Intermediate LEatherworking Guide
Reaching the intermediate stage of leatherworking is an important transition. You understand the basics, you have completed multiple projects, and your work is functional. What often feels challenging at this point is consistency. Small details matter more, mistakes are more noticeable, and progress can feel slower even though your skills are improving.
This page is designed to help bridge that gap.
Rather than teaching fundamentals from scratch, this intermediate leatherworking guide focuses on refining technique, improving control, and helping you identify the areas that will most impact the quality of your work. It serves as a curated hub of tools, resources, and learning paths to help you move forward with intention.
What Defines Intermediate Leatherworking
Intermediate leatherworking is less about learning new tools and more about learning how to use familiar tools better.
At this stage, many leatherworkers focus on:
- Improving accuracy in cutting, stitching, and layout
- Developing cleaner tooling and carving lines
- Achieving more consistent edge finishing
- Understanding leather selection and thickness choices
- Beginning to develop a personal style or specialty
These skills apply across nearly every leather discipline, from traditional tooling to modern minimal design. This page provides orientation and resources rather than detailed instruction.
Learning Resources for Intermediate Leatherworkers
At the intermediate level, learning often comes from seeing how experienced makers solve problems and refine their process. The resources below are included because they offer depth without being brand-driven.
Industry and Educational Resources
- Leathercraft Classes - If you've gotten the basics down, you might want to look at classes that interest you to learn specialized techniques.
- Tandy Leather's Leathercraft Library - This is a robust collection of historical patterns, which includes some project templates, historical "Doodle Pages, and more.
- Elktracks Studio's Free Pattern Library - Nearly 200 different free patterns, including Western floral carving, figure carving, embossed projects, and more. Most have an accompanying video that is available for purchase, however the patterns themselves are great resource.
Community and Media Resources
- Leather Crafters Journal - This popular industry magazine comes out bi-monthly and features written instruction by professionals all over the world on a wide variety of topics. Each issue also comes with a pattern pullout to accompany the projects.
- Leatherworking Communities - Find leathercraft conversations online or in your area to create community and get feedback on your projects
- Podcast & Videos - If you've discovered your niche in leatherwork, learn from people who are doing what you're interested in or discover something new.
These resources link to external sites and are included for their educational value, not endorsement.
Explore Related Learning Paths
Many intermediate leatherworkers begin narrowing their focus or expanding into new disciplines. You may want to explore:
- Advanced leatherworking techniques
- Leather tooling guides to advance your skill
- Costuming and specialty leather applications
Internal links to these paths help guide your next stage of growth.
advice from the leatherworking community
"Most mistakes can be worked around... but not all! No matter how long you've been doing leatherwork, major mistakes happen!" - Amanda Fraker, Fraker Saddlery
“Even if you can't practice tooling every day, practice your drawing. When you practice drawing, you build muscle memory for lines, curves, and circles. You’re training your body to make those movements, and you’re also training your eyes to see things like flat spots, or how something is going to flow.” - Sarah Garvey, Western Skies Handmade
“Practice is what carries you through the rough spots. It’s what gets you past the stage where things don’t look the way you want them to. You just keep doing the work.” - Jim Linnell, Elktracks Studio
"The key to growth, for me, has been to bite off more than I can chew, and then figure out how to chew it." - Daniel Reach, Daniel Reach Creations
A few intermediate resources to advance your skills
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are comfortable with basic tools, complete projects independently, and are focused on improving consistency and finish quality, you are likely at the intermediate level.
Most intermediate leatherworkers see the biggest improvement by focusing on edge work, stitching consistency, and cleaner layout.
Better tools can help, but technique matters more. Many improvements come from practice and process refinement rather than new equipment.
Yes. Progress often slows at the intermediate level because expectations rise. This is a common and healthy part of skill development.
Article Attribution
Written By: Michael Magnus
Contributions By: Amanda Fraker, Sarah Garvey, Jim Linnell, Daniel Reach
Edited By: Annie Libertini
Want to add something or see something that needs correcting? Our goal is to have a complete and accurate resource for the industry. Please reach out to us via our Contact page and share any additional information that would be helpful.
Disclosure
This page is intended to be a neutral educational resource. Some product links on this site may point to items sold directly through our store. External links are included for educational value and are not endorsements.
In the future, some external links may include affiliate relationships. These relationships do not influence which resources are included or how they are described.