Saddletramp307

Thanks for all the great suggestions, all! I had gotten a swatch sample book from Hide House a few weeks ago, but I think sending them a scrap of the hide is probably the quickest route to getting what I need. I'll give them a call, as well as check out the other suggestions. Thanks again!

I had been getting most of my hides from Sheridan Leather before they closed down (very sad- I loved that little shop), and came across a really incredible hide in their closeout sale (bought it sight unseen with little description, off their Facebook sale for essentially what was described as black garment leather), extremely supple, amazing drape/hand, buttery soft pebble grain, 2-2.5 oz, and label stated it's by a company called "Montebello", out of Italy. I've messaged Sheridan Leather on Facebook, as to where I could find another distributor of the leather, but obviously they're no longer operating so I didn't get a response. I also sent Montebello an email directly, but god knows where that went, as I haven't gotten a response from them either. Long story long: does anyone have any recommendations as to who I could contact to find similar hides? I don't know that it has to be Italian, but the hides I've gotten in attempts to find a match have been subpar, similar weight, but feel like waxy cardboard by comparison (exaggeration, but you get the picture.). Not that it would help, but probably wouldn't hinder, I've included photos of the two purses I made out of the hide.

Hey, thanks so much for the info! I plan on giving artisan a call tomorrow, get the ball rolling. Mum's the word on this convo with ole Jerry ;).

Excellent- thank you for your feedback, very helpful! I think I'll be springing for the additional table attachment.

Art, thank you- and you are absolutely correct. Cobra Class 18 is a flatbed. I got my specs confused bouncing between the class 18 and the class 4. Makes the decision easier now, as I think a cylinder arm is a must for me at this time. I appreciate your input- thank ya much, sir!

Newbie on the block! What an incredible platform for knowledge sharing- so glad I stumbled across it. So, grew up in a leather crafting household- my dad owned a tack company and made everything from chaps to breast collars and headstalls to belts, holsters, etc. He swears by Artisan machines- I was making purses (light to medium weight materials- lamb/pig skin to kangaroo and cowhides combined with fabric liners) a few years ago on a machine that was old (can't recall the brand) and worked alright given that it was free to use. Looking to get back into it and am currently looking at Artisan 335 B (would love a 335 BT because "portable" is very appealing - but not sure if that's just a better idea 'in theory'), and a Cobra Class 18. Both have walking foot cylinder beds, servo motors and compound needle feeds. I'm most likely never going to be sewing anything heavier than a tooled belt and I have a lighter machine for strictly textiles- so I like the range these machines seem to offer. Any advice on factors that give one product line an edge over the other- or just things to consider in general to be an educated consumer- is much appreciated!