  • Lacing
  • Braiding
  • Expanding
  • Sculpting
  • Molding leather

Unit 8: Master Leathercraft

Members will make an item using multiple leather working techniques, such as:

  • Carving
  • Stamping
  • Embossing
  • Filigree

Unit 9: Making and Rebuilding Saddles

Members will learn the skills necessary to build or rebuild a saddle.

Manuals are available on the Colorado 4-H Website

4-H E-Records were previously known as Record Books. Each project has its own E-Record book that members are required to complete each year. We recommend downloading and starting your record book right away. All record books should be kept in a 3-ring binder. The front cover should have the 4-H'ers name, unit number, and project.  

Need help filling out your E-Record? Talk to your club leader, project leader, or visit our E-Record help page.

If you participate in the Larimer County Fair, you will turn in your e-record at Interview Judging Day in July. Learn more about getting your project ready for the Larimer County Fair.

To print all upcoming events, select "Agenda" and then "Print"


Larimer County CSU Extension

Email: extnsn01@larimer.org
Phone: (970) 498-6000

1525 Blue Spruce Dr.    
Fort Collins, CO 80524-2004

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