I made an Autumn Leaf Corset! 🍂 (And tried leatherworking for the first time...)

Thanks to Squarespace for sponsoring this video!

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★ Art details ★
✧Digital art programs: Clip Studio Paint
✧Tablets: Huion Kamvas GT 221 pro (current)
✧Editing: Davinci Resolve 16
✧Sketchbooks: Hardcover Blick 8x10, Hardcover Strathmore 8x10,
◈ My Instagram: prickly_alpaca_art
◈ My work Email (for business, collaboration, or sponsorship inquiries only):

Music is from Epidemic Sound.

[PricklyAlpaca]

Thanks to Squarespace for sponsoring this video! 🍂

[mus.jydn]

You know spooky season has begun when Kira begins morphing into a fall leaf like those Animorph book covers

[eliaskorf]

Hiya! Semi-experienced leatherworking here!(been doing it actively for about a year). For cutting the most important thing is to always have a very sharp blade, so you dont have to use much force to get through the leather. I use a box cutter myself, so I can snap off the blade when it gets dull. But i know more professional workers use a leather knife like a moon shaped one or a skiver that they sharpen before every cutting project. For the wetting of the leather before tooling it; you should get it wet to the point that water droplets sit on top of it when you try to add more. Professionals will tell you to let it sit like that for 10 minutes and then re-apply so it gets properly soaked through, but im too impatient for that lmao. Also small tip for something I ran into and didnt see much advice for: after using an alcohol based dye like fiebings the leather can lose its natural oil and then crack/wrinkle when you try to bend it. Treating it with mink or neatsfoot oil will solve that. Hope thats helpful! Absolutely love how this set came out, the tooling and colours are gorgeous!!

[HesterPrynne]

Thank you for not editing your “mistakes” as you learn something new, or the cuts on your hands you get while learning this new skill. As a crafter, blood, sweat and tears are real! Totally relating right now!

[Glorfindel_]

Hey I'm a leatherworker! You've done really good! First please know that you didnt do anything wrong. This is just some tips for efficiency, or speed, or ease of use (if you want them. If not, hi, loved the video!)
- I use a utility knife/box cutter, and put a new blade in for every project. Usually both sides can get me through most projects.
- With thicker leather like this, dont try and cut all the way through on the first pass, do at least 2. You'll save so much energy.
- Your leaf shapes look awesome! I usually round out all the points and simplify the shape significantly so it's easier to get the wood burnisher (or other smaller tools) in there. Brave to do it more life like, looks great!
- You were correct to wet the leather before tooling, but some efficiency suggestions:
+ Wet it A LOT more. Get it WET. If it seeps through to the back side, you've gone maybe a bit too wet but the actual pro's submerge it in a pot, so...
+ Let it dry for quite a while (10 or 15 minutes??). You want it to feel cold and look aaalmost like it's original colour. Then it's ready to tool.
+ Use an actual knife instead of your spatula. What you did is honestly fine, it's a great start. But it could sponge back out over time if it's just a recess. A cut will stay forever. Your tool pack might have a carving knife in it, google a "Swivel knife". It's got a U shaped spinny bit at the top and a small blade at the bottom.

- I do have one concern though. Unless you didn't show it on camera, you need to be really careful with Fiebings Pro Dye. It can bleed like an artery if you dont do it right, so please watch your clothes and keep an eye on the dye for signs of wear. After applying it, you should buff it. Rub an absorbent rag across it VIGOROUSLY until the rag doesnt pick up any dye. I usually do this right after dying, and then 4 hours later (or overnight whichever is easier at the time). Then I put a sealant like Resolene on it.
- If you do notice dye bleeding, in your case I would say just do another round of Resolene. Both outside and inside, since it seems you dyed the inside too. It's best to dilute the Resolene with water, up to 50/50 but I just eyeball it. Like paint, you want to do 2 thinner coats instead of one thick one. Less visible brush strokes, and it doesnt let the leather absorb a ton of it. You want it to rest on the surface.

Other than that, you did great! You've made me want to try getting some paint to add colour to my leaves. I usually just dye them green, but the extra tones make it look so cool!
Hopefully you dont give up on leather from the cutting experience. It's an awesome material.

[carrie]

You and Rachel Maksy dropping autumn themed outfit makes a day apart is peak youtube and I am so here for it❤

[annicatanner]

Hi! Experienced leather worker here (been doing this for about 5 or 6 years now) I saw in the comments that people like to use box cutters and the like. I personally recommend getting some leather scissors, they are a bit pricier but they are totally worth it. They've saved my hands from so much pain. As for smaller details I actually do prefer a box cutter, but I try to do as much as I can with the scissors. A bunch of other people went over everything else I could recommend doing to help your leather work in the future. But great job and beautiful outcome!

[NerdySalemSays]

Kira becoming a leaf, Rachel becoming an acorn. Truely the most magical time of year (and im stuck in f-ing spring😢)

[link-jxqb]

How dare youtube hide this from me for 2 minutes

[huntressmma]

Using a squirt bottle might help to get a more even dampening of the leather. The water opens up the grain of the leather and through capilary action allows the dye to soak in and spread more evenly. Also I suggest getting a grommet machine, I just Got one and its awesome!

[claracatlady]

I mean we all know what this means right?
In winter we better be seeing an
*icicle glass corset* ❄️⛄️

[jocelynflores]

You and Rachel Maksy are on the same wavelength I swear! I love it.

[aatashiwadoremi]

I didn’t see anyone else talk about this, but Fiskars makes an ergonomic exacto knife that has a little scoop that goes around your index finger and takes pretty much all the pressure off of your fingers and hands. I also saw someone else talk about leather scissors, which I personally have not used, but also sounds like an excellent idea.

I’m sure you could cut the majority out with the scissors and use the ergonomic blade for details. I do very small projects, so I haven’t seen a need to buy scissors, but those sound like a really great idea, I might get my own pair, lol

I deal with chronic pain that is especially focused in my hands and fingers, I always look out for ergonomic tools I can use. I highly recommend it for anyone, not just those who suffer from chronic pain or other chronic health conditions

[rachelash]

There are actual leather scissors, if you'd like to go that route. The very easiest way to cut leather is a nicely sharpened knife (not exacto), but I personally am not experienced with knife sharpening, so I go with the leather scissors. I am happy you are getting into leather! I like it a lot and I think it has a reputation for being harder to do than it is.

[trystanthegypsy]

You deserve a grommet press! Also, watching this video makes me really want to work on leather projects, and I'm currently sewing drapes which is very boring.

[madamemoonscosplay]

Small tip i learnt from my leather worker friends, you want to submerge the leather in water untill bubbles stop appearing. The leather should then be sufficiently wet enough without constantly having to re-apply and the dye will seep into the leather a bit better, also using a daubber or sponge will help spread the dye easier too. It looks absolutely amazing for your first leather project.

[paper_bag_pancake]

how the gentle wind beckons through the leaves as autumn colours fall, dancing in a swirl of golden memories, the loveliest lies of all

[lavendermenace]

26:33 the eyeballs on the paint pallette are immaculate and I feel like fit the vibe of your channel perfectly

[thecalicoheart]

“I have no idea what I am doing, I’m just here to have fun man….” said every crafter ever. Welcome to the club Kira!

Thank you for all you share. 😊💝

[HawkWorley]

I use a burnisher that fits in my drill, and it makes things so much better! Great job taking the step to leather, I look forward to where you go with leather.