When making something from leather, the first step is to cut out the various parts. If making more than one of the same item, purse, knife sheath etc. I find that cutting a template out of thin plexiglass, metal or masonite is a great help.
Anyway, after cutting your parts the next step is a process called casing. This is nothing more than wetting the leather to soften it. It used to be that casing meant soaking the leather in water until bubbles quit coming from the leather. Then letting the leather dry until almost all water is out. Very time consuming. With improved tanning processes it is now possible to case the leather with a damp sponge. First dampen the flesh side, and then the grain side. When dampened the leather will change from that nice creamy color to a mid range brown. It's now necessary to allow the leather to dry until it's almost its original creamy color. almost but not quite dry. The leather is now ready for tracing your cutting pattern to the leather, cutting in the pattern and doing the tooling work. I'll explain all of these processes in more detail, and with pics later. Two things to remember. #1 the leather must remain slightly damp through out the tooling processes. #2. Use only a glass, plastic or porcelain bowl for water to dampen your sponge. Metal salts may leach out of a metal container which will cause streaking and discoloration to your leather. And I guess I should add a #3 here while I'm at it. Your hands must be absolutely clean when working leather. Wear disposable gloves if you can stand them, or wash your hands often. The reason for this is natural skin oil. Any oil which seeps into the leather will prevent dye from absorbing evenly, leaving a streaky looking end product.
More tomorrow. But for now, it's coffee and fudge brownie time.
