What Kind Of Backing Is Used On This Caiman Skin Purse?

[Shavonne]

Hi Everyone,

I'm working on my first leather project, a clutch purse.

What type of leather is backed onto the caiman skin (see pics below)in order to make this purse of a stiff construction?

I've purchased a piece caiman skin and it's not that thick. It seems as if the caiman is sewn onto the top of another piece of leather with the edges burnished, polished, and/or painted to join both pieces of leather as one. I'm no expert, but this is my guess. Any ideas? (I wasn't sure where to post my question as I'm still new at this).

http://i45.photobuck...0Vera/croc1.jpg

http://i45.photobuck...0Vera/croc2.jpg

http://i45.photobuck...0Vera/croc5.jpg

http://i45.photobuck...0Vera/croc7.jpg

http://i45.photobuck...0Vera/croc7.jpg

http://i45.photobuck...0Vera/croc9.jpg

Thank you,

Shavonne

[BillB]

Shavonne,

The outside leather is either crocodile or simulated crocodile. In some areas crocodile is a protected animal and having the hide is illegal so simulated crocodile is used. The inside leather looks like fine quality suede. The one question you asked about stiffening the sides may have nothing to do with the type of leather use. There are a number of products one can by for the purpose of stiffening. This is usually a special paper product similar to thick poster board but made for this purpose. Tandy sells their version. It is intended to go between the outer layer, in this case the crocodile and the inner liner. So lets take the purse that is in your pictures. There are two large pieces of leather that make of the outer shell (crocodile) and the inner liner of suede. The inner liner needs to be thin and flexible so that it can be on the inside of the curves that form the bottom and the fold at the top. Two stiffeners to three stiffeners would be used, one on the front side above the curve at the bottom, one on the back side between the curve at the bottom and the curve at the top and one in the flap. Since there are all ready two pieces that will will be sewn together (outer shell and liner) the edges will have to be finished using a number of techniques to give the finished look and cover up the number of layers so the edge does not look like a piece of plywood. Just remember that any pockets that are sewn onto the liner will have to be done prior to attaching that sub-assembly to the outer shell.

I hope this helps.

BillB