3 Pros and Cons You Must Know Before Buying DIY Leather Kits

Are you considering diving into the world of DIY leather crafting? Investing in a DIY leather kit can be an exciting venture, but it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. Here are three critical advantages and disadvantages you should know before buying a DIY leather kit.

Cons:

1. Appears Expensive

At first glance, DIY leather kits may seem pricey. You might wonder why you should spend over double the cost of a single leather hide or a tool when you can buy them separately for much less. For instance, buying a single piece of leather might cost $50, but a complete DIY LEATHER BAG KIT - BEGINNER could cost over $100. This price difference can be off-putting for those new to leather crafting or on a budget.

2. Long Waiting Time

Patience is a virtue, especially in the world of DIY leather crafting. If you only purchase a pattern, the digital version pattern is available for immediate download, while the physical cardboard pattern takes about 15-20 days to arrive. If you opt for a full DIY advanced kit, expect a waiting time of 20-30 days. This delay can be frustrating, especially if you’re eager to start your project immediately.

3. Limited Learning with Beginner Kits

DIY beginner kits are perfect for urgent gifts but fall short in teaching the intricacies of leather crafting. The investment, usually under $100, often leads to similar results regardless of the user's skill level.

On the other hand, DIY advanced kits, featuring large bags and more complex projects, are not ideal for first-timers. Without prior experience, following the tutorial might not yield satisfactory results. Beginners are better off starting with small leather items to practice basic skills such as cutting, gluing, stitching, and edge finishing. Mastering these basics on smaller projects is cost-effective and provides quicker results, typically within a week to a month. Only after these skills are honed should one advance to larger bags, which generally take about a week to complete well but require repeated practice for perfection.

Here's a rough estimate of the initial investment:

• First month:
  • Novice set: $99-$229

• Second month:
  • Basic tool kit: $59.99
  • DIY leather bag kit (e.g., Sellier Birkin 25 inspired bag): $279-$425
  • Additional recommended tools:
    • Stitching pony: $35.90
    • Electric creaser: $549
    • Leather cutting knife: $35
    • Leather roller: from $33.5
    • Double-sided tape: $15
    • Zipper pliers: $12
    • Awl set: $38.5

This brings the total investment to around $1000-$1500.

Pros:

1. Saves Effort in Sourcing Materials

One significant advantage of DIY leather kits is the convenience they offer in sourcing materials. These kits come with leather pieces of varying thicknesses and supportive materials, with some edges already skived to the optimal thickness using an 801 leather skiving machine. This ensures the finished product has excellent form and detailed craftsmanship without the hassle of finding and preparing each material yourself.

2. Cost-Effective in the Long Run

While it might seem cheaper to buy leather and materials separately, DIY kits can save you money in the long run. For example, crafting an outer-sewn Birkin 25 requires 6 sqft of outer leather and 5 sqft of inner leather, involving over five different thicknesses and materials (Click here for reference about the tutorial). Purchasing each thickness of leather separately, along with considering waste and only using the best parts, can quickly exceed the cost of a kit. Moreover, DIY kits save you the labor costs of cutting and skiving the leather yourself.

3. Free Tutorials

Another significant benefit is the inclusion of free tutorials with DIY leather kits. Purchasing patterns and hardware alone doesn’t provide guidance, but DIY kits come with comprehensive tutorials. If you plan to make more leather products in the future, consider joining our leather craft course. With over 100 free tutorials and the opportunity to participate in our development plans, you can help design patterns for styles you love.

Now, are you clearer on whether a DIY leather kit is right for you?

If you're interested in further exploring the difference between DIY beginner leather bag kit and DIY advanced leather bag kit, click here for details.