Leathercraft

Refer to “Basic Arts and Craft Standards” in addition to these specific items.

1. Leather (Hard)

a. General Appearance

o Should be neat, clean, and uniformly done and complete. The design should be worked so that it stands out and has a lifelike appearance – except inverted carving – and does not stand out.

o All lacings neat and uniform.

o Any dying, staining, antiquing of leather articles should add to the beauty and serviceability of the article. All coloring should be neatly and uniformly done and in the colors used in the design.

o Design used should be simple, blending with the shape of the article.

o A preservative finish should be used to preserve the leather and prevent soiling. Excess is as undesirable as too little finish.

b. Workmanship Stamping

o Stamped designs can be attractive and used as carved designs.

o Stamping should be done with an even amount of force or pressure.

o Stamped designs should be clear. Too hard a blow can damage the leather while too light a blow will not give a clear design.

Carving and Tooling

o Cut is usually 1/3 to . the thickness of the l

eather.

o Cut is made at right angles to the leather (leaning to one side or the other may give an undercut and uneven appearance).

o Decorative cuts make an item look complete.

o One cut should never cross cut another cut.

o Beveling and tooling should be smoother, make the design standout and be lifelike.

Lacing

o Lacing should add beauty to the article.

o Lace color should contrast with the article.

o All lace should be hidden from view.

o Same slant and tension should be maintained throughout the article. The finished side of the lace should show, whenever possible.

o Imitation or leather lace are okay with leather items.

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2. Soft Leather Items

a. Color suitable to article. Pattern selection appropriate.

b. Cutting edges should be neat and uniform.

c. Polyester or silk thread should be used in sewing.

d. No pattern tracing marks should be visible.

e. If glue is used, no glue should be visible.

f. Lacing holes evenly spaced and uniform.

g. Vests, weskits and skirts are more usable when lined.

h. Hides should be matched for uniformity in dye color.

i. Same exterior of the hide faces the same surface and grains match.

j. Attachment of buttons, buckles, etc. is neat and uniform.

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