Leather work in progress with hands holding stitching needles and thread.

Leathercraft Advice & Guides

Welcome to the British Leather Supplies Learning Hub — your resource for leathercraft guides, saddle stitching tutorials, product reviews, and expert advice for leatherworkers of all skill levels.

Whether you’re learning how to hand stitch leather, choosing the right leathercraft tools, comparing waxed threads and harness needles, or improving your belt and bag making techniques, our guides are designed to help you create stronger, cleaner, and more professional leatherwork.

Browse the grid below or explore by topic.

Guides & Advice

Best Leathercraft Tools for Hand Stitching

Best Leathercraft Tools for Hand Stitching

Choosing the right leathercraft tools for hand stitching can dramatically improve both the appearance of your work and the efficiency of your workflow. From diamond stitching awls to premium waxed...

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Best Leathercraft Tools for Hand Stitching

Choosing the right leathercraft tools for hand stitching can dramatically improve both the appearance of your work and the efficiency of your workflow. From diamond stitching awls to premium waxed...

1 comment
A Beginner’s Guide to Leathercraft

A Beginner’s Guide to Leathercraft

Learn the basics of leathercraft with this complete beginner’s guide. Discover essential leatherworking tools, techniques, stitching methods, and tips for getting started.

A Beginner’s Guide to Leathercraft

Learn the basics of leathercraft with this complete beginner’s guide. Discover essential leatherworking tools, techniques, stitching methods, and tips for getting started.

How to Saddle Stitch Leather by Hand

How to Saddle Stitch Leather by Hand

Learn how to saddle stitch leather by hand with this step-by-step beginner’s guide. Discover the best tools, needles, thread, and techniques for professional leather hand stitching.

How to Saddle Stitch Leather by Hand

Learn how to saddle stitch leather by hand with this step-by-step beginner’s guide. Discover the best tools, needles, thread, and techniques for professional leather hand stitching.

Best Thread for Watch Straps UK (2026 Guide)

Best Thread for Watch Straps UK (2026 Guide)

In this guide, we’ll break down the best thread for watch straps, ideal thread sizes, linen vs polyester, and why many UK leatherworkers choose Meisi Super Fine Linen Thread for...

Best Thread for Watch Straps UK (2026 Guide)

In this guide, we’ll break down the best thread for watch straps, ideal thread sizes, linen vs polyester, and why many UK leatherworkers choose Meisi Super Fine Linen Thread for...

Why Your Leather Stitching Looks Uneven (And How to Fix It)

Why Your Leather Stitching Looks Uneven (And Ho...

Fix uneven leather stitching with this simple guide. Learn the most common causes of inconsistent stitch lines and how to improve your leather stitching quickly.

Why Your Leather Stitching Looks Uneven (And Ho...

Fix uneven leather stitching with this simple guide. Learn the most common causes of inconsistent stitch lines and how to improve your leather stitching quickly.

Best Thread for Leather Wallets UK (2026 Guide)

Best Thread for Leather Wallets UK (2026 Guide)

Discover the best thread for leather wallets in the UK. Compare linen vs polyester thread, find the ideal thread size, and improve your stitching results.

Best Thread for Leather Wallets UK (2026 Guide)

Discover the best thread for leather wallets in the UK. Compare linen vs polyester thread, find the ideal thread size, and improve your stitching results.

Explore Our Leathercraft Resources

Our knowledge centre is regularly updated with new articles covering every aspect of leathercraft.

How-To Guides

Learn new skills with clear, easy-to-follow tutorials covering everything from beginner projects to advanced techniques.

Popular topics include:

  • How to hand stitch leather
  • Saddle stitching explained
  • Burnishing leather edges
  • Installing rivets, snaps and eyelets
  • Setting line 20 and line 24 press studs
  • Using leather dyes and finishes
  • Cutting leather accurately
  • Skiving techniques
  • Leather embossing and stamping
  • Making belts, wallets, bags and accessories

Leathercraft Tips & Techniques

Discover practical advice that can make every project easier and improve the quality of your finished work.

Find articles on:

  • Choosing the correct leather thickness
  • Selecting the right thread and needles
  • Preventing common beginner mistakes
  • Achieving clean edge finishing
  • Improving stitch consistency
  • Working with vegetable tanned leather
  • Working with chrome tanned leather
  • Pattern making advice
  • Workshop organisation
  • Tool maintenance

Product Features & Buying Guides

Not sure which product is right for your project?

Our buying guides explain the differences between popular tools, leathers, hardware and finishes, helping you make informed purchasing decisions.

Topics include:

  • Choosing the right leather for your project
  • Leather grades explained
  • Comparing edge finishes
  • Thread types and sizes
  • Leather dyes vs paints
  • Adhesives for leatherwork
  • Rivets, buckles and hardware explained
  • Leather cutting tools compared
  • Burnishing tools and compounds
  • Which leather finish should you use?

Leather Care & Maintenance

Learn how to keep leather looking its best with expert advice on cleaning, conditioning, storage and long-term maintenance.

Articles include:

  • Cleaning leather correctly
  • Conditioning vegetable tanned leather
  • Protecting leather from moisture
  • Removing stains
  • Storing leather hides
  • Caring for finished leather goods
Leather worker's hands using a mallet and stitching punch

Beginner’s Learning Centre

If you’re new to leathercraft, start here.

Our beginner-friendly guides explain the essential skills, terminology and equipment you’ll need to begin crafting with confidence.

You’ll learn:

  • Essential leatherworking tools
  • Understanding leather weights
  • Basic hand stitching
  • Cutting and measuring leather
  • Simple first projects
  • Choosing your first leather
  • Fenice Diamond Edge Color: The Secret to Professional Leather Edges

    Fenice Diamond Edge Color: The Secret to Profes...

    If you're looking for a smooth, beautifully coloured and professional-looking finish, Fenice Diamond Edge Color is well worth discovering. Made in Italy by leather finishing specialists Fenice, this premium water-based...

    Fenice Diamond Edge Color: The Secret to Profes...

    If you're looking for a smooth, beautifully coloured and professional-looking finish, Fenice Diamond Edge Color is well worth discovering. Made in Italy by leather finishing specialists Fenice, this premium water-based...

  • What Do You Use a Tapping Hammer for in Leathercraft? A Guide to Setting Stitches

    What Do You Use a Tapping Hammer for in Leather...

    Whether you're making a wallet, belt, bag or another handmade leather item, achieving neat, even stitching is an important part of creating a professional finish. One simple but incredibly useful...

    What Do You Use a Tapping Hammer for in Leather...

    Whether you're making a wallet, belt, bag or another handmade leather item, achieving neat, even stitching is an important part of creating a professional finish. One simple but incredibly useful...

  • How to Sharpen a Leather Edge Beveller for Cleaner Leather Edges

    How to Sharpen a Leather Edge Beveller for Clea...

    A sharp edge beveller helps create smooth, consistent edges on handmade leather goods. Whether you're making belts, wallets, bags, dog collars or saddlery, edge preparation is an important part of...

    How to Sharpen a Leather Edge Beveller for Clea...

    A sharp edge beveller helps create smooth, consistent edges on handmade leather goods. Whether you're making belts, wallets, bags, dog collars or saddlery, edge preparation is an important part of...

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Leather work in progress with hands holding stitching needles and thread.

Advanced Leathercraft

Ready to take your skills further?

Explore techniques used by experienced makers, including:

  • Decorative stitching
  • Advanced edge finishing
  • Pattern drafting
  • Wet moulding
  • Leather carving
  • Traditional saddlery techniques
  • Professional finishing methods

Learn About Our Products

Many of our articles focus on getting the very best from the products available at British Leather Supplies.

You’ll find practical advice on using:

  • Leather hides and panels
  • Hand tools
  • Cutting tools
  • Stitching tools
  • Edge finishing products
  • Leather dyes
  • Adhesives
  • Hardware and fittings
  • Threads and needles
  • Care products

Each guide is written to help you understand when to use a product, how to use it correctly and how to achieve the best possible results.

New Articles Added Regularly

Leathercraft is always evolving, and so is our knowledge centre.

We’re continually adding new tutorials, buying guides, project inspiration and product features to ensure you always have access to practical, up-to-date advice.

Whether you’re looking for a quick answer to a workshop question or a detailed step-by-step tutorial, there’s always something new to discover.

Looking for Something Specific?

Use the search function or browse by category to quickly find guides on:

  • Leather types
  • Tools
  • Hardware
  • Stitching
  • Edge finishing
  • Dyes & finishes
  • Leather care
  • Projects
  • Techniques
  • Beginner guides
Becky from British Leather Supplies working at a table with leather and tools in a workshop setting

Why Trust British Leather Supplies?

At British Leather Supplies, we’re passionate about leathercraft. We supply quality leather, tools, hardware and workshop essentials to hobbyists, makers, small businesses and professional craftspeople across the UK.

Our guides are based on practical experience and are written to help you get better results from every project. Whether you’re choosing your first hide, investing in new tools or perfecting traditional techniques, we’re here to support your leathercraft journey with trusted advice and reliable products.

We invite you to explore our growing collection of resources and keep checking back as new guides, tutorials and product features are added throughout the year.

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