1st Leather Workshop Introductions – How To Set Up Your Shop for Success

The Begining Stages of a Garage Leather Workshop

This post may contain affiliate links.

One of the very best things that had happened to me when I moved to Colorado almost 6 years ago, was learning the ropes in the leather workshop with my best friend Madi. I’ve always been naturally okay at sewing and had a sewing machine myself. I also spent some time selling crochet goods on Etsy, so Madi made use of the extra set of crafty hands and put me to work.

A little backstory, Madi has been my best friend since middle school.  We grew up riding horses, playing basketball, and having sleepovers. When she moved away to Colorado to live on a ranch, I knew that was where she was meant to be! When I moved home from Nashville, I wasn’t ready to be back in my hometown for an extended amount of time.  Madi was gracious enough to let me crash with her while I pieced together a new life in Colorado. I will be forever grateful for this time with her that we spent making cookies, learning leatherwork, and a ton of laughing. 

Madi taught me the basics when it came to working at the leather workshop. I learned to make some awesome items like dog collars, coasters, keychains and worked on some bags too. Eventually, I started to make my own leather tags for the crochet items that I was making.  It was such a fun and creative time of my life. There are so many times now that I wish I could just walk down the driveway and hang out with Madi in the shop to make things together.  I am DYING for my own setup at home so that I can incorporate leather into my pieces again! 

Last night on a whim I put everything I would need to get started into my Amazon cart, just to see how much I’d have to spend to have a functioning mini leather workshop table. Sort of like these amazing workshops but…less.

Guess what… only $98!! Let’s break it down.

Leather Awl:
A leather awl is used to scratch your design or cutting line into the leather lightly. A groove can guide your rotary knife or box cutter knife as well. 

Cutter Board and Rotary Knife Set:
Having a backing on the cutting table for your blades is one of the most fundamental parts of the leather workshop. It is required if you plan to use tools to cut leather.  

Rubber Stamping Pad:
This is to use beneath the leather when stamping.  Stamping requires a mallet to hammer down on the stamp to make the imprint, and if you don’t have something beneath the leather, you can risk cutting all the way through the leather and damaging your stamping tools. 

Leather Hole Punch Rounds: 
Similar to the stamping tools, the leather hole punch rounds are used with the stamp pad to punch various-sized holes. 

Handheld Hole Punch:
This is a convenient, but limited option to hole punch leather for dog collars, belts, etc.  

Lace Stitching Chisel Set:
If you plan to do any lacing or lace stitching, this is your tool! This goes along the border of the leather to pierce several holes to thread with a thin leather strap.

Leather Work Mallet:
The mallet is needed for all things leather stamping! From hole punching to letter stamping, a mallet is a staple tool in a leather workshop.

That’s it! Not all the bases are covered, but this would be a great start. The plan is to buy it all bit by bit as I go. Stay tuned for updates 🙂