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    Leathercraft As A Hobby - A Manual of Methods of Working in Leather
    Leathercraft As A Hobby - A Manual of Methods of Working in Leather
    Leathercraft As A Hobby - A Manual of Methods of Working in Leather
    Ebook142 pages1 hour

    Leathercraft As A Hobby - A Manual of Methods of Working in Leather

    By Clifford Pyle

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    About this ebook

    This informative book comprises a comprehensive manual of the varying methods used in leatherworking. This text was written primarily for the student in the classroom as a tool for reference and guidance, and as and independent reference point for workers as well as students, wishing to do leather work at home. A brilliant and detailed leatherworking handbook, this text is a must-have for anyone with an interest in embracing this craft as a hobby or profession. Chapters contained herein include: 'The Leather'; 'The Tools'; 'Patterns'; 'Cutting and Skiving'; 'Transferring the Design'; 'Flat Modelling and Embossing'; 'Creasing, Stamping, Stippling and Hot Point'; 'Cutting, Incising, and Carving Leather'; 'Cut-out Work, Appliqué, and Inlay'; 'Applying Gold and Silver Leaf'; and many more. We are proud to republish this antique book here with a new introduction to the topic.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRead Books Ltd.
    Release dateSep 6, 2016
    ISBN9781473356627
    Leathercraft As A Hobby - A Manual of Methods of Working in Leather

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      Book preview

      Leathercraft As A Hobby - A Manual of Methods of Working in Leather - Clifford Pyle

      LEATHERCRAFT

      AS A HOBBY

      A Manual of Methods

      of Working in Leather

      by

      CLIFFORD PYLE

      PHOTOGRAPHS BY

      ROSCOE J. CARVER

      Copyright © 2013 Read Books Ltd.

      This book is copyright and may not be

      reproduced or copied in any way without

      the express permission of the publisher in writing

      British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

      A catalogue record for this book is available from the

      British Library

      Leather Crafting

      Leather is a durable and flexible material created by the tanning of animal rawhide and skin, often cattle hide. It can be produced through manufacturing processes ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry, and has formed a central part of the dress and useful accessories of many cultures around the world. Leather has played an important role in the development of civilisation from prehistoric times to the present, and people have used the skins of animals to satisfy fundamental (as well as not so essential!) needs such as clothing, shelter, carpets and even decorative attire. As a result of this importance, decorating leather has become a large past time. Leather crafting or simply leathercraft is the practice of making leather into craft objects or works of art, using shaping techniques, colouring techniques or both. Today, it is a global past time.

      Some of the main techniques of leather crafting include:

      Dyeing - which usually involves the use of spirit- or alcohol-based dyes where alcohol quickly gets absorbed into moistened leather, carrying the pigment deep into the surface. 'Hi-liters' and 'Antiquing' stains can be used to add more definition to patterns. These have pigments that will break away from the higher points of a tooled piece and so pooling in the background areas give nice contrasts. This leaves parts unstained and also provides a type of contrast.

      Painting - This differs from leather dyeing, in that paint remains only on the surface whilst dyes are absorbed into the leather. Due to this difference, leather painting techniques are generally not used on items that can or must bend, nor on items that receive friction, such as belts and wallets - as under these conditions, the paint is likely to crack and flake off. However, latex paints can be used to paint flexible leather items. In the main though, a flat piece of leather, backed with a stiff board is ideal and common, though three-dimensional forms are possible so long as the painted surface remains secured. Unlike photographs, leather paintings are displayed without a glass cover, to prevent mould.

      Stamping - Leather stamping involves the use of shaped implements (stamps) to create an imprint onto a leather surface, often by striking the stamps with a mallet. Commercial stamps are available in various designs, typically geometric or representative of animals. Most stamping is performed on vegetable tanned leather that has been dampened with water, as the water makes the leather softer and able to be compressed with the design. After the leather has been stamped, the design stays on the leather as it dries out, but it can fade if the leather becomes wet and is flexed. To make the impressions last longer, the leather is conditioned with oils and fats to make it waterproof and prevent the fibres from deforming.

      Molding and shaping - Leather shaping or molding consists of soaking a piece of leather in hot or room temperature water to greatly increase pliability and then shaping it by hand or with the use of objects or even molds as forms. As the leather dries it stiffens and holds its shape. Carving and stamping may be done prior to molding. Dying however, must take place after molding, as the water soak will remove much of the colour. This mode of leather crafting has become incredibly popular among hobbyists whose crafts are related to fantasy, goth / steampunk culture and cosplay.

      CONTENTS

      PREFACE

      THIS book has been prepared for two uses. It may be used, first by the student in the classroom for reference. Second, it may be used for independent reference and guidance by workers and students who have a desire to do leather work at home and who want occasional information on matters regarding cutting, skiving, tooling, embossing, stamping, dyeing, lacing, braiding and weaving, and the care of real leather.

      The aim of the book is, of course, more practical than scientific. The purpose of the book is to give simply, concisely, and clearly, the methods and formulae in regard to which so many beginners make mistakes. Many facts related to leather and its preparation or tanning have been omitted because they concern matters about which the persons who may use the book do not need to know. The intent of the book is to simplify rules and methods and make it easy for any one who may desire to master this ancient craft.

      In the book I have, purposely, made no mention of exceptions, modifications, or allowable alternatives in the rules and methods. Enumerating possible methods, with comments and admonitions and cautions about each, would only tend to confuse the beginner. If one good method or rule is given in a clear manner, not mentioning the many permissible deviations or equally good alternative ways, the chance is much greater that he will bring the project in hand to a better end. As the student becomes more proficient, he may vary or ignore these rules and formulae; only at a later stage may he make or study exceptions. In acquiring skill in any art, it is necessary for most people to observe rigidly and invariably rules which they may later, partially or wholly, ignore.

      LEATHERCRAFT AS A HOBBY

      CHAPTER I

      INTRODUCTION

      LEATHERCRAFT—the art of making useful and beautiful things of leather—is one of the oldest crafts known to man. We have had leather always, it seems. Tents, clothing, furniture, utensils for carrying liquids, and many other useful articles were made of leather, long before the art of weaving was known. Leather was even

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