Leather Weaving Tools
Most leather weaving is done without tools; only using one’s hands overlaying and intertwining leather strips. If one is introducing leather strips into a solid piece of leather to create a weave, there are several tools that will be useful to create a uniform look. For adding a woven edge to a belt, one would use a Weaving Slot Punch tool. Slot punches come in various widths, depending on the size of the weave desired. Common sizes are 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, and 11mm. One would also need to either purchase the strips of leather or use a version of a strap cutter to create them. Other tools available for weaving leather, similar to a basket weave, are Strait Blades, Eye Caning Needle, and Bent Strait Blade.
Leather Weaving Machines
Leather weaving machines are generally referred to as looms. Looms are a mechanical method of semi-automatically placing the strips in their location horizontally interlacing them with other strips being held in place vertically. There are also automatic looms where an operator simply keeps a loom loaded with raw materials. The machine will place and interlace the pieces automatically, creating the weave.
Leather Weaving Strips
Leather weaving strips are entwined with other strips of similar or varying widths. These strips can range from a few millimeters to a few inches in width. These leather strips can range in thickness from 1oz to 5-6oz leather. Multiple types of tanned leather can be used to create these strips; from chrome tanned to veg tanned. These strips can be dyed any number of colors, or left natural. Typically there is a finish applied to the outer layer to protect from moisture.
Leather Weaving Techniques
There are many styles of leather weaving that can be used to create end products with different visual styles. These can be utilized to create stylistic differences, and in some cases can also relate to the strength of the finished item. Let’s take a look at some of the common leather weaving techniques.
Leather Plaiting
Leather plaiting is very similar to braiding. 3 to as many as 8 single strands of leather, typically the same width and length, are woven together very tightly. These plaited leather pieces are ideal for bracelets, necklaces, animal leashes, straps, or bag handles.
Loose End Weaving
Loose end weaving involves many single strips of leather that are interwoven to create a unique pattern. The loose ends are then fastened to a sort of finished edge that would encompass all the ends. This technique is used for furniture, baskets, and other similar home furnishing items.
Finished End Weaving
Finished end weaving requires the strips be cut into a strap, running parallel with each other along length of strap, leaving the strap ends uncut. These strips within the strap are then twisted together by bringing the end of the strap between the strips to create a pattern. This style of weaving is typically called a “mystery braid”.
Embedded Leather Weave
Embedded leather weave involves making small slits in a larger piece of leather and inserting strips into the slits creating a weave look. This style of weave is used on wallet surfaces, belts, straps, and some seating surfaces.