Leatherwork Merit Badge Requirements

Requirements

1. # Copy link to requirement 1
   Do the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 1.a
      Explain to your counselor the hazards you are most likely to encounter while using leatherwork tools and materials, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, or lessen these hazards.
      Resources:

      • Safety in Leatherwork | Dangers and Health and Safety Tips (video)
   2. # Copy link to requirement 1.b
      Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while working with leather, including minor cuts and scratches, puncture wounds, ingested poisoning, and reactions from exposure to chemicals such as dyes, cements, and finishes used in leatherworking.
      Resources:

      • First Aid (PDF)
      • First Aid for Minor Cuts (website)
      • First Aid for Puncture Wounds (website)
   Resources:

   • Be Prepared (video)
2. # Copy link to requirement 2
   Explain the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 2.a
      Where leather comes from
      Resources:

      • How is Leather Made? (video)
   2. # Copy link to requirement 2.b
      Kinds of hides that are used to make leather
      Resources:

      • Picking the Best Part of the Leather Hide (video)
      • Useful Leather Crafting Charts (website)
   3. # Copy link to requirement 2.c
      Five types of leather
      Resources:

      • Leather Is Made From Which Animal (video)
   4. # Copy link to requirement 2.d
      Best uses for each type of leather.
      Resources:

      • What Leather Should I Use for Tooling? (video)
      • Choosing the Correct Leather for your Project (video)
3. # Copy link to requirement 3
   Make one or more articles of leather that use at least five of the following steps:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 3.a
      Pattern layout and transfer
      Resources:

      • Transferring Patterns (video)
      • "Tap offs" or Mirrored Image Transfers (video)
   2. # Copy link to requirement 3.b
      Cutting leather
      Resources:

      • Best Practices for Cutting Leather (video)
   3. # Copy link to requirement 3.c
      Punching holes
      Resources:

      • How to Use a Rotary Hole Punch (video)
      • How to Punch Holes (video)
   4. # Copy link to requirement 3.d
      Carving or stamping surface designs
      Resources:

      • Basic Leather Carving (video)
      • How to Stamp Leather (video)
   5. # Copy link to requirement 3.e
      Applying dye or stain and finish to the project
      Resources:

      • Basics of Hand Dyeing Leather (video)
   6. # Copy link to requirement 3.f
      Assembly by lacing or stitching
      Resources:

      • How to Punch Holes (for Sewing) in Leather (video)
      • How to Choose the Right Thread and Needle Size for Hand-Sewing in Leather (video)
      • The Most Common Stitches in Hand-Stitching for Leatherwork (video)
      • How to Start and End Hand-Swing Lines in Leather (video)
   7. # Copy link to requirement 3.g
      Setting snaps and rivets
      Resources:

      • How to Set Snaps (video)
      • How to Remove a Snap (video)
      • How to Set Rivets (video)
   8. # Copy link to requirement 3.h
      Dressing edges.
      Resources:

      • Edge Finishing Techniques (video)
4. # Copy link to requirement 4
   Braid or plait an article out of leather, vinyl lace, or paracord.
   Resources:

   • Four Strand Round Braid (video)
   • Plaiting: How to Braid Any Number of Cords (video)
5. # Copy link to requirement 5
   Do ONE of the following:
   1. # Copy link to requirement 5.a
      Learn about the commercial tanning process. Report about it to your counselor.
      Resources:

      • How is Leather Made? (video)
   2. # Copy link to requirement 5.b
      Tan the skin of a small animal. Describe the safety precautions you will take and the tanning method that you used.
      Resources:

      • How to Tan Animal Hides (Never Destroy Animals for This Purpose) (video)
   3. # Copy link to requirement 5.c
      Recondition or show that you can take proper care of your shoes, a baseball glove, a saddle, furniture, or other articles of leather. Discuss with your counselor the advantages or disadvantages of leather vs. synthetic materials.
      Resources:

      • How to Clean & Shine Leather Shoes! (video)
      • How to Care for Your Baseball Glove (video)
      • How to Clean a Western Saddle (video)
      • How to Remove Mold and Mildew on Leather (video)
   4. # Copy link to requirement 5.d
      Visit a leather-related business. This could be a leathercraft supply company, a tannery, a leather goods or shoe factory, or a saddle shop. Report on your visit to your counselor.
      Resources:

      • A Random Walk Through Horween Leather (video)