A TinkerCAD beginner tries making leathercraft patterns with a 3D printer

I had been thinking for a while that it would be convenient if I could make leathercraft patterns using a 3D printer.

Paper patterns get damaged after repeated use, and making multiple copies of the same shape is a bit tedious.

So, this time, I designed a coin purse pattern in TinkerCAD and 3D printed it to create the item.

TinkerCAD for absolute beginners

Actually, this was almost my first time using TinkerCAD.

At first, I had no idea how to operate it, so I watched YouTube tutorial videos over and over, trying things out and starting over one step at a time.

I thought things like, 'So this is what happens when I move this,' and 'This is how you use this feature.'

Learning little by little like that, I managed to complete the pattern data.

It might be a simple task for someone used to CAD, but for me, it was a project that required quite a lot of effort.

3D printing the pattern

Here is the finished data printed on a 3D printer.

I made the pattern with some thickness, so it's easy to handle and doesn't slip on the leather.

Furthermore, this time I also made a jig for attaching the zipper.

Cutting the leather went pretty well

When I placed the pattern on the leather and cut it, I was able to cut it more cleanly than usual.

Since it's sturdier than a paper pattern, it doesn't lose its shape, and it seems like I'll be able to make the same shape as many times as I want.

I felt like, 'This might actually be useful.'

The finished product was a bit disappointing...

Here is the completed coin purse.

Actually, my sewing machine was acting up this time, so the stitching didn't turn out very clean.

However, thanks to the pattern, cutting out the leather was very smooth.

Because of that, I feel confident about the pattern design itself.

Reflections on the process

What I felt once again this time is,

that 3D printers can be used not only to make "finished products" but also to make "tools for creating products."

I felt that being able to design my own patterns and jigs would dramatically expand the possibilities of leathercraft.

Of course, there are still many things I want to improve.

Conclusion

Since I was an absolute beginner at TinkerCAD, it was truly a series of trial and error.

I watched YouTube videos over and over again, and there were many times when I thought "I did it!" only to fail and have to start over.

Even so, it was a very happy experience to see the pattern I designed take shape from the 3D printer and to actually be able to make a leather product using that pattern.

The finished product isn't perfect, but the fact that I was able to do leathercraft using a pattern designed in CAD is my biggest takeaway this time.

I plan to continue studying CAD and 3D printing little by little, and keep making patterns and jigs that are useful for leathercraft.