In this tutorial, you will discover how to easily make a leather business card holder, using a simple pattern and accessible techniques. This project is perfect for learning the fundamental skills: cutting leather, edge beveling, burnishing, gluing, saddle stitching, and edge finishing. The free downloadable pattern is available in the “Required Materials” section.
The YouTube video tutorial guides you visually through each step, and this article complements the video so you can follow the process at your own pace.
Why make a leather business card holder?
The business card holder is a small everyday accessory, but it offers many advantages for learning leathercraft:
- A simple and quick project to complete
- Ideal for learning basic leatherworking techniques
- Requires little leather and few tools
- Easily customizable
- Useful for everyday use and perfect as a handmade gift
Whether you are a complete beginner or already familiar with leather, this tutorial will help you improve your skills while creating a neat and durable object.
Materials needed for this leather tutorial
- A business card holder pattern - download by clicking here
- Leather (between 1.6 and 2.2 mm thick with some firmness)
- A cutter or leather knife
- A ruler
- An edge beveler
- Tokonole cream
- A file
- Leather glue
- Stitching chisels
- A hammer
- Leather sewing thread
- Two needles
- A bone folder
Step-by-step guide to making a leather business card holder
Step 1: Cut out the pattern
Carefully cut out the paper pattern for the business card holder. A well-cut pattern ensures a more precise and consistent final result.
Step 2: Transfer the pattern onto the leather
Place the pattern on the leather and trace the outlines using a pen or a scratch awl. Take your time to achieve clean and well-aligned markings.
Step 3: Cut the leather
Cut the leather following the traced lines. A clean and even cut will make the next steps easier and improve the overall finish.
Step 4: Bevel and burnish the inner edges
Bevel the inner part of the leather that will hold the business cards. Then burnish the edge using Tokonole cream to achieve a smooth and durable finish.
Step 5: Bevel and burnish the unglued edges
Bevel the edges that will not be glued together, then burnish them as well with Tokonole cream. These edges will remain visible once the holder is finished.
Step 6: Sand the edges to be glued
Lightly sand the edges that will be glued. This step opens the leather fibers and improves glue adhesion.
Step 7: Apply the glue
Apply a thin layer of leather glue to one of the sides to be assembled, making sure to spread it evenly.
Step 8: Glue one side
Join the pieces together and press firmly to ensure a strong bond.
Step 9: Mark the stitching line
Draw the stitching line along the glued edge. This line will serve as a guide for the stitching chisels.
Step 10: Use the stitching chisels
Using a hammer, strike the stitching chisels to create evenly spaced holes for sewing.
Step 11: Saddle stitch
Sew the leather using the saddle stitch, a traditional technique known for its strength and durability.
Step 12: Glue and stitch the other side
Repeat the same steps for the second side: gluing, marking the line, punching holes, and saddle stitching.
Step 13: Shape the holder with a bone folder
Use the bone folder to give the business card holder its final shape and define the folds of the leather.
Step 14: Finish the stitched edges
Finally, bevel the stitched edges and polish them carefully with Tokonole cream to achieve a clean, professional finish.
Your leather business card holder is now complete.
Conclusion
This leather business card holder tutorial is an excellent exercise for learning the basics of leathercraft. It helps you understand the essential steps of traditional leatherworking while creating a useful and aesthetically pleasing object.
You can personalize your creation by varying the leather, thread colors, or finishes to create a unique holder.