Short answer: practice first, then small projects
Scraps are useful. Practice pieces let you test stitching, edges, dye and stamping before you work on the real piece. Once you’re comfortable, offcuts turn into small projects such as keychains, bookmarks and coasters. Sort and store them properly so they stay usable.
Sort your scraps
Sort by tannage first. Veg-tan and chrome-tan behave differently, and they suit different projects. If you can’t tell them apart, see how to identify chrome tanned leather. Then sort by thickness and color. Keep large pieces apart from small offcuts, so the big ones are easy to find. Label any piece you plan to use for dye tests.
Store scraps well
- Store scraps flat or loosely rolled, in bins, drawers or boxes.
- Keep them out of direct sunlight and away from heat. Sun can fade veg-tan and darken it.
- Aim for moderate humidity, roughly 40 to 60 percent. This is an approximate guide. Very dry air dries leather out, and damp air can encourage mold.
- Use breathable storage such as cardboard or cloth. Sealed plastic can trap moisture.
Practice uses
- Saddle stitching. Test stitch spacing, tension and backstitching.
- Edge work. Test sanding, beveling and burnishing on the same kind of edge you’ll use on the project.
- Dye and finish tests. A small piece cut from each project’s hide is useful for testing dye later.
- Stamping and tooling. Practice impressions on veg-tan before you stamp a real piece.
- Snaps and rivets. Test setters and hardware on offcuts first.
- Glue tests. Check the tacky time of contact cement on thin scraps.
Small projects from scraps
- Keychains and key fobs
- Zipper pulls
- Bookmarks and coasters
- Cord wraps
- Card holders
- Patches and earrings
- Herb labels punched with holes and tied with twine
- Napkin rings cut from narrow strips
These are simple items, so they suit a beginner’s practice time. For sizes and weights of the first projects, see good leather projects for beginners.
Workshop uses
Scraps can also make useful shop items: blade guards, chisel covers, mallet faces, non-slip pads, and spacers or welts. Stacked leather washers can make a traditional knife handle.
Disposal and fire
Don’t compost chrome-tan leather, because it contains chromium. Veg-tan breaks down slowly, so it isn’t quick compost either. Don’t burn scraps. Leather smoke contains toxic compounds. Dispose of scraps through your household waste or a local recycling service, following your local rules.
Keep dust and pets away from scraps
Don’t give chrome-tan, dyed or finished scraps to pets as chew toys. When you sand leather, don’t sweep up the dust, because sweeping stirs it into the air. Vacuum it, ideally with a HEPA filter, or wipe it up with a damp cloth. For more on leather dust, see leatherworking safety for beginners.
For first projects, see what are some good leather projects for beginners. For dye and finishing habits, see leatherworking tips. For what to watch for when you’re using up scraps, see common leatherworking mistakes.