Finding leather

[Quandaryangels]

Not sure if this is the proper place to put this topic, but, does anyone in the UK know where to get leather, whether hides or offcuts, whether a local store somewhere, or other?

QA

[Narsil]

In the UK http://www.leprevo.co.uk/ is a good source for all things leather related including tools and consumables as well as the leather and fittings themselves.

If you know what you need then ebay can be a good source for smaller bits and offcuts at a decent price but obviouly customer service is a bit more hit and miss there.

this page gives an overview of the various types available. http://www.leprevo.co.uk/hides.htm

Bear in mind that the tanning process is important, for craft projects veg tanned is usually the best bet, it's better quality and can be tooled, embossed and wet-formed.

[Captain Morgan Arkwright]

In the UK http://www.leprevo.co.uk/ is a good source for all things leather related including tools and consumables as well as the leather and fittings themselves.

If you know what you need then ebay can be a good source for smaller bits and offcuts at a decent price

this page gives an overview of the various types available. http://www.leprevo.co.uk/hides.htm

Bear in mind that the tanning process is important, for craft projects veg tanned is usually the best bet, it's better quality and can be tooled, embossed and wet-formed.

This, Le Prevo is a FANTASTIC shop, all you'll need and have a wonderful order service!

Also, damn you for Narsil for ninja'ing me so damn quickly!

Regards,
Captain Morgan Arkwright.

[Quandaryangels]

Thank you so much, it's exactly what I've been looking for.


QA

[Dr cornelius quack]

And, if you ever get the chance, visit the shop. It's in Newcastle, in the Chinatown area and is worth it just for the smell.

[Captain Morgan Arkwright]

And, if you ever get the chance, visit the shop. It's in Newcastle, in the Chinatown area and is worth it just for the smell.

Is it wrong that I completely expected this to be followed up by a pub guide for the area? 

Planning a visit m'self soon, need to go down to pick up some decent veg tan and some tools.... at least on a day when I'm not working, 

Regards,
Captain Morgan Arkwright.

[Dr cornelius quack]

If you insist!!

My recommendation for a drink in Newcastle would be The Cumberland Arms in Byker.
Not immediately close by, but worth the walk.

[Quandaryangels]

Now this I love, not only leather suppliers, but information on pubs as well. Magic.

QA

[Renegade]

If you can spare a day in November, this is good:
http://www.reenactorsmarket.co.uk/

You can examine the leather in your hands before buying, and possibly a few props too (take plenty of cash though, the ATMs charge a fortune). If there are local historical re-eenactors of any periods, its worth speaking to them as leather is a huge resource for us.

[Quandaryangels]

If you can spare a day in November, this is good:
http://www.reenactorsmarket.co.uk/

You can examine the leather in your hands before buying, and possibly a few props too (take plenty of cash though, the ATMs charge a fortune). If there are local historical re-eenactors of any periods, its worth speaking to them as leather is a huge resource for us.

My lord, that is perfect, spending most of the year in Birmingham this would be so good. Hurrah.

QA

[Captain Shipton Bellinger]

I might as well put a plug in for the International Living History Fair too...

[Renegade]

If you know anyone wanting a cowskin, I've got a dozen left I need to shift for £160 each too 

[Jedediah Solomon]

It may seem rather beneath one of your status in life but for myself, I have found leather on Spring Cleanup days on the roadsides of some better neighbourhoods when they tire of their cast-off sofa or chair. The rawhide products from older furniture is great to work with, or try the leatherette automotive seats for something less durable but a variety of colours is available at your local wrecking yard.

[Fenwick Tesla-Smythe]

If you're in the kind the place that has back alleys and such, it is worth wondering about to look for dumped leather sofas.  If it's in not too bad state you can strip it and sell the excess on ebay...

[frances]

I've just bought a bag of cast-offs from a leather worker at a folk festival.  Carrier-bag full for about £1.

Charity shops sell old leather jackets a lot.

[sebastian Inkerman]

Keith Lyons is always good for veg-tan (I won't go anywhere else for mine). He can normally be seen frequenting TORM (The original re-enactors market) in coventry as well as a number of re-enactment and LRP events throughout the year.

[Herr Wolf]

Does anyone know of any good sources for leather in the States?  How about any laser-cutting services for said leather?

~W

[Wilhelm Smydle]

Let me check my Rolodex...

Weaver leather, Tandy, brettuns village, seigles of CA,
Zackwhite.com are some of the big ones.
Craigslist can be useful for upholstery leather.
If your in the buffalo NY area go to Stefan's leather on mail st.
The shop has a very steam punk feel and has been in business sence 1851.
Spotted pony traders and real leather people are great to deal with.

Moscow hide and fur is another useful seller specializing in hides, furs, bone, horn, and antlers.

you can try eBay but its a crap shoot.

[Fat Spider]

Depends on what you want the leather for, looking at the prices of offcuts I think your often better off visiting a Charity Shop (or Thrift Store to those not loyal to King George ) ....and buying an old leather jacket or handbag, then cutting it up for the bits you need .

[fungus34]

Macpherson Leather in Seattle is great. I've bought leather there for steampunk projects and metal bits for electronic projects. You can order from their site: http://www.macphersonleather.com/

[ktara]

Another thought for everyone, no matter where you are.  Thrift (charity) shops.  I found a nice suede jacket and leather coat at mine for $10 each, and since they didn't fit, I'm using the pieces for other things. 

[VonDan]

E bay and Mail order for leather can get spendy and then shipping and you do not have the option to see it in hand before you buy it. 

Look in the phone book and see if there is a leather supply

Call a local shoe repair and ask if they get leather from an unlisted local supplier

upholstery supply stores also carry leather 

A lot of craft stores sell leather in small amounts but again that is spendy $10 to $15 a pound.



I now have two leather supply stores near me but don't like to pay $10 a pound or up to $7 a sq foot. So i hunt up other sources

Shops that do upholstery work might have left overs to sell.  This includes auto upholstery and custom trailer and bus makers

As Above said old leather furniture

Also old leather cloths at the thrift store and see if they have a damaged jacket bin

Check your local craigslist in the arts and craft

[Professor J. Cogsworthy]

I am entering the discussion late but it would be easier to answer the where question if you had said what you where planning at the start....


( now I will go back and re-read and see that you had mentioned the what afterall )

[davidsims]

Not sure if this is the proper place to put this topic, but, does anyone in the UK know where to get leather, whether hides or offcuts, whether a local store somewhere, or other?

QA

You've probably found a supplier by now, if not there's a supplier in the UK (Somerset) for leather hides and all other things leather related. See link below.

http://www.pittardsleather.co.uk/leather-skins-and-hides/c29

[sebastian Inkerman]

I just wish there was a place a little closer to me in the East  Midlands that didn't begin with a T and end in Andy: the most expensive leather suppliers in the UK!