Apprentice Video Series

Overview

Instructor Bio

Dan is a collaborator and crafter on the ILC team. He has been in the creative design field for decades and crafting for a large part of that. He has an ability to explain complex concepts into simple terms, while also demonstrating techniques while making learning easy and fun.

Course Duration

This course is comprised of 12 separate lessons, and approximately 7 hours of instruction.

What You Get

You’ll have access to a step-by-step course, each with a detailed outoine and tools/materials list so you’re ready to follow along. By the end of the course, you should be familiar with common leather tools, leather types, leathercraft techniques, and have made 3 leather projects on your own, including a finished belt!

Who Can Benefit Most

This course is the most benefit to those new to the craft. It can take someone from absolutely zero knowledge about leathercraft, to being familiar and making real projects and leather items.

Course Curriculum

1. The Leather Workspace
In this lesson we explore the very first area of leathercraft, the workspace. What is needed, what can be used, cost ranges, space, surfaces, lighting, and tool storage.
2. Leather Tools
Here we take our first look at leather tools, and what are the most common for the beginning crafter. You'll learn the names, types, and options for the tools that you'll begin using first.
3. Leather Types, Cuts, & Thickness
In this lesson we look through common leather types, so you'll understand what options can be used based on your crafting preferences and decisions. We also talk about dufferent cuts of hides (relating to feel and quality), as well as thickness, and which work well for different types of projects.
4. Marking, Measuring, and Cutting
Next, we look at the tool and techniques to mark and cut leather. this includes with awls, pens, pencils, knives, what rulers and cutting edges can be used, and seeing them in use.
5. Punching
Here we look at the technique of leather punching, why it is used, what tools are best, and what tool options can be selected based on your project and crafting preference. We do some punching examples.
6. Grooving and Marking
In this lesson we explore what grooving is, why it would be done and how it can be used for both functional and aesthetic marking of leather. We also explore different types of groovers and the pros/cons of each.
7. Edging
In this lesson we look at edging, what it is used for, when to do it, and the various sizes of edgers available. We look at sizing differences, and talk about what to consider when choosing an edger (or multiple edgers) to add to your shop.
8. Skiving
Here we take a look at the technique of skiving, the tools, used, and how it's done. there are several reasons we might want to skive (remove some thickness of the leather surface), and we'll demonstrate the process using a hand-skiver.
9. Burnishing
Next, we'll go into the technique of burnishing, when it would be used, different methods to do it, the tools used, and reasons why one might choose one method of burnishing over another. And, we'll demonstrate burnishing.
10. Project #1 – Make a Leather Cord Holder
It's time to create! In this lesson we make our first leather project together, a cord holder. this will include basic leather selection, measuring, cutting, edging, burnishing, and snap-setting.
11. Project #2 – Make a Leather Double Key Ring
Here we dive into our next project! This is a double key ring. We'll go through leather selection, measuring, cutting, hardware used, and setting the hardware in place.
12. Project #3 – Make a Leather Belt
You've made it! It's time for a belt - your skills have developed and you've done great. This belt will combine most of the skills and techniques previously covered in the course, resulting in a proper and wearable leather belt with metal hardware, ready to wear!

Sample Content

From Lesson 2 on Tools

From Lesson 3 onTypes of Leather

From Lesson 4 on Marking

From Lesson 5 on Punching

From Lesson 8 on Skiving

From Lesson 12 on Belt-making

Pre-Course Questions

Can I watch the lessons at my own pace?

Yes, you can watch each one at your convenience, starting and stopping whenever you'd like. You can even move freely between lessons and rewatch as often as is helpful.

Are the lessons long?

They range in length, the longest being just over 1 hour. You can watch as much or as little of each as you would like, so a pace that is comfortable to you can drive your learning.

What devices can I watch the lessons on?

You can use any desktop, tablet, or mobile device though which you use to access the Club website. Learn anywhere, even on the go.