leather

[Auryn]

I was hoping for a little illumination.
Currently in the planning stages of work on a costume for dragon con and need to purchase leather.
I was hoping someone could enlighten me on the terminology.

I know what veg tanned leather is- the pure hide I use for tooling, pauldrons, armor etc.
Splits are the soft suede on suede leather.
I know what patent leather is.
I am looking for the thin and malleable leather that is suede on one side and has a nice smooth finish on the other side with minimal grain, I know I want deerskin but I don't want the double suede leather, it needs to have the smooth 'shiny' side.

thanks.

[Nighthawk]

You're looking for chromium tanned garment leather I think.

[Auryn]

thanks nighthawk

apparently the hardest part of my request is the color.
You would think more places would have red leather of some shade or other.

They have metallic lavander and sparkley lime green leather but no red

[Rani Zemirah]

Auryn, if you can't find the red, but still want to do something in leather... I just so happen to have 5 half hides of 3.5-4 oz. top grain Italian Satin finish in a gorgeous Espresso that I could part with (out of 9 that I ordered recently).  It's just a tiny bit thicker than the super-thin garment weight leather, but it would hold up for years, and not lose it's shape.  I hope you find your red, though, because the outfit you're planning is amazing!  If you can't, though, I would be happy to send you a small sample of what I have, and if you like it I'm sure we could work out a fair deal, since I found it for a pretty decent price.  Just something to keep in mind... 

[NoBill Lurker]

Don't forget to check out eBay as you can pick up more variety of colours and sizes, plus maybe save a bit of cash at the same time...

[Auryn]

Thanks for the tip Rani, I will keep that in mind.

I actually found a couple of pieces I like on ebay but this is the question that I have
they are listed as upholstery leather but they are described as 2.4oz/ 0.8-1mm thick,
isn't that the thickness of garment leather??

I am not looking for the paper thin kinda leather (like they make garment splits out of)- thats too fragile
what do u think?

[jeremiah sullivan]

If you want deer skin leather then that is what you ask for, the color is another thing. try to find a color that you like and then call the hide house in cal. they have everything you will need... and if you need anything just call I have bend goin leather for about 20 years.J&L Trading Co.

[Auryn]

im not hellbent on it has to be deerskin, that was just the easiest way for me to describe the texture of the leather I am looking for.

I found a beautiful lambskin online but it says the thickness is 0.7mm, wondering if that is TOO thin.

Oh and I don't really have a lot of wiggle room on the color as I am working on a Mord Sith outfit and they are known for their blood red leather. I couldnt really make a camel colord mord-sith outfit, wouldn't really translate.

[Elennare]

... I am working on a Mord Sith outfit ...

Fun! 

I was going to tell you that I've found bright red leather at Jo Ann's, but it was in WAY too small pieces to make something like that out of.  It was the perfect size for wrapping a sword handle, though.

The reason I'm posting what probably appears to be useless info, though, is that what they did have was made by Tandy Leather.  Have you checked their website?  Since they sell smaller pieces in red, maybe they'll also have larger pieces for sale?

[Rani Zemirah]

I think it needs to be pretty dark red, doesn't it?  Like really dark blood...

[Auryn]

Elennare, there is never useless information.
I am actually planning on booking it early from work so I can make it to Tandy in time before they close at 6 today. I want to handle the different thicknesses of leather so I can decide what I want, I'm going to take my caliper with me too.
I used to have a gauge to measure leather in ounces but I can;t seem to remember where I put it.

The color I have found that matches closest to what I want is called oxblood red. I am open to most shades of red just not like patent leather red or lipstick red.
If it makes you think of a fire engine, its too bright .
In the books they are often described as if they had been dipped in a vat of blood.

I think I found a couple on ebay that will work, I just want to go to the store to double check the thickness.

[Auryn]

Just got home from Tandy,
long story short I will probably not be shopping there with any frequency like I used to.
The new manager is a D^&%%^$ss and apparently they are now not allowed to buy odd lots from other tanneries as Tandy ceos want to have full control of inventory.
So if its not in the catalog they cant get it and they can't order it.

All the best pieces I bought there were from odd lots not from Tandy stock- well at least this saves me the 40 min drive each way, and anyway I have found better prices online

Off to ebay I go