leather craft

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Task 1: types

Since early Bible times, people have been using animal skins to make items. Leather comes in many varieties. You will want to plan ahead for whatever project you will be completing. It comes in different thickness and colors. There are several animals that are used for leather. Below are four popular choices used for the making of leather.

Label the animals we can harvest leather from:

Cowhide or calfskin is coarse leather that has large grain.

Pigskin is supple, long-lasting, and durable.

Deerskin is tough, breathable, lightweight, and water-resistant.

Sheepskin is a thin and soft leather.

You may not know this, but leather craft has been around since Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden. They immediately had to start working with their hands and creating items to use and wear. Working with your hands and creating an original work of art can be very rewarding. Look into the process of leather crafting by completing the tasks in this emblem. You will learn the basic tools and techniques needed to create projects, and then put that knowledge to use to make your very own wallet or other item.

To earn the Leather Craft emblem, you must complete ALL of the tasks.

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When working with your leather, you will need to have tools to use in order to prepare the leather for your projects. Match the tool to the definition.

Square or ruler A tool designed to make a clean hole through leather

hammer/mallet A tool with a sharp blade for cutting, trimming, and designing projects

punch A tool used to strike other tools or nails

tracer/awl A tool used to trace or mark leather for cutting

sharp knife A tool used to create right angles and straight lines on the leather

Task 2: tools

Piecing leather together is necessary in making your projects. To get a feel for the way you will work the strapping, you will practice a basic stitch using some common craft supplies. Follow the directions below, and practice a whipstitch.

Materials• Construction paper

• Hole punch

• Yarn

Instructions1. Punch holes one half of an inch apart down one edge of two pieces of paper. Line up the

pages so the holes match.

2. Thread your yarn through the top hole on the paper.

3. Tie a knot to attach the yarn to the paper.

4. Move the thread looping into the hole on the top and whipping it around and through the

Task 3: lacing

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Task 4: tooling

When you make your project you may want to add details and designs to the outside of it. In the boxes below, make three designs that you might like to add to the outside of your leather project. Keep them simple.

top again. Use the diagram to see what the stitch should look like.

5. Continue the stitch down the full length of the paper.

6. In the last hole, tie a knot connecting the papers together and trim the yarn.

7. Open the paper and see how your stitch holds the two pieces together.

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Task 5: project

For this task you will complete a leather wallet for your project. If your troop decides on a different project to complete, it must be cleared by your troop leader and he or she will provide directions.

1. With a ruler, knife, and cutting board, measure two rectangles out of your piece of leather measuring 3.5” x 9” and cut the pieces out.

2. Fold one piece of leather in half, and trim a half moon out of inside corner.

3. If leather tooling a design, prepare your leather now and etch the design on the wallet pieces.

4. Punch holes 1/8 inch from the edge on three sides.

5. Line the holes up.

6. Use the whipstitch to lace the wallet pieces together.

7. Fold your wallet and press it under something heavy for the night. It will be ready to use in the morning.

Once you have decided on a design, you will want to know how to make your designs on the leather when the time comes to make your project.

1. Wet your leather for about 10 seconds.

2. Use a towel to gently dry the area.

3. Allow leather to rest for three to four minutes.

4. Pick a design, and have it drawn or printed on a paper.

5. Place the paper over the area of the leather you will tool.

6. Use a pencil and trace the design, pressing hard enough for the pattern to etch into the leather.

7. Use an awl or rounded blade knife to cut the design gently out of the top layer of leather.

8. Now, your leather is ready to make your project.

bible time

Leader’s or Resource Person’s Signature

Date Completed

Emblem Completion

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ON TARGET!Every time you pass a mirror this week, smile, and remind yourself that you are wonderfully made by God.

Psalm 139:14 NIV

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

reach for the stars

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Star Completion

Leader’s or Resource Person’s Signature

Date Completed

To complete the Reach for the Stars project, finish one of the choices below.

Choose another leather project to complete. Pick the right leather for the job, cut it, and assemble the craft. Show it to your troop leader.

– OR –

Visit a leather shop. Pay special attention to the detail tooling and lacing on the items in the shop. Leather craft is a true form of art! Talk to your troop leader about what you noticed and learned.

leader resourceleather craft

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Today, there are so many kinds of leather that are processed with a variety of treatments. In past times, the hide of an animal was treated by using the animal’s brain and working it into the leather; however, today there are more options to tanning the material! When selecting a leather to use for your group, you want to choose one that is economical, durable, and easy to work. A good choice is usually cowhide or calfskin for this project.

Cowhide or calfskin is coarse leather that has large grain.

Pigskin is supple, long lasting and durable.

Deerskin is tough, breathable, lightweight, and water-resistant.

Sheepskin is thin and soft leather.

Task 1: types

The Leather Craft emblem is a very specific set of tasks for the boys to complete a project. It is set up to complete at the corps or a camp setting. You will need to arrange to have tools available for the boys, along with materials needed to complete a full leather project for each Explorer.

To earn the Leather Craft emblem, Explorers must complete ALL of the tasks.

