Communication, Arts & Leisure Sciences

4-H Leathercraft Project

The Colorado 4‑H Leathercraft Project teaches youth how to work with leather while building creativity, craftsmanship, and record‑keeping skills.

• Unit 1 covers leather history, preparation, stamping, stitching, lacing, and basic finishing.
• Unit 2 introduces beginner carving techniques using tools such as swivel knives, bevelers, and shaders, plus double‑loop lacing.
• Unit 3 expands into intermediate carving—traditional, inverted, and silhouette—along with advanced stitching and finishing.
• Unit 4 focuses on detailed carving, including pictorial and figure work, as well as dyeing, shading, antiquing, and finishing.
• Unit 5 advances stamping with more intricate patterns.
• Unit 7 explores braiding and untooled leather, Unit 8 emphasizes mastering multiple techniques, and Unit 9 teaches saddle making or repair.

Instructional videos are available for each chapter of the Colorado 4‑H Leathercraft Manual.

Learn more about the 4-H Leathercraft project on Colorado 4-H.