Cutting leather is super easy with the right tools. It can seem pretty daunting if you're trying to go at it with a pair of scissors, though.

In this instructable I'll show you how to cut both thick and thin leathers, and give some tips on how to get the best cut. :)

Check out my other leather ibles for more leatherworking basics:

Step 1: What You'll Need

self healing cutting mat
hobby knife with a sharp blade
rotary cutter
heavy ruler
leather for cutting

It's good to have all of these things in your crafting arsenal anyway - I can't tell you how many times I bring out the cutting mat and ruler every week :D

While you can definitely use scissors to cut leather, it's not ideal. On thin leather you might not get a nice straight cut because you cut line can move a little every time you move the scissors to take another snip. On thick leather, you might not be able to cut it at all. And even if you do, you'll have to use more force than normal, which can cause jagged and squished edges. (And perhaps break your scissors!)

Step 2: Before You Cut

Depending on what you're cutting out, you might want to lay it out and mark it on the leather beforehand.

For example, if you're cutting out a wallet that has multiple pieces, it can be a good idea to scope out the grain side of the leather and find a nice area with no major imperfections. Then flip the leather over, copy the pattern using a pen on the flesh side, and cut it out from that.

If you don't want to mark up the leather with a pen, the other option is to cut the pattern out of thin plastic or cardboard and use those edges as a guide for cutting.

Making a stiff pattern/template is especially good if your pattern includes curves.

I've found that it's easier to cut on the grain side, but you can absolutely cut from the flesh side - you just have to be patient and take it slow since it's a rougher cutting area. :)

Step 3: Cutting Thin Leather

Cutting thin leather (1 mm thickness or less) is best done using a rotary cutter. Because it's thin and more fragile, using a hobby knife can pull and crease the leather as you try to drag the knife across it. The leather's much more prone to moving, so it's harder to get a straight crisp line.

Using a rotary cutter allows you to apply even pressure on a larger area. Just make sure the blade is nice and sharp so you don't have to do a ton of passes.

Lay the leather down so the grain side is facing up. Place a ruler on top and use the edge of the ruler as your cutting guide. Make sure to keep the rotary cutter right against the edge of the ruler for best results. :D

Step 4: Cutting Thick Leather

Thick leather is much easier! All you really need is a nice ruler and a hobby knife.

Lay the leather down grain side up and place the ruler on top. Use the edge as a cutting line again - just drag the hobby knife along the cut line gently.

You'll want to make lots of small passes if the leather is especially thick. Keep the ruler stationary at all times and make sure you're keeping the knife's edge up against the ruler.

It normally takes between 2-4 passes to totally cut through.