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Many thanks to everybody for all the valuable tips and explanations. I think I understand the differences and the different ways of using dyes much better now. I have tried the dip dye method on a piece of scrap leather as well as the dry technique suggested by aksprince. Looks like both work well, at least much better than my attempts using a dauber ;-) I will keep practicing. I also got some alcohol to dillute the dye - I guess that´s how it´s supposed to be done? One question that remains is: should I or do I have to "prepare" the leather in any way? Should a finish or anything alike be applied first and THEN the dye or antique or whatever? Or does any kind of coloring go directly onto the leather? Btw, I am a "she" :D (need to check if I really missed to mention in my profile) Julia

Thanks again to everybody. TwinOaks, with "traditional" I was refering to every way of dyeing that doesn't use "modern" equipment like compressors . However, I guess you got me convinced that using airbrush is just another way of applying dye ... and probably one that is worth trying. So I have to learn even more - dyeing with brush, dauber, sheep skin, whatever ... AND airbrushing! I read that the dye should be dilluted - using what and how much of it? I also still don't understand the differences when it comes to dyes. Acrylic, water stain, antique paste ... what is used for what? Or is it just a matter of personal preference? Many, many thanks for all the tips and opinions and most of all for making me reconsider my attitudes and my way of thinking. I guess sometimes we (at least I) just tend to think too much "inside the box" ... thanks for giving me a push ;-)

Thanks for the advice everyone! Only I don´t have airbrush equipment and to be honest, I´d rather learn how to do it the "traditional" way - but properly. Isn´t there one of the old hands that could tell me how to do it? Or does anybody know any video tutorial that can do the job? Thanks again ...

Dwight, thanks for your reply. Only I don't know what "dip dyeing" is (it sounds like you dip the leather into the dye? Sorry, I'm not a native speaker)... And should the leather be prepared in any way? Do the colors need dilluting? If so, with what? And if I DON'T want an even coat, but some shades? Still sooo many questions ...

Hi everybody, I'm relatively new to leatherwork and am really getting frustrated. I just can't manage to get an even coloring on my projects. I've tried antique paste and am now experimenting with some colors of which I think they are acrylic - got them from a Taiwanese lady. But whatever I do, the result is some blotched, stained, blurry (more frustration - I don't even know the correct word ) ugly surface. I guess I need some basic information on how to do the dyeing thing correctly. I must have missed out one or more steps ... So here are my basic questions: - do I have to prepare the leather in any way and if, in which (applying anything before dyeing)? - how do I apply the color properly? I have used wool dauber and piece of cloth and cotton wool, but none of it is really convincing. - if using acrylic colors, do I need to mix them with anything? I remember the Taiwanese lady doing so, but I don't know what it was. - how to avoid getting a darker spot/blotch when I first start to apply the color? I probably forgot to post some questions that would have been necessary to ask, but I guess you got the idea - I just can't do it properly. So any tips, advice, tutorials, ... are really, really highly appreciated before frustration leads me to some silly actions Thanks! PS: I have attached a picture of the Taiwanese dye the lady gave me. Can anybody tell me what kind of dye it is? I can't read Taiwanese, but maybe someone here can tell by how it looks?

I am "semi-new" to leatherwork - that means I did some work several years ago but then stopped. Now I would like to get back into it. I took an intensive weekend class several years ago and found it most helpful so I would like to do something like that again. I am living in Malaysia but are planning a short trip to Australia somewhen between Dec. 21 and January 6th. I thought it would be just great if I could find somebody experienced in Australia who gives classes or would be willing to teach me some important skills. Although I totally agree with "practice makes perfect" I also think that people can save a lot of time (and money) if they don´t have to reinvent the wheel all over again ;-) So if anybody in Australia feels like working with me or anybody knows anybody in Australia who ... please, please let me know. Would be just great! Thanks, Julia

Thank you, Vianeth. I will check out the videos on Tandy's website. Of course dyes are used to change the color ... ;-) As you said, that is self explanatory. I was just wondering what are the differences between what is called dyes and acrylics and all the other "colors" ... However, I think I start getting the idea. Thanks again!

Hi everybody, as an almost newbie in leatherwork I am not really sure what all the different dyes and colors are used for and how. For example, at Tandy they have Eco Flo Leather Dye and Eco Flo Cova Color, Gel Antique and Hi-Lite Stain and All-in-One Stain and Finish and ... To me, that is kind of overwhelming and I don´t know which one I should use for what purpose and/or what are the differences ... Could anybody help me here and give me some first ideas about coloring tooled leather, about finish and all that stuff? Thanks a lot ... if I know what to order, I can finally get started again Julia

Thanks for all the replies. So it seems everybody agrees that it does not work without any plexi, packing tape or whatever? I´d like to try the tape - but living in Malaysia might make that the most complicated part ... I guess it´s impossible to find any high quality tape ;-). I already have to tape my packages for Germany with bits and straps and pieces because it never comes off the roll in one piece. Anyway, thanks again ... now the only other part giving me headache is the proper casing - I never get it done properly :-( Julia

Hi all, I am quite a beginner in leatherwork (started a couple of years ago, but then paused for a very long time) and now want to get back into it. I have done some practice pieces and found that the leather stretches/widens when it is being tooled. I can´t remember that my bigger pieces did that when I made them long time ago. Anyway, somebody gave me the advice to glue the leather to a piece of an x-ray photograph using rubber cement to prevent the leather from widening. Seems logical, but I am wondering: if my work takes longer and needs to be dampened once in a while, I should do that from both sides, right? How to do that when it is glued to something??? Thanks for any help and advice, Julia

Hi to everyone, I am Julia, originally from Germany, but currently living in Malaysia. I did some leatherwork before, but that was several years ago and I sure hope that I will finally find the time to get back to this great hobby. I recently managed to get all my tools and stuff from Germany - now I only need to find out if there is any supplier for leather around here. If there is anybody who knows about resources in Malaysia (Penang), I would be happy about some tips. Hoping to find a lot of new and interesting people/ideas/contacts ... here. Julia