All leather to be used in Modelling Leaves, Flowers, &c., must be first wetted, and modelled while wet; and as this is a general rule, the student will understand that mention of the necessity of this operation will not in every instance be repeated.
Amongst the many uses to which Leather Work is applied, that of ornamenting Pulpits will be found a capital field for the display of this art, as it is capable of being moulded into any form, and nothing can possibly have a more substantial and beautiful appearance.
Glasses of varied form, as jelly glasses and old-fashioned goblets, as well as many of modern manufacture, can be covered on the outside with Leather Work. Lilies of the Valley, and other such flowers, being trailed round a groundwork of leaves, and being either gilded or stained, look exceedingly well; and as they are capable of holding water, become really useful as well as ornamental articles for bouquets of flowers.
Fire-screens and scroll work are executed exactly in the same manner, as described in the following pages, for frames. Fire-screens are generally filled with Berlin wool, or some other fancy work. Those who would prefer to have an entire piece of Leather Work, can paint landscapes or flowers upon white leather, using the same medium which is used at the School of Design for body colour painting, mixed with finely powdered colours.
Gold Leather Work looks remarkably well upon a blue or crimson velvet ground, and makes very rich frames, fire screens, &c. When tastefully arranged, the flowers and leaves upon these grounds have a very magnificent appearance.
Amongst the numerous articles which admit of being ornamented with leather, may be enumerated frames, brackets, vases, pole and hand screens, card plates and racks, music and watch stands.
Revell’s Complete Guide to Ornamental Leather Work.
_The principal Materials required for this work are_--
Basil Leather. Skiver ditto. A Bottle of Oak Varnish Stain. Ditto Spirit Stain. Ditto Shaw’s Liquid Glue. A Bottle of Stiffening. A Small Hammer. A few Brushes. Some Tacks. A pair of Nippers. A Veining Tool. A few hard Steel Pens. Bradawl. Pair of Scissors. A Leather-cutting Knife. Grape Moulds. Ditto for Passion Flowers. Fine Black Lead Pencil.