4-H Leathercraft

In the 4-H Leathercraft project, youth in grades 3 and up can create projects from leather.  You can learn the construction of small leather articles involving carving, stamping and lacing.  Start with simple articles, such as a coaster, and learn the skills to advance methods of decorating leather.
Leather is one of the oldest natural resources.  Leather clothing and other goods provided some of the earliest humans with protection from the harsh environments.  Beginners can learn the basics of working with leather. Intermediate and advanced projects teach more advanced techniques.

Important Dates

Keep these on your Calendar!

Getting Started

New to Leathercraft? Start Here!

What to Expect Your First Year – Time, Cost, and Care commitments.

Time Commitments

  • Barron County 4-H youth in grades 3rd and older can work with 4-H leathercraft volunteers to learn the art of leathercraft.  Members are able to work one-on-one and in small groups to advance at their own pace.
  • Meet with volunteers to choose your projects/Register online (Winter)
  • Project Work Days with county provided tools 9AM-Noon at the Barron Co Government Center (335 E Monroe Ave, Room 110 – Barron WI)
  • Self-Guided Learning
  • Mentorships (contact Extension Office for volunteer contact information)

Cost Commitments

  • Leathercraft kits can be purchased anywhere, a group order is placed in early winter each year from http://tandyleather.com

Ideas for Project Learning

Learn how to prepare leather

Choose designs for your leather project

Understand tools and how to use them

Practice cutting leather

Learn how to finish your leather projects

Identify types of leather

Share What You Learn With Others!

  • Make something out of leather
  • Create a book or binder of designs that you can use on leather
  • Give a demonstration about Leathercraft
  • Teach someone what you learned

Project Requirements and Ordering Guide

Everything you should know and do in order to participate in the fair leathercraft project.

Reminder: the 4-H leathercraft project is only open to youth in grades 3 and older.

1st Year Leathercraft Members (requirements and ordering information)

Ordering An order will be placed through Tandy Leather (https://tandyleather.com/). 

Below is a list of recommended projects for 1st year members: 1ST YEAR or see visual of all projects here

LEATHERCRAFT MEMBERS (3rd grade and older) – Must enter 2 items – Beginners must have one article that is double looped lace. Both must be carved. No stamping, except for names. No dyed articles. Two articles required, fastened together (be sure to secure items together) (Exception: one of the following finishes must be used: neat lac, super sheen, carnaba cream or leather glow.)

 Double loop lacing is a strong, decorative edge-finishing technique primarily used in leatherworking for items like wallets, bags, and belts, typically requiring a lace length seven times the edge distance. While it is not universal for anything, it can be applied to most leather projects (including those below)

 * 1ST YEAR LEATHERCRAFT MEMBERS – Any leather article that member feels is of an advanced caliber. This can include combination of carving or any other leathercraft skills. Recommended 1st year Projects
Your Place (set of 3 bookmarks) – $9.99 https://tandyleather.com/collections/kits/products/your-place-bookmarks

Adjustable Leather Wristbands ($9.99) – https://tandyleather.com/collections/apparel-accessory-kits/products/adjustable-leather-wristbands?variant=45233606852739

Leather Key Chain ($11.99) – https://tandyleather.com/products/leather-key-chain-kit?pr_prod_strat=pinned&pr_rec_id=b3799ee44&pr_rec_pid=8579081044099&pr_ref_pid=8578979790979&pr_seq=uniform

Key Fob Kit – https://tandyleather.com/products/key-fob-kits?_pos=1&_sid=e5ca534fd&_ss=r&variant=32105301278851

Rectangle Hat Patch ($9.99 for 10) – https://tandyleather.com/collections/leather-shapes/products/rectangle-hat-patch?variant=46392120148099 

Oval Hat Patch ($9.99 for 10) – https://tandyleather.com/products/oval-hat-patch?variant=46392033149059

Small Change Coin Purse Kit – ($9.99) https://tandyleather.com/collections/wallet-kits/products/small-change-coin-purse-kit 

Pocket Coin Holder – (12.99) https://tandyleather.com/products/pocket-coin-holder-kit?_pos=1&_sid=d054fd9cb&_ss=r

Lancer Billfold Kit ($14.99) – https://tandyleather.com/products/lancer-billfold-kit?_pos=2&_sid=85e35ce31&_ss=r 

Folding Knife Pouch Kit ($9.99 (small) or 14.99 (large))- https://tandyleather.com/products/folding-knife-pouch-kit?variant=45233528963203

Luggage Tag Kit ($9.99) – https://tandyleather.com/products/luggage-tag-kit?_pos=3&_sid=dfd3c27e7&_ss=r

2nd year and above

2nd YEAR AND OVER LEATHERCRAFT MEMBERS – Choose projects to your ability level. 

* Leather article made from commercial cut kits. 
* CARVED LEATHER ARTICLE which has been designed by entrant, such as a billfold, belt, purse, keycsae, etc. No kits. 

Advanced members only. * ADVANCED LEATHERCRAFT ARTICLE. This may include articles which combine work from commercial kits and designing done by free hand or pattern. This may also include combination leatherwork and other craft items. * DYED ARTICLE (Open to members in 2nd year of project work) * DYED ARTICLE (Open to members in 3rd year of project work) * DYED ARTICLE (Open to advanced members only) * CREATIVE LEATHERCRAFT ARTICLE Work must be done without use of a kit, stamping or carving tools. * STAINED, DYED, OR PAINTED. Can be pre- embossed. * Any other leathercraft article.

Forms and Downloads

Access all the documents you’ll need right here. (More to come!)

Work Days and Resources: Grow Skills All Year!

Barron County 4-H youth in grades 3rd and older can work with 4-H leathercraft volunteers to learn the art of leathercraft.  Members are able to work one-on-one and in small groups to advance at their own pace.

Mentorships (contact Extension Office for volunteer contact information)

Meet with volunteers to choose your projects (winter)

Project Work Days with county provided tools (see important dates above)

Self-Guided Learning

Fair Week Details

Everything you need to know about what to do and how to be ready for show day.

Registration

  • Fair Registration is due June 20, online at http://barroncountyfair.com

Judging Day

  • When and Where: Leathercraft is judged through Face-to-face judging in the Expo Building on the Tuesday of fair week (1pm-6pm)
  • What Happens: Cultural Arts Judges will ask you about your project and how you made it

Frequently Asked Questions

Here, you’ll find answers to common questions about the leathercraft project. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

How Many Projects can I make?

This depends on time and skill. All 1st year members must make 1 item with double loop lacing and one other item.

What if I have never done leathercraft before?

That is no problem, we have volunteers to help you over several working days.

What if I don’t finish during the workdays?

Sometimes, arrangements can be made to borrow tools.

Where can I choose projects from?

Anywhere, we place an order every year through Tandy Leather. But you can choose where to get your materials.

What does it cost?

Cost varies based on what project you want to complete. There is also a $5 ($10 maximum per family) fee for the year.

What if I don’t know if I want to participate?

Come to the first session and check it out. We have some beginner supplies.

**You will have to get your own supplies if you choose to make anything else.

Contacts

Questions are always welcome.

  • 4-H Volunteer Leathercraft leaders: Joycie Nelson and Tom Ebler

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