Dusting leather?

[singteck]

So there I was in Hermes' website and looking at their stuff. There was a paticular video where a craftman was preparing a piece of red leather to make a pair of glove.

He unrolled the leather and lay it flat on the table. Pulled the leather to stretch it and then he poured some powder onto the leather, spread it all over and then dust everything off.

What did he just do? I have no idea what that was for.

Hope someone can tell me what was that process all about.

Thank you

singteck

[rdb]

I'm not sure what you are describing, but if you post the hyperlink to the movie you watched, maybe one of us could watch it too, and possibly figure it out

[singteck]

I can't link to the movie directly. This is the closes I can get you to.

http://lesailes.hermes.com/gb/en/

singteck

[Kevin]

I'm just guessing, but I would say he's looking for defects that you would not see otherwise. Kevin

[craftsman827]

Cool web site "hermies".

It looks to me that the powder he is using,

is to make the leather move around easy while he is working with it.

Sort of like when a baker uses flower while rolling out dough.

It may also help in stretching out the leather.

Or what Kevin said, about seeing defects easyer.

Edited August 1, 2008 by craftsman827

[TwinOaks]

Interesting video....

just a WAG here, but it looks like the leather is wet, and the powder he's using is maybe cornstarch or talc. This would help dry up some of the excess water, and make it easier for him to hand smooth.

Like I said, WAG

[singteck]

Thank you for the replys. Looks like it's a dying trade if none of us here uses it!!

Cheers

singteck