Oregon 4-H

Leathercraft

Leader Guide

$1.00
4-H 750L
Reprinted October 2006
 To the 4-H Leathercraft Project Planning
Leader and Organization
As a 4-H leader and educator, you are in a
Leaders may help members…
position of great power—that is, the positive
power to encourage young people to succeed. As …Be aware of responsibilities, expectations, and
a volunteer leader, you can channel their curiosity, costs by discussing these items at a meeting
inspire new interests, and continually offer new which includes parents.
opportunities for them to grow and develop into …Pay for extra expenses by soliciting parents’ help.
happy and productive adults. Each member should be charged a minimal fee
This guide is intended to help you provide a fun to cover the cost of expendable materials (glue,
and educational experience for youth interested finish) during the year. A fundraising activity
in working with leather. Pertinent information has might defray the costs for tools and social
been included from experienced 4-H leaders and activities.
professionals in the leathercraft field. …Who are more experienced or older server as
The 4-H Leathercraft project is designed to Junior Leaders.
involve youth and adults in an expressive art
…Have opportunities for social growth and
experience. It is not designed to make expert
development through recreation at meetings,
leathercraft workers of young people. Instead, the
tours, family get-togethers, community service
primary purposes are to help young people develop
activities, and interactions with other 4-H clubs.
life skills, to enrich their lives through knowledge
and activity, and to foster creative use of leisure time. …Maintain interest and proficiency by holding
In addition to the general 4-H objectives, the frequent meetings.
Leathercraft project objectives are: …Plan individual goals for the year considering
• Goal setting—Each 4-H’er will have the what the member would like to accomplish.
opportunity to set individual goals and strive …Select which leathercraft skills they want to learn
toward achievement. and appropriate articles they will make.
• Pride in workmanship—The 4-H’er will have …Have results early and often. Leaders can plan
the opportunity to set individual goals and strive activities and projects to ensure this.
toward achievement. …Evaluate their goals and leathercraft work
• Skills—The 4-H’er will learn specific skills of by conducting a club leathercraft judging or
leathercraft. identification activity.
• Knowledge—The 4-H’er will learn the history …Select their best article(s) for fair exhibit.
of leather and how to select and care for leather
and leather articles. Possible information and tour
sources include:
4-H Publications • Saddlemakers
Leader materials • Professional leathercrafts person
4-H Leathercraft Leader Guide, 4-H 750L • Leather stores and store clientele
• Craft fairs and bazaars
Member materials • Art teachers
Leathercraft Manual (PNW 132), 4-H 7501 • Other leathercraft leaders
My 4-H Project Record, 4-H 038R


 Teaching Leatherwork Tools and Materials
Techniques Members should not be required to have a
The 4-H Leathercraft project offers the complete set of tools. It may be necessary for the
opportunity for members to learn many leather club or leader to own a set of tools that members
working techniques. A member may advance from can share.
one technique to another at any time, and any A basic set of leather carving tools should be
technique may be repeated. used to teach beginning skills. A purchased basic
Leathercraft leaders need to assist members in set includes seven tools (see illustration below)
selecting learning projects that suit their skill level and a mallet and board. Beginning work should
and ability. Age or grade may or may not be a show a basic working knowledge of these tools.
factor. Additional tools may be applied on other articles as
Leaders should encourage the use of the seven the member advances.
basic tools from year to year, to improve members’
skills.
Prepackaged kits are acceptable for all learning
phases of leathercraft, as long as required skills are
demonstrated in exhibit articles.

Seven basic tools


 Additional tools and Resources
materials needed
References
Marble, marbelite, formica, or other hard surface for
Each club is encouraged to build a library of
tooling
reference books providing instructions for the leader
Stylus and members on specialized projects. The Oregon
Modeling tool 4-H Expressive Arts Development Committee
Drafting square—plastic type that will not dull recommends Lucky Seven Book (“A Textbook
knives for the Self-Taught Student and for Use in the
Classroom”).
Several thonging chisels, three- or four-prong, to
There are many books and pamphlets available
make lacing holes
about leather work. Listed below are a few books
Revolving punch, to punch holes for rivets available through leather companies or by searching
Snap-attaching set for installing snaps and rivets the titles online:
Edge creaser for creasing edge of leather articles Lucky Seven Book—One of the best beginner’s
books available. Fully illustrated; shows seven
Several smooth, softwood boards to place leather on
steps necessary for perfect carving. Includes
for cutting
25 designs, 32 pages on craft aids, tool uses,
Thong awl for lacing basic carving techniques, etc.
Skiving knife for thinning belts, etc. (razor blade in How to Carve Leather—Shows how to carve leather
holder can be used) quickly and easily. 48 pages. How to assemble
Cutting knife 11 projects, 30 illustrated dye charts, 40 patterns,
Scissors 6 complete alphabets.
Masking tape Projects and Designs—80+ pages of imaginative
and creative items to make from scraps.
Tracing paper
Leatherwork Manual (Teachers)—Fully illustrated,
Rubber cement
160 pages.
Clear (permanent) cement
Leatherwork Student’s Manual—Condensed
Finishing materials: waxes, edge finishes, dyes, and version of the teacher’s manual written for junior
cleaner and senior high school students.
Assorted templates, patterns for tooling, instruction How to Make Holsters (to fit any hand gun made)—
book, catalogs of materials 15-chapter, 32-page book containing photos and
step-by-step illustrations.
Hand Sewing Leather—70-page book.
Inverted Leather Carving—48-page book
containing patterns, design suggestions, tips, and
hints. Fully explained and illustrated.
Pictorial Carving—How to carve animals, birds,
flowers, and scenery; includes patterns and
detailed drawings.
How to Color Leather—90 step-by-step
illustrations, 8 full color pictures, full color
wheel, and 5 color and dye mixing charts.
Explains cross-dyeing, figure coloring,
highlighting, shading, etc.


 Top 20 Pattern Book—Advanced billfold design Supply sources
book; filigreeing and dyework patterns included. Following are some of the places of supply;
How to Lace—12 types of lacing, saddle stitching, however, leathercraft materials and tools for 4-H
buck and hand stitching. may be obtained anywhere. By inclusion of these
Lucky Eight Belt Book—32 pages of belts and sources Oregon 4-H does not imply endorsement.
instructions. The Leather Factory—Spokane
28 W. Boone
How to Sew Leather, Suede, Fur—Teaches
Spokane, WA 99201
techniques as they differ from ordinary fabric
(800-822-8437)
sewing.
The Leather Factory—Portland
Teaching aids 13221 NE Whitaker Way
These kits are available from the state Extension Portland, OR 97230
4-H office. If you’d like to borrow one, ask your (503-255-8818 or toll free 888-277-3360)
local Extension staff to contact the state 4-H office. S-T Leather Company
H-11 Leathercraft Kit—examples of edges, lacing PO Box 78188
and the proper usage of the seven basic tools. 830 S. 17th St.
H-14 Leathercraft Judging Kit—includes classes for St. Louis, MO 63178
member evaluation. (800-381-5965)
Tandy Leather Company—Boise
Visual aids 285 N Orchard St.
Videotapes (donated by Tandy Leather to Boise, ID 83704
Oregon 4-H): (208-375-5589 or toll free 800-930-2850)
Adventures in Leathercraft, 20 min. Relates to You can find additional supply sources on the
history, beginning projects, stamping, carving, Internet.
and more. (Especially good for new leathercraft
leaders.)
Airbrushing Leather, 46 min. Basic airbrush
techniques, including operating the airbrush,
coloring tooled leather, using templates, and
caring for and cleaning your airbrush. An
advanced technique for older members.
Basic Leathercraft, 42 min. Shows stamping,
Western carving and how to do the double loop
stitch.
Leather Carving and Figure Carving, 40 min. Two
complete lessons: traditional floral carving and
figure carving.
Leather Stamping for Fun and Profit, 45 min.
Shows stamping techniques, elaborate designs,
and project ideas.
Leather, The New Frontier in Art, 32 min. How to
create free-standing leather sculptures, masks,
collages, jewelry, and more. Loaded with
techniques and history!


 Exhibit Classes 7051B__ Basic design and lacing—Assembly
of small articles or two-part project using
Following are the guidelines and exhibit classes
appropriate lacing technique.
for 4-H Divisions of Fairs. Check with your local
Extension office for any differences that may exist 7051C__ Basic design and edging—Article
for a specific fair. Guidelines and exhibit classes with unlaced edges finished by rounding and
may change in future years. smoothing. Edge dyes may be applied, but are
Members may enter up to three classes, but only not required.
one exhibit per class. Each exhibit will consist 7051D__ Basic design and apply hardware and
of one article (a pair of gloves, slippers, etc. is assemble—More advanced assembly techniques
considered one article). to include one of the following: folding, skiving,
An explanation of tools, techniques, and media molding, lining.
used (dyes, finishes, and conditioners), plus 7051E__ Basic design and background dyeing or
indication of whether a kit was used, must be firmly figure carving—On a more difficult article.
attached to the exhibit on a 5 x 8 card or piece of
7051F__ Basic design and filigreeing and/or
paper, and is required to qualify the exhibit for
embossing—More detail assembly.
judging.
Each article must be labeled with the member’s 7051G__ Basic design and advanced technique—
name, county, and exhibit class number. When a Show at least one, such as hand sewing,
pair of articles makes up an exhibit, the articles designing own pattern, airbrushing, cutting
must each be labeled (as above) and attached to project from hide or leather.
each other. 7051H__ A major article—Showing basic design,
Note: Fill in blank in class number (__) with considerable advanced techniques, and ability to
corresponding number for Junior, Intermediate, or handle a large project.
Senior. 7051I__ Other creative techniques—May include
1—Junior pyrography (burning), freehand stamping,
2—Intermediate silhouette, inverted carving, sculpting, molding,
3—Senior etc.
7051A__ Use of basic tools set—Exhibit
demonstrates basic leather tool usage. Basic
tools include: swivel knife, beveler, veiner, pear
shader, camouflage, back grounder, seeder, and
mallet.

© 1997 Oregon State University. This publication may be photocopied or reprinted in its entirety for non-commercial purposes.
This publication was produced and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Extension work is a
cooperative program of Oregon State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Oregon counties.
Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials—without regard to race, color,
religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, and disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran
status—as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Oregon State University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Revised July 1997. Reprinted October 2006.