project video

Making a Leather Roper Wallet

Posted by Don Gonzales

The Leather roper wallet, or long wallet, has been popular for quite sometime. We have done a few videos on making different style wallets, but this is one that has been requested that we finally got around to making. If you have customers wanting you to make them leather roper wallets or you just want one for yourself, then check out this project video.

We show you all the steps in making one of the leather roper wallet as well as info on leather used. We do offer a DIGITAL DOWNLOAD pattern pack if you would like to purchase that. This pattern pack comes with all the cut patterns for the parts as well as 8 tooling patterns.

Here are some links that we mention in the video:

Video showing how to create the Large Basket stamping, “Hand Tooling a Large Basket Weave Pattern“

I get my Goat Skin Leather for the interiors at C-Loy Leather in El Paso, TX

The pen I use to mark out the liner pieces is called a Silver Pen and they are used on any full grain finished leathers. They mark well and just wipe off when finished. I got mine from Maker’s Leather Supply

Click here if you would like the Digital Pattern Pack that goes along with this project video.

How to Make a Premium Leather Clutch Wallet

Posted by Don Gonzales

In this project video, I show you how to make a leather clutch wallet with more of a Premium set of Interiors. The interior of this wallet includes a few more slots for cash and storage as well as a zippered coin pocket. We also show you how I create and install a “T” pocket system for credit card pockets.

If you are looking for a “step-up” project, then this is a great one. The interior of this wallet is more challenging than our previous clutch wallet video that we created.

If you would like the Companion Pattern Pack that goes along with this video, then you can purchase that DIGITAL PDF file by Clicking Here.

This pattern pack includes all the cut patterns for all the pieces as well as line up marks. There is also 8 different floral tooling patterns included as well.

*Note: This is a digital pattern that you download and print out on your own printer… we do not mail this pattern to you. You have instant access to it after purchase.

For the double sided tape that I used in the video, visit https://makersleathersupply.com

For leather sewing machines and equipment, visit https://leathermachineco.com

For the best tooling leather in the industry, visit http://www.hermannoakleather.com

How to Make a Leather Checkbook Cover

Posted by Don Gonzales

When I first started my shop, one of the most popular items that we sold was a leather checkbook cover. I quickly learned that this item required very little leather to make and went together quickly. Even in today’s high tech world of Apple Pay and Debit cards, most people still write checks. And of those that still write checks, many of those people like to have a really nice custom checkbook cover. This allows them to whip it out and show off a bit when making purchases that require a handwritten check.

This video is a complete project video that shows you how I make a leather checkbook cover as well as some tips to make the process easier for you. We also created a Companion Pattern Pack, as we do with all of our project videos. In this pattern pack you will find the simple cut patterns with suggestions on leather weights to use. We also created 12 new and different tooling patterns that you can use to create unique checkbook covers to offer your customers. This is a digital pattern pack like all the rest of ours.

If you would like to purchase the pattern pack, click here and you can download and print the complete pack out on your own printer: https://dgsaddlery.com/product/leathe…​

While you are here, check out many more videos and blog articles as well as many more digital pattern packs.

For a good source for Herman Oak Leather, visit our friends at Maker’s Leather Supply: https://makersleathersupply.com​

If you are interested in investing in a new sewing machine, visit my friends at Leather Machine Co and check out their Cobra sewing machines: https://leathermachineco.com​

How to Make an Easy Leather Cast Iron Pot Handle Cover

Posted by Don Gonzales

I cook with a lot of cast iron in my kitchen.  The handles on these old pots and pans get pretty hot, so I came up with a leather cast iron pot handle cover.  These are really easy to make and of course I couldn’t just make them plain… I added a little tooling to them. 

In this video I show you how simple these are to make.  We go through the entire process of making these and what materials I use.    

There is a companion pack available for this project and this one is FREE!  If you would like to make some of these, click the link below and put your email address in the form to get access to this FREE companion pack!  

Click here to get FREE Pattern Pack:  https://dgsaddlery.com/pothandlepattern/  

The companion pack has the simple cut patterns for this project, as well as 8 different floral patterns that you can use to customize your own set of pot handle covers.  These would also make great gifts.  

Here are some helpful links you may also find useful for this project:  

Slicking edges:  https://dgsaddlery.com/how-to-slick-edges-on-leather/ 

Oiling and Antiquing Leather:  https://dgsaddlery.com/how-to-oil-and-antique-tooled-leather-projects/  

Here is a great source for materials and supplies:  https://makersleathersupply.com  

If you are in the market for a Cobra sewing machine then check out either Maker’s Leather Supply or get in contact with Leather Machine Co directly:  https://leathermachineco.com

How to Make a Simple Bible Cover

Posted by Don Gonzales

A Leather Bible Cover is probably one of the most popular items that leather craftsmen create for their customers.  They are also one of the most popular projects for a new LeatherHead to test his/her skills when it comes to making a book cover.  Bible covers offer much more room for leather tooling artwork which in turn allows for a lot more customization.

In this video, I show you how I make a simple leather bible cover.  This bible cover has no type of closure nor the use of zippers.  For a very clean and professional looking book cover, you can’t beat this style.

I used an NIV Personal Size Bible that I purchased at Walmart for this project.  The actual size of the Bible was 5.5″ X 8.5″ and the leather front and back panels ended up being 6″ X 9 3/8″ to allow for a comfortable fit.  My spine piece was 2.5″ wide including the 3/4″ allowance on the sides to allow for the thickness of the Bible that I used.  The brand of the Bible was Zondervan.  You can certainly adjust your measurements to fit any Bible or book that you choose to use for this project.

This is probably one of the shortest project videos that we have created.  This should let you know how simple this project is to create.  If you have been searching for the perfect project to offer to your customers or just to make for family or friends, this is the project.  I make this Bible Cover in three pieces which allows for easier use of your scrap leather, but you could certainly make the outside from one solid piece if you prefer. Continue reading →

How to Make a Leather Apple Watch Band

Posted by Don Gonzales

In this Project video, I show you how to make a Leather Apple Watch Band.  I finally took some time to sit down and design three different styles based audience request.  The Apple Watch is extremely popular and having a custom leather watch band made for them is a common request.

Our goal with this video is to show my process for making the three different styles and to hopefully help anyone try their hand at making these.  If you are looking for that perfect Christmas item to offer to your customers as gift ideas, then this is a great one.

As with all of our Project Videos, we have created a Companion Pattern Pack.  In this pack, you will find all the cut patterns for all three styles as well as 6 different tooling patterns for each style.  If you would like to purchase the Companion Pack for this Project Video, then Click Here and grab that. Continue reading →

How to Make a Leather Shavekit

Posted by Don Gonzales

We created this video, “How to Make a Leather Shavekit,” in the fall of 2017.  I just realized that I never posted it to the website.  So this is not a new video technically, but if you do subscribe to our YouTube Channel then it may be new to you.  

In this video, I show you my process for making a tooled leather shavekit. These toiletry bags are good projects whether you are new to leatherwork or a seasoned veteran. They are great sellers as well.

In the video I walk you through my entire process of making the shavekit as well as tell you the different weights of leather used to make it. I also have a companion pattern pack that goes with this video if you would like to purchase that. It contains all the cut patterns as well as six different tooling patterns.

If you would like to purchase the companion pattern pack, you can check that out by Clicking Here.

If you enjoyed this video, please like and subscribe to this channel.

The music in this video was performed and produced by my brother Ben Schane. If you would like to to hear more of his music you can find his music on itunes. The song in this video is from his album “Antique Noises.”