Vegetable Tanned Leather Wavyness?

[rpfkov]

Hello,

I am new to leatherwork. I am working on a small project for which I purchased a 2-3 oz vegetable tanned side. I am making what is basically a large wallet with two extra flaps that act as pockets.

I cut out a small piece for the first pocket to experiment with and have suntanned it, used pure neatsfoot oil to darken it further and then applied Tandy conditioner. It is feeling quite supple, but I am having a problem with it. When I cut the piece, it was not perfectly flat. It had a bit of slight wavyness so would not lay exactly flat. I assumed that when I had finished with the sun, oil and conditioner it would behave. I put it under a stack of books and when I took it out it appeared flat, but the next day is was slightly wavy again. Not as much, but it was still there.

Help?

[Tommy217xxx]

I'm also very new but I would maybe try a wet the leather then rub it with your hands.

[rpfkov]

Thanks, I tried that. It worked while it was wet but then it came back once it was completely dry.

[Tree Reaper]

Belly leather will do that, what part of the side did you take it from?

[rpfkov]

Hi,

I did take it fromt he belly as I was experimenting with sun and oil etc. and I did not want to use the premium part of the side for that. Is there any way to save the piece or will it keep it's shape no matter what?

Thanks

Edited March 29, 2014 by rpfkov

[Tree Reaper]

If you can glue a backing like suede to it then it will lay flat but if you flex it then the surface of the leather will likely wrinkle although it will remain attached to the backing, it will be surface wrinkles that you see.

If you want premium results always use premium leather, some places will cut the belly off if you request it.

If they don't cut it off then you pay for it.

[rpfkov]

Hi,

Thanks for taking the time to answer. I have the nice bend area for my actual project, I just took this piece from the belly for experimenting with the sun and oil etc. I just hate to waste anything so I was wondering if I was missing anything in getting it to "behave". I'm sure I won't have the same problem with the bend area.

Thanks

[Tree Reaper]

You're welcome, some people won't take two seconds to even say thank you.

[rpfkov]

I hope you won't mind one more newbie question. I am making something similar to the notebook cover in the second photo. I need to cut two pieces from the bend area that will be stitched back to back and have to fold over. May I ask, which direction in the hide is it better to cut the pieces if they are going to fold? Perpendicular to where the spine of the cow would be, or parallel?

Edited March 29, 2014 by rpfkov

[Tree Reaper]

I always try and go with the natural curve of the hide on the animal.