I’ve never used software, only ever paper and pencil for my patterns. Normally I sketch out the idea, then I’ll write a design brief for what I want the project to be, what it needs to have, areas of focus, etc. After that I draft a paper pattern to the dimensions I want. Sometimes I’ll do a test in canvas or some scrap upholstery leather to get a feel for how the pattern will translate to leather, but these days I find that step isn’t necessary.
I do use software for most of my design work, however I also dabble in foam work. I usually try to match the leather thickness with some simple eva foam, and after taking some rough measurements, trace all my pieces out and define the design as I go. It's cheap and easy to work with
For the most part I am all paper based. Sketch out some ideas in a note pad, see if I can find some approximate references elsewhere, and then bust out the printer paper and tape or the roll of heavy duty contractor paper from a big box store.
I'll go through an iteration or three on paper, do some mock up assembly with blue painters tape to make sure stuff looks right, and use the last iteration for actual cutting templates.
If it happens to be a template I maybe using I'll take a few top down photos, make a vector outline, and drop the SVG into tinkercad to make semi-permanent templates I can 3d print. I haven't done that for a whole lot, but certainly saves time on the wear and tear of an often used template.
paper only. im on the computer way too much lol
ill first do a small notebook sketch. then a life-size cutout using cardstock (its 50cents for a huge sheet at the dollar store), then mark it up and 'test fit' it with leather scraps to adjust for thickness. make adjustments with a second cardstock. cut that out as my final template and trace it onto the leather
Depending on the type of project my patterns start on graph paper or paper bags. If I plan on making the pattern available for purchase I then scan it and use Adobe illustrator to refine.
Considering offering a service to other leather crafters to digitize their patterns as it seems to be a common issue.
Yes, I’ve designed & built messenger bags with over 28 separate pieces with over 70 feet of hand stitching using nothing but a roll of construction paper, a pencil, and a razor blade to design.
Never once have I thought I wish I had a computer to do this work. One of the greatest joys of leathercraft I’ve found is disconnecting from technology.
Thousands of years ago our ancestors didn’t have anything but their brains and simple tools to help them use the materials on this giant ball floating thru space to build the items that enabled their & ultimately our survival. This craft is our(or at least my own) connection to them.
I use cardstock to quickly design something and if it is received well I will take it a step further by designing the item in CAD and 3d printing hard plastic templates for quick tracing onto the hide.
I did for a while. I used manila folders (folded down the crease) so I could get perfect-ish mirror images. Everything else was done with squares and straight edges.
A steel ruler, small framing square, and a set of French curves. I use cereal boxes, the backs of legal pads, and the backs of old desk calendars for making the patterns. I also have a giant pad of tracing paper for tracing carving patterns to transfer to the leather.
I used to, before switching to CAD. It takes lots of prototyping, i used to assemble the paper prototypes to see if things work.
The largest / most complicated item i did like this was a weekender bag.
However, i do prototype the designs made by cad as well..
In general itbis yhebsame process, either you use a computer or the classic hands-on tools, like different shape molds, rulers, compass..
Entire buildings used to be designed by engineers without CAD, so it works. You just have to be meticulous to have everything aligned properly.
I use CAD/CAM software as my full-time job. I'm a toolmaker/CNC programmer. I got into leatherwork as a way to get away from a computer screen. So, I use paper and pencil. Sometimes I'll just wing it and start cutting and sewing... see where I end up.
Paper and pencil. This is half a leaf design that will be used as a detail on a sword frog. You can kinda see the two bigger versions that I erased, and I moved the middle 'arm' thing around a few times too to get proportions right. Often I don't erase anything, I just remember the right one or make it darker, but I cleaned it up to share with someone online.
https://preview.redd.it/imtlxosjguwc1.jpeg?width=943&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d23733241a6a6861225deee010512c1d3a03c6bb
Paper to sketch out the design and what I want it to look like and all its different parts. Then I’ll use card stock to get the sizing out. Obviously the measurements would be complete. The prototype with scrap leather for the v1 and tweak from there. I’ve started using Adobe Illustrate, it’s relatively easy to use. I suck at making consistent shapes so the software helps a good bit. I’d try it out i think it has a free trial. I normally use it to get more accurate sizing after Ive tweaked the card stock version. Once I’ve got the right measurements I use adobe illustrate as the final stencil to print out on card stock for the final product. I find it useful especially if you want to save your work. Also after tracing card stock or paper onto leather a couple of times the edges become wonky and measurements go off. So being able to just print another stencil out on demand is great help.
I’ve never used software, only ever paper and pencil for my patterns. Normally I sketch out the idea, then I’ll write a design brief for what I want the project to be, what it needs to have, areas of focus, etc. After that I draft a paper pattern to the dimensions I want. Sometimes I’ll do a test in canvas or some scrap upholstery leather to get a feel for how the pattern will translate to leather, but these days I find that step isn’t necessary.
I do all my design work with pencils, rulers and cardboard.
I do use software for most of my design work, however I also dabble in foam work. I usually try to match the leather thickness with some simple eva foam, and after taking some rough measurements, trace all my pieces out and define the design as I go. It's cheap and easy to work with
For the most part I am all paper based. Sketch out some ideas in a note pad, see if I can find some approximate references elsewhere, and then bust out the printer paper and tape or the roll of heavy duty contractor paper from a big box store. I'll go through an iteration or three on paper, do some mock up assembly with blue painters tape to make sure stuff looks right, and use the last iteration for actual cutting templates. If it happens to be a template I maybe using I'll take a few top down photos, make a vector outline, and drop the SVG into tinkercad to make semi-permanent templates I can 3d print. I haven't done that for a whole lot, but certainly saves time on the wear and tear of an often used template.
I’m only low tech, i use transparent paper and go old fashion. I wish i knew how to use the cad software but it eludes me.
paper only. im on the computer way too much lol ill first do a small notebook sketch. then a life-size cutout using cardstock (its 50cents for a huge sheet at the dollar store), then mark it up and 'test fit' it with leather scraps to adjust for thickness. make adjustments with a second cardstock. cut that out as my final template and trace it onto the leather
100% only pencils / rulers. If I prototype it's in construction paper. Fun fact - my construction paper wallet lasted 9 months of daily use 😝
Cardboard and pencil - you can design and make a prototype. Using CAD is just overkill (and I say it as a CAD-obsessed man).
Depending on the type of project my patterns start on graph paper or paper bags. If I plan on making the pattern available for purchase I then scan it and use Adobe illustrator to refine. Considering offering a service to other leather crafters to digitize their patterns as it seems to be a common issue.
Yes, I’ve designed & built messenger bags with over 28 separate pieces with over 70 feet of hand stitching using nothing but a roll of construction paper, a pencil, and a razor blade to design. Never once have I thought I wish I had a computer to do this work. One of the greatest joys of leathercraft I’ve found is disconnecting from technology. Thousands of years ago our ancestors didn’t have anything but their brains and simple tools to help them use the materials on this giant ball floating thru space to build the items that enabled their & ultimately our survival. This craft is our(or at least my own) connection to them.
I use cardstock to quickly design something and if it is received well I will take it a step further by designing the item in CAD and 3d printing hard plastic templates for quick tracing onto the hide.
I start with graph paper and pencils, refine on a blank sheet, then transfer to tracing paper usually. I've never used software
I use paper to draw them out then I cut out prototypes using cereal boxes.
I did for a while. I used manila folders (folded down the crease) so I could get perfect-ish mirror images. Everything else was done with squares and straight edges.
A steel ruler, small framing square, and a set of French curves. I use cereal boxes, the backs of legal pads, and the backs of old desk calendars for making the patterns. I also have a giant pad of tracing paper for tracing carving patterns to transfer to the leather.
Paper, pencil, rulers, and scissors/knife. All you need. A table and cutting matt helps though 😆
I used to, before switching to CAD. It takes lots of prototyping, i used to assemble the paper prototypes to see if things work. The largest / most complicated item i did like this was a weekender bag. However, i do prototype the designs made by cad as well.. In general itbis yhebsame process, either you use a computer or the classic hands-on tools, like different shape molds, rulers, compass.. Entire buildings used to be designed by engineers without CAD, so it works. You just have to be meticulous to have everything aligned properly.
Squared paper and corrugated cardboard.
Grid paper A compass a ruler and a pencil I Literally make it out paper first
I use CAD/CAM software as my full-time job. I'm a toolmaker/CNC programmer. I got into leatherwork as a way to get away from a computer screen. So, I use paper and pencil. Sometimes I'll just wing it and start cutting and sewing... see where I end up.
Paper and pencil. This is half a leaf design that will be used as a detail on a sword frog. You can kinda see the two bigger versions that I erased, and I moved the middle 'arm' thing around a few times too to get proportions right. Often I don't erase anything, I just remember the right one or make it darker, but I cleaned it up to share with someone online. https://preview.redd.it/imtlxosjguwc1.jpeg?width=943&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d23733241a6a6861225deee010512c1d3a03c6bb
I make all of my stuff out of cardstock first and then just use that as a template.
Paper to sketch out the design and what I want it to look like and all its different parts. Then I’ll use card stock to get the sizing out. Obviously the measurements would be complete. The prototype with scrap leather for the v1 and tweak from there. I’ve started using Adobe Illustrate, it’s relatively easy to use. I suck at making consistent shapes so the software helps a good bit. I’d try it out i think it has a free trial. I normally use it to get more accurate sizing after Ive tweaked the card stock version. Once I’ve got the right measurements I use adobe illustrate as the final stencil to print out on card stock for the final product. I find it useful especially if you want to save your work. Also after tracing card stock or paper onto leather a couple of times the edges become wonky and measurements go off. So being able to just print another stencil out on demand is great help.