Pigskin

Sheepskin

cowhide/calfskin

deerskin

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Task 2: tools

Tools are imperative to learning to complete a true leather craft. Working with them can be dangerous, so take precautions. It is possible to buy a kit to make a leather project. If you choose to go that route for this emblem, bring tools in for the boys to hold and explore. You never know if one of your boys will want to do leather crafting as a hobby or career later in life.

Square or ruler A tool designed to make a clean hole through leather

hammer/malletA tool with a sharp blade for cutting, trimming, and designing projects

punch A tool used to strike other tools or nails

tracer/awl A tool used to trace or mark leather for cutting

sharp knifeA tool used to create right angles and straight lines on the leather

Safety Tips:• When using the knife, cut away from you.

• Always use a cutting board or approved surface for knife work and punching.

• Never try to cut in the air. Always put the leather on a flat surface.

• When using a tool for tooling the leather, work with strokes away from you.

Task 3: lacing

There are many options when it comes to stitching any project. For the Explorers to complete their project for this emblem, the whipstitch is a durable, functional choice that will hold their creation together. A needle can be used, but is not necessary as long as the hole punch makes holes big enough for the yarn to fit through. Practicing the stitch will give them confidence when it comes time to make the finished project.

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Materials• Construction paper

• Hole punch

• Yarn

Instructions1. Punch holes one half of an inch apart down one edge of two pieces of paper. Line up the

pages so the holes match.

2. Thread your yarn through the top hole on the paper.

3. Tie a knot to attach the yarn to the paper.

4. Move the thread looping into the hole on the top and whipping it around and through the top again. Use the diagram to see what the stitch should look like.

5. Continue the stitch down the full length of the paper.

6. In the last hole, tie a knot connecting the papers together and trim the yarn.

7. Open the paper and see how your stitch holds the two pieces together.

Task 4: tooling

With leather projects, craftsmen will add designs and details to make them original and fashionable. Some of the designs can be very intricate and time-consuming. Specific tools are needed if you plan to tool. There are sets available for purchase at reasonable prices. There are stamps available to make prints and designs. For your Explorers, encourage them to create simplistic designs. Show them examples of worked leather if you have any or pictures of designs from below.

Tooling Instructions1. Wet your leather for about 10 seconds.

2. Use a towel to gently dry the area.

3. Allow leather to rest for three to four minutes.

4. Pick a design, and have it drawn or printed on a paper.

5. Place the paper over the area of the leather you will tool.

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6. Use a pencil and trace the design, pressing hard enough for the pattern to etch into the leather.

7. Use an awl or rounded blade knife to cut the design gently out of the top layer of leather.

8. Now, your leather is ready to make your project.

This will be the part that the Explorers have been waiting to complete. Below are directions for piecing together a leather wallet. If your troop or camp group would like to pick a different project, make sure that it includes the leather working steps for completion or that you teach and review them ahead of time. If you are working in large groups, you may want to pre-cut and punch the leather ahead of time.

Materials• 7” x 18” piece of leather for each Explorer

• Sharp knife

• Leather lacing

• Leather punch or sharp nail

• Tooling/stamping equipment

• Cutting board

Instructions1. With a ruler, knife, and cutting board, measure two

rectangles out of your piece of leather measuring 3.5” x 9” and cut the pieces out.

2. Fold one piece of leather in half, and trim a half moon out of inside corner.

3. If leather tooling a design, prepare your leather now and etch the design on the wallet pieces.

4. Punch holes 1/8 inch from the edge on three sides.

5. Line the holes up.

6. Use the whipstitch to lace the wallet pieces together.

7. Fold your wallet and press it under something heavy

Task 5: project

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for the night. It will be ready to use in the morning.

BooksBasic Leathercrafting by Elizabeth Letcavage

Leatherworking Handbook by Valerie Michael

Online ResourcesBasic leather tools: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5um5J5qEoNo

Leather types: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNlqNYhqkdY

Tooling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPMZuWlke_0

Knife work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOy3JB0Eg8Q

Online Resources for Kitshttp://www.sbearstradingpost.com/Youth.html https://www.tandyleather.com/en-usd/home/beginning-leather-kits.aspx

bible time

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Leader Resource: leather craft - Bible Study

Psalm 139:14 NIV“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Supplies: Leather project (several if you have them)

Introduction: I have really enjoyed working with leather and lacing. I enjoy the feel of the tools in my hand. I feel like if I made 15 wallets, they would all be very different. Even if I used the same template to make the designs, when I used my tools there would be differences in how deep I would make the curves. My lines would work with the grain of the leather and create a line that was unique to that particular piece. The leather would have different colors and lines. Yet, each one that I made would be just as special to me!

Scripture: God feels the same way about each one of us. He has spent time to create all of us in his image. In Psalm 139:14, we read, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” God worked hard to make you just who you are. He took special attention to details. And He made you someone really special! God doesn’t make mistakes — He makes wonderfully made creations! That is you — fearfully and wonderfully made.

ON TARGET!

Every time you pass a mirror this week, smile, and remind yourself that you are wonderfully made by God.

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, Thank you for making us unique, wonderful, and ready to praise You! Sometimes, we don’t feel so great, like we are failing or not good enough, but we know that is not true! You don’t make mistakes! You make us just right in your sight. Show us how to live with great joy and peace. We praise You and glorify You. In Your name, amen.