Shoemakingbook.com - Learn to make shoes by hand.  Ron Edwards, Leatherwork and Plaiting © Tim Skyrme 2010 Leatherwork Books - by Ron Edwards If you want to learn to plait, or knot, make whips, saddles, dog leads or fancy belts, these books will give you detailed instructions  on how to do it with lots of images of each step in the process to make learning easy. Ron is well known in Australian leatherworking circles and his images are drawn as the project progresses. Mouseover books to see contents. A book for the complete beginner. Tells how to buy leather, basic tools needed, how to apply designs, colour work, and simple lacing techniques. A few easy projects complete with full directions, plus a 20 page section of traceable designs. The first book of its type published in Australia. 64 pages, 180 drawings. #1Beginning Leatherwork - by Ron Edwards #2 The Secret Plait - by Ron Edwards Seems impossible - a plait made in the middle of a strap without cutting the ends!   20 pages, 85 drawings. #3 Leather Lacing Manual - by Ron Edwards Step-by-step instructions on all popular lacing techniques, Whip Stitch,  Wide Whip, Mummy Wrapping, Back Whip, Cross Stitch, Round Braid, Single  Cordover, Double and Triple Cordovers, Lazy S, Dot Stitch, Baggin's  Stitch. 20 pages, 127 drawings. #4 Stockman’s Plaited Belts - by Ron Edwards The most popular bushie belt is made of plaited kangaroo lace. Detailed instructions on making plaited belts from 8 to 16 strands. Illustrated methods of creating various patterns and forming of a crocodile ridge down the belt centre.  28 pages, 90 drawings. #5 Braided Belts - by Ron Edwards Plus How To Make A Snakewhip. Transforming plain leather belts into valuable attractive items by adding braiding. Techniques are simple and easy to learn, including how to make a flexible snakewhip. 20 pages, 138 drawings. #6 Plaits Round and Flat - by Ron Edwards All basic, flat (3-20 strands) and round plaits (3-12 strands). 32 pages, 445 drawings Includes a dog lead #11 Saddle Repairs - Ron Edwards Explains common repairs for Australian stock saddles. Repairing panels, replacing girth straps, replacing sweat flaps, replacing seat, fixing loose seat, sewing seat to panel. 20 pages, 35 drawings. #12 Whipmaking, Book One - by Ron Edwards Plain instructions on how to make a 4 and 6 plait redhide or greenhide whip, the common stockwhip of the bush. Each step is clearly illustrated, how to form the belly, plait the whip, attach the fall and cracker, and make the handle. Diagrams for 6,8, and 12 plaits are also illustrated. 24 pages, 80 drawings. #13 Whipmaking, Book 2 - by Ron Edwards Kangaroo hide stockwhips for those who have already mastered plain stockwhips. A longer book with detailed instructions for the plaiting of the highly favoured traditional kangaroo hide stockwhip.   32 pages, 192 drawings #14 Whip Handles - by Ron Edwards Not intended for beginners, but for those who can make a plain whip and now want to work some patterns into the handle. Most of the designs are for 12 to 16 strands, but will adapt to a greater number of strands once some skill has been gained. Also contains plans for a whip handle clamp and stitching tool. 32 pages, 45 drawings. #15 Plaiting Names in Whips and Other Leather Projects - by Ron Edwards Tells how to plait names in whips in the traditional method. Also explains how to do chain braid, sawtooth braid, 8 strand centre-weave, Lee’s plait, repairing a broken whip, repairing a broken whip keeper and a tying hitich for a whip.   28 pages and 157 drawings. #16 Turk’s Heads - by Ron Edwards A favourite knot amongst whipmakers and sailors, being both useful and decorative.   Used on whip handles, knife handles, as a belt keeper and as decoration on any round object. This book presents the most common and useful of these knots, with step-by-step instructions. 36 pages, 406 drawings. #17 Crocodile Ridge Belts - by Ron Edwards Contains a number of methods of plaiting crocodile ridges in kangaroo hide belts. It begins with 8 strand belts with a single centre ridge and then goes on to 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 18 plaits.   14 strand double row, 6 strand triple row and 24 strand triple row are also explained.   28 pages, 150 drawings. #20 Leather Projects 1 - by Ron Edwards This book gives full instructions for twelve new plaiting projects, and is intended for the more advanced student. It gives five belt styles, three pocket knife pouches, two sheaths for sheath knives and a pen pouch. 32 pages, 127 drawings. #21 Leather Projects 2 - by Ron Edwards Though intended for experienced plaiters, a beginner will find itstrongs of interest here. Information on plaiting names into whips/belts, a new type of crocodile ridge for both the belt centre and edges, unusual ways of fastening a whip fall, plus a section on the repairing of whips and how to make a pair of plaiting pliers. 28 pages, 130 drawings. The goanna neck plait, Aztec buttons, Headhunter's knot, Fishscale braid, Scobie hitch, Tile pattern hat band, some more useful Turk's-heads, Hugo's False Crocodile plait and others. 32 pages, 250 drawings. #23 Leather Projects 4 - By Ron Edwards With two novelties - a small leather kangaroo and a horse head-shaped can cooler. Also instructions for a magic wallet, a headstall with fiador knot, a plaited lead, monkey chain lanyard knot, scout coil and the Idiot's Delight. 32 pages, 160 drawings #24 Leather Projects 5 - by Ron Edwards #26 Leather Projects 6 - by Ron Edwards Interesting projects for beginners and experts. A mixture of plaiting and stitched projects, providing enough variety for everyone - hats, belts, bags, even a star in lace. 32 pages #28 How to Make a Six Inch Saddle - by Ron Edwards Gives full patterns and instructions for making a tiny Australian stock saddle, the perfect thing for a trophy or present. Can be made with scraps of leather at almost no cost, and can be made by a beginner. 24 pages, 57 illustrations. #29 Simplified Turk’s Heads - by Ron Edwards This book contains all that is needed to learn the tecniques then the rest of the book consists of examples to show how the method works for different sorts of knots. This method reduces the process down to a few rules that can be learned in a very short time. 28 pages, 196 drawings. The title comes from a neat belt plait that is a relative of another plait known as the Brown Snake.  A new heel knot is also explained and also a couple of attractive Box Patterns for the worker who likes a challenge. 36 pages, 250 illustrations. #30 Little Snake Plaits - by Ron Edwards