Materials
Leather
First of all - for those who care about our planet as well as I do - leather is a secondary product (waste) of meat industry. All
leather hides are different. This makes leather products look unique
and one of a kind. Leather surface (especially full grain leather which I prefer) can have scars, insect bites or scratches. It is natural for any leather hide and I
do not want to avoid them (unless they are extremely big, of course) These small imperfections can give a product its own perfect characteristics and unique natural
look. I offer simple, vintage-like, rustic but still elegant products for
any occasion.
Leather looks much better over years of wearing and do not be scared if the item slightly changes the colour or gets little darker. This is called patina and it is natural result of aging which keeps any vegetable tanned leather product beautiful over years.
I use vegetable tanned leather of highest quality preferably from famous Italian tanneries located and clustered in Tuscany area as a Vegetable Tanned Leather Consortium. This Consortium guarantees traditional manufacturing processes compatible with the ecosystem and not harmful to people.
I can also dye natural veg tan leather from local resources based on your request using professional, non-toxic, environment friendly leather dyes, oils and waxes.
In case the requested leather is not available some other or similar leather can be suggested. Availability of leather depends on demand and supply. Sometimes it takes a little more time (week or two) until a leather is delivered to me.
Leather options
![](https://7153141262.clvaw-cdnwnd.com/2def3242bb796878bba3304e18ba52ce/200000239-4384c4384e/Brown%20leather.png?ph=7153141262)
...several shades of brown... (Italian veg tanned leather from Il Ponte and Carlo Badalassi)
![](https://7153141262.clvaw-cdnwnd.com/2def3242bb796878bba3304e18ba52ce/200000242-e5fe5e5fe7/Leather%20Blue.png?ph=7153141262)
...from olive green to blue... (Italian veg tanned leather from Il Ponte and Carlo Badalassi)
some more examples...
...other options
...of course, we can discuss some more options... please do not hesitate to ask via contact form bellow or click HERE.
Hand dying options:
![English bridle](https://7153141262.clvaw-cdnwnd.com/2def3242bb796878bba3304e18ba52ce/200000287-070a4070a6/IMG_8580.jpg?ph=7153141262)
![Light Brown with Chocolate Patina](https://7153141262.clvaw-cdnwnd.com/2def3242bb796878bba3304e18ba52ce/200000298-183c4183c6/DSC09473-4.jpg?ph=7153141262)
![Light Brown & Dark Brown](https://7153141262.clvaw-cdnwnd.com/2def3242bb796878bba3304e18ba52ce/200000288-4316243164/IMG_7694-4.jpg?ph=7153141262)
IMPORTANT: Please understand that each leather hide has different characteristics (temper, density of fibers etc.) so it may happen that colours after hand dying can be slightly different (maybe little darker) as shown in the pictures (Black stays always black :-) ). On the other hand the final product will be unique and nobody will have the same one. The dyeing technique I use makes cloudy, non uniform effect of the colour which gives the product very nice vintage look.
Threads
I use waxed nylon or linen threads.
![](https://7153141262.clvaw-cdnwnd.com/2def3242bb796878bba3304e18ba52ce/200000299-abf3aabf3d/Threads_colours%20%282%29-4.png?ph=7153141262)
Buckles
Tools
...here is what I use:
Hand stitching
The saddle stitching is an "old school", the strongest, the most secure and the most durable way of sewing leather. It is much more elegant way of sewing than lock stitching made by sewing machine. It takes a little longer to complete the product with hands but I am convinced that all that waiting pays off.
![](https://7153141262.clvaw-cdnwnd.com/2def3242bb796878bba3304e18ba52ce/200000333-8f93c8f93e/IMG_9702.jpg?ph=7153141262)
Contact:
info@rusticolusleather.com