Wet Formed Leather Arm Guards - Part 2

Take your custom leather forms from Part 1 and turn them into a finished project. In Part 2, Chuck Dorsett demonstrates how to wet form vegetable-tanned leather, create dimensional overlays and build them into a pair of custom leather arm guards. This project covers leather selection, wet forming, cutting, edging, punching, dyeing, finishing, sewing and lacing, giving you techniques you can carry into plenty of future leathercraft projects.

What You’ll Learn

How to choose the right leather weight for wet forming
How to wet form leather by hand
How to create better definition without excessive tool marks
How to prepare and finish leather edges
How to dye and finish vegetable-tanned leather
How to attach and sew a formed leather overlay
How to lace and finish a leather arm guard
How to use custom forms to add dimension to future leather projects

Before You Begin

This project builds on the custom wet-forming forms created in Part 1. If you haven’t made your forms yet, start there before moving into the finished arm guard project.

Part 1: Create the custom forms

Part 2: Wet form the leather and build the arm guards

Materials and Tools

Arm Guard Project Pack

The Arm Guard Project Pack provides the foundation for this build, including leather, lace and several tools and finishing supplies you can continue using on future projects.

Leather

Veg Tanned Leather Belly

An economical option for smaller wet-formed pieces and overlays.

Veg Tanned Single Shoulder

A versatile option available in multiple leather weights for projects large and small.

Step 1: Cut the Wet Forming Leather

For the formed overlays, Chuck uses lighter 3 to 4 oz. vegetable-tanned leather. The lighter weight allows the leather to conform more closely to the custom form and capture the smaller details of the design.
Cut the overlay pieces with enough extra leather around the perimeter to give yourself room to work.

Step 2: Wet Form the Leather

Thoroughly wet the vegetable-tanned leather and let it rest for about 15 minutes so the moisture can move evenly through the fibers.
Place the leather over the form and begin working it into the design with your hands. Take your time. Repeated passes help build definition while reducing the chance of unwanted tool marks.

A bone folder, rounded strip of leather or smooth dowel can help work the leather into tighter areas.

Step 3: Let the Formed Leather Dry

Once you’ve developed the shape, leave the leather in place and allow it to dry completely.
Chuck recommends at least 12 hours.
The leather will retain the dimensional shape as it dries.

Step 4: Prepare the Arm Guard Bodies

Transfer the arm guard pattern to the heavier vegetable-tanned leather.
Cut the pieces, round the corners and mark the lace holes.
Add a decorative groove around the perimeter, then bevel both sides of the edge to begin creating a smooth, rounded profile.

Step 5: Punch and Burnish

Punch the lace holes with a round drive punch.
Lightly dampen the beveled edges and work them with a leather slicker. This begins rounding and smoothing the edge before dye and finish are applied.

Step 6: Trim the Formed Overlays

Once dry, remove the wet-formed leather from the forms.
Trim each overlay to its final size, round the corners and add a decorative groove around the edge.
Lightly bevel the edges to clean up the finished piece.

Step 7: Dye the Leather

Chuck uses red Fiebing’s Pro Dye on the dimensional overlays and black Pro Dye on the main arm guard bodies.
Apply the dye evenly and allow the pieces to dry thoroughly before moving on to the finish.

Step 8: Apply the Finish

Apply Bee Natural RTC with a clean cloth.
The finish helps bring out the color and gives the leather a more complete, polished appearance.
Buff with a clean cloth after the finish begins to dry.

Step 9: Finish the Edges

Return to the edges of the main arm guard bodies with the leather slicker.
A few additional passes help refine the rounded edge and create a smoother finished surface.

Step 10: Attach and Sew the Overlays

Use narrow double-sided adhesive tape to hold each formed overlay in position.
The overlays can be hand sewn, or you can use a leather sewing machine such as the Master Tool Cub.
Follow the groove around the overlay for a clean, consistent stitch line.

Step 11: Lace the Arm Guards

Start lacing at the wrist and work upward.
This keeps any extra lace toward the top of the arm rather than near the hand. Tie off the ends, adjust the fit and your wet-formed leather arm guards are ready to wear.