Have you worked with leather?

I've got some lovely soft coloured leather that I want to block over a button block. Has anyone worked with leather before who can provide some advice on how to block it? I've tried researching on the web and some sites suggest steaming it (in the same way as a felt hood) but others suggest immersing it in water. I'm worried the water may mark the leather. Grateful for your advice...

Thanks
VMM

Tags: leather

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Permalink Reply by James February 14, 2020 at 1:00pm

My mother is a seamstress and she has several sewing machines. For leather works, she uses a Tippmann Boss machine, which is extremely strong and punches through even very thick leather. https://www.amazon.com/Tippmann-AR-Leather-Sewing-Machine/dp/B0769D... I think this advanced machine is more for guys who do leather work and not for hobbyists. In addition to Tippmann, she has a Janome MB-4S embroidery machine she is very excited about. All our relatives, my wife, have named clothes: hats, scarfs, handkerchiefs etc. Such unique outfits always become highly-appreciated presents.

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Permalink Reply by Marysia Teresa Paling July 14, 2025 at 7:18am

Hi,

I am currently working through the fabulous veiled leather percher course by Sophie Allport, it is excellent and she teaches you how to block leather. She covers all the steps for blocking leather and indeed you use a button block so this could work out well for you. Sophie also covers how to make the percher frame, the veiled brim and the leather trims, so you receive a lot of tuition and can use the other skills and techniques to trim your button.

Perhaps there are other lessons/courses on hat academy that show blocking with leather within studio plus.

Have you worked with leather?

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