Uploaded February 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Our Featured Maker Annie Libertini of Libertini Arts is showing us how to make a cat mask out of leather. For all the supplies needed to do this project with Annie Libertini click here; bit.ly/3aIzBjM To learn more about Tandy Leather Featured Makers visit tandyleather.com/maker
FREE PATTERN
tandyleather.com/maker
5-6 OZ. CRAFTSMAN OAK VEG-TAN
99606-02
UTILITY KNIFE
3593-01
SAFETY BEVELER
3001-00
CRAFTOOL® PRO SWIVEL KNIFE
82009-02
CRAFTOOL® MODELING SPOON
8039-01
HAND BURNISHER
3218-00
INSTRUCTIONS
ECO-FLO® WATERSTAIN BLACK
2800-01
ECO-FLO® HI-LITE STAIN SADDLE TAN
2608-05
ANGELUS MICRO DETAIL PAINT BRUSH SET
2812-07
ROTARY PUNCH
3220-00
SPRAY BOTTLE
2089-00
STYLUS
8039-06
ECO-FLO® ACRYLIC PAINT WHITE
2602-08
ECO-FLO® ACRYLIC PAINT YELLOW
2602-07
ECO-FLO® SUPER SHENE
2610-01
GRANGER LACE
5083-
Other supplies needed:
FACE FORM
1. Trace mask pattern on the back (flesh) side of your leather and cut it out. Be particularly careful when cutting the eye holes.
2. Use safety beveler on the back (flesh) side of leather to thin around edges of mask, taking off about half of the thickness.
3. Spray front of mask with water and let the moisture soak in, then use stylus to trace fur pattern onto the mask.
4. Cut in the lines using swivel knife, then trace lines with the stylus to open them up. Use modeling spoon to bevel lines for more dimension.
5. Spray back side of mask with water and let it soak in, then spray lightly on the front side if it has dried out.
6. Lay mask on face form and line up so the eyeholes are over the eyes and it is sitting symmetrically on face. Mold leather to face form until it fits tightly.
7. Curl sides of ears forward to create ear shape. Gently curve back edges of mask. Press sides of mask against sides of face form so that it sits flush
to face and let dry overnight while on face form. Place bunched up paper towel under the back of the ears to keep them from drooping while they dry.
8. Once mask is completely dry, use a detail brush and black waterstain to carefully paint black rings around eyes. Color inner edge of eye hole, and dry to avoid getting dye on back side of the mask.
9. Using a larger brush, dauber, or sponge, apply Hi-lite stain onto front of mask and immediately wipe of the excess with a damp paper towel. Do this in step in sections to get a smooth result.
10. Allow Hi-lite to dry, then use a dry brush technique to apply highlights with acrylic paint. Mix a small amount of yellow with white until it’s a cream color. Use dry 1/2” flat brush to pick up a small amount of the paint, then brush surface of palette to spread paint throughout bristles on both sides. Rub brush against a paper towel to remove excess paint and use light, quick brush strokes to apply highlights in thin layers. Highlight around eyes, inside ears, and along bottom edge of mask.
11. After you are finished coloring mask, allow paint to dry overnight. Once dry, brush or spray on a layer of Super Shene, Resolene, or other acrylic finish to protect your mask. If you are brushing on the finish be very gentle because it can sometimes lift off paint. Also, apply finish to any dyed areas on back side of the mask to seal.
12. Cut ribbons or elastic for ties and tie them into the holes on the sides of mask. If any parts of the mask are not fitting well, carefully dampen the back side of leather and gently press it to your face and adjust the fit, then let it dry completely. Now your cat mask is ready to wear!
Our Featured Maker Annie Libertini of Libertini Arts is showing us how to make a cat mask out of leather. For all the supplies needed to do this project with Annie Libertini click here; bit.ly/3aIzBjM To learn more about Tandy Leather Featured Makers visit tandyleather.com/maker
FREE PATTERN
tandyleather.com/maker
5-6 OZ. CRAFTSMAN OAK VEG-TAN
99606-02
UTILITY KNIFE
3593-01
SAFETY BEVELER
3001-00
CRAFTOOL® PRO SWIVEL KNIFE
82009-02
CRAFTOOL® MODELING SPOON
8039-01
HAND BURNISHER
3218-00
INSTRUCTIONS
ECO-FLO® WATERSTAIN BLACK
2800-01
ECO-FLO® HI-LITE STAIN SADDLE TAN
2608-05
ANGELUS MICRO DETAIL PAINT BRUSH SET
2812-07
ROTARY PUNCH
3220-00
SPRAY BOTTLE
2089-00
STYLUS
8039-06
ECO-FLO® ACRYLIC PAINT WHITE
2602-08
ECO-FLO® ACRYLIC PAINT YELLOW
2602-07
ECO-FLO® SUPER SHENE
2610-01
GRANGER LACE
5083-
Other supplies needed:
FACE FORM
1. Trace mask pattern on the back (flesh) side of your leather and cut it out. Be particularly careful when cutting the eye holes.
2. Use safety beveler on the back (flesh) side of leather to thin around edges of mask, taking off about half of the thickness.
3. Spray front of mask with water and let the moisture soak in, then use stylus to trace fur pattern onto the mask.
4. Cut in the lines using swivel knife, then trace lines with the stylus to open them up. Use modeling spoon to bevel lines for more dimension.
5. Spray back side of mask with water and let it soak in, then spray lightly on the front side if it has dried out.
6. Lay mask on face form and line up so the eyeholes are over the eyes and it is sitting symmetrically on face. Mold leather to face form until it fits tightly.
7. Curl sides of ears forward to create ear shape. Gently curve back edges of mask. Press sides of mask against sides of face form so that it sits flush
to face and let dry overnight while on face form. Place bunched up paper towel under the back of the ears to keep them from drooping while they dry.
8. Once mask is completely dry, use a detail brush and black waterstain to carefully paint black rings around eyes. Color inner edge of eye hole, and dry to avoid getting dye on back side of the mask.
9. Using a larger brush, dauber, or sponge, apply Hi-lite stain onto front of mask and immediately wipe of the excess with a damp paper towel. Do this in step in sections to get a smooth result.
10. Allow Hi-lite to dry, then use a dry brush technique to apply highlights with acrylic paint. Mix a small amount of yellow with white until it’s a cream color. Use dry 1/2” flat brush to pick up a small amount of the paint, then brush surface of palette to spread paint throughout bristles on both sides. Rub brush against a paper towel to remove excess paint and use light, quick brush strokes to apply highlights in thin layers. Highlight around eyes, inside ears, and along bottom edge of mask.
11. After you are finished coloring mask, allow paint to dry overnight. Once dry, brush or spray on a layer of Super Shene, Resolene, or other acrylic finish to protect your mask. If you are brushing on the finish be very gentle because it can sometimes lift off paint. Also, apply finish to any dyed areas on back side of the mask to seal.
12. Cut ribbons or elastic for ties and tie them into the holes on the sides of mask. If any parts of the mask are not fitting well, carefully dampen the back side of leather and gently press it to your face and adjust the fit, then let it dry completely. Now your cat mask is ready to wear!
