1:9 scale tooling basics with Erin Corbett

Saturday at BreyerWest is workshop day. I signed up for two classes, the first of which was 1:9 Scale Leather Tooling with Erin Corbett.

I shared a table with Anna Helt of Dreamflite Designs. It was my first time meeting her, and she was every bit as nice as I expected.

Here's a look at the supplies that came with the workshop: water, a tooling template, tracing film, tooling leather, cutting mat and various tools including a mechanical pencil, X-acto knife with a #11 blade, paintbrush, seeder and ball stylus.

I brought my visor because I am blind. Tara decorated it for me with washi tape.

Stylish!

photo by Lindsay Diamond

Here's a quick overview of the tooling process. The first step is to trace the tooling pattern onto the tracing film.

Wet the leather with the paintbrush.

Then place the tracing film onto the leather, and using the stylus, trace over the pattern so that it imprints onto the leather. 

Rewet the leather often. This is called "casing" and is essential part of the tooling process.

Next, lightly cut into the impressions with the X-acto knife. 

Finally, press the stylus along one side of the cuts to push down the background and lift up the tooling design.

The not-so-unexpected star of the class was Jennifer Scott.

This was her first time doing any kind of leather craft and look! Is there anything Jenn can't do?

Next up: Hair Sculpting with Amanda Brock.