Hello,
I'm new here! I started leather working about 4 years ago - I make handbags. For the most part I use 3-5oz leather - mostly upholstery hides, and have just started using some thicker oil tanned leathers and some vegetable tanned leathers. Until recently, I have always lined my bags, but lately I have been wanting to make some that are unlined. What is the best way to stop the flesh/suede side of the leather from shedding? I have been looking online for a long time for recommendations for this, but I never really get any good answers. Is there some kind of finish I can apply to flatten the fibers? I've tried to skive some pieces before but that doesn't really work well for softer upholstery leathers. I've wondered if a sander would help, but I'm not sure. Is there a different type of leather I should be using for these types of projects?
On the same line, what is the best way to finish edges for non-vegetable tanned leathers to keep them from shedding? I've seen some bags in stores that seem to have a raw seam that has been coated in a wax or something similar - yet I can't find anything about it anywhere! Any help would be appreciated! This seems like such a simple question, so I feel like there must be something I'm missing.
Thanks,
Julia
