How to Hand Carve A Design in Leather

When carving leather there are two ways to do so, the common method using stamps and pre-designed items.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A piece of leather large enough to fit your design
• A swivel knife
• A set of modeling tools
• A stylus

1. 
   stylus

   Lightly dampen the leather, then lay the design on it, and using the stylus trace the design with a steady even pressure.

2. 
   swivel knife

   Using the swivel knife follow the grooves left by the stylus making shallow cuts to further outline the design

3. 
   deer's foot tool

   Using the deer foot tool from the modeling tools, slowly and steadily pull the leather away from the design raising it from the leather around it.

4. Allow the leather to dry before dying.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you have your design upon either heavy paper or vellum
• Do not make deep cuts with the swivel knife it is possible to cut through the leather causing the design to become unusable.

[showpup]

on 10/20/2008 Great direction, thanks.