Braiding Fine Leather: Techniques of the Australian Whipmakers

In this book, David Morgan, the expert who made the whips for the Indiana Jones movies, shows how to braid simple projects quickly. With close attention to detail and a little practice using the methods described here, novices can produce attractive and enduring items from precut lace or a skin or side of leather. Braiding Fine Leather was written to help the beginning braider acquire basic skills. After completing some simple projects that can be done well at an early stage, the braider will develop the confidence to attempt more involved types of braided work, from handsome clothing accessories to practical livestock-handling gear. The book begins with an overview of materials, tools, and fundamental braiding methods. Then seven projects are presented, each adding something new to the skills already practiced. Photographs taken in sequence are used to illustrate the instructions, giving the new braider a close-up look at each step in the braiding process. The techniques used in this book come from those developed in Australian whipmaking shops, which are well-recognized for the high quality of their work. The craft had been carried to Australia by thongmakers from England, who were familiar with the thongs used on finely braided carriage whips. Kangaroo leather, one of the finest leathers available for braiding, provided the material for high-quality work, and a large and discriminating market in Australia led to highly refined techniques. Providing complete, straightforward instructions and close-up photographs showing each step in the process, David Morgan has created an excellent book for those who want to learn to braid leather.