getting the 2 different veg tanned color pieces to match

[beltbuckles]

so i have a few different pieces of veg tanned leather. they are different ounces in thickness for different parts of the bag that i am making.. however, the color is different.. different shades of the pale (undyed) color.  so how could i get them to match if i don't want to dye the bag a color, just keep it the pale (undyed) color... i heard leave it in the sun ( some parts that need to be darker)    also conditioning,, but i don't want to condition one part and not the other.. any advice?

 

Edited October 10, 2017 by beltbuckles

[Mattsbagger]

Put some neetsfoot oil on the lighter piece and put it in the sun. It will tan just like you would.lol

[TheCyberwolