Have you ever wished you could create your own leather patterns, templates, molds, stamps, or workshop jigs, but assumed CAD and 3D printing were too complicated to learn? This workshop is designed specifically for leather crafters with absolutely no prior experience.
We’ll start from the very beginning. What is CAD? How does 3D printing work? What software do you need, and what does it cost to get started? Through hands-on demonstrations and practical examples, you’ll learn how to create simple digital designs and turn them into physical objects using a 3D printer.
The focus will be on real-world leatherworking applications, including pattern templates, corner guides, stitching aids, molds, and other useful shop accessories. Along the way, we’ll discuss equipment options, software choices, common mistakes, and how to get started without spending a fortune.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll understand the complete workflow from idea to finished print, and you’ll have the knowledge needed to begin designing and producing your own custom templates and tools. No technical background is required, just curiosity and a willingness to learn.
Basil Cleveland is a co-founder and Executive Vice President of Shorelight, an education company focused on expanding opportunities for international students, and president and co-founder of the Boston Leather Guild, a community of makers dedicated to learning, sharing skills, and advancing the craft of leatherwork. A lifelong enthusiast for technology, making, and the intersection between the two, Basil is also a co-founder of Artisans Repair Club, a volunteer organization that uses 3D printing, microprocessors, and other adaptive technologies to solve practical problems for people in assisted-living communities. His own leatherwork frequently draws on digital fabrication, and he especially enjoys finding ways that tools like CAD and 3D printing can supplement traditional crafting methods
