Jackets, skirts, pants, handbags, wallets, belts and pillows are all suitable projects for working with leather. Look for patterns that have small pattern pieces. Smaller pattern pieces make better use of the skin and as a result end up saving money. For jackets, princess seam lines and waist seams create smaller pattern pieces. Gored skirts and pants with added seams just above the knee work well too.

Handbag pattern pieces are relatively small and make good use of a skin. For beginners, simple handbags, belts and pillows are excellent projects to start with, since they don't require much fitting. Prepare the pattern by cutting all pattern pieces out of heavy paper, and duplicate pattern pieces that are marked as "Cut 2". Mark each pattern piece to indicate which side faces up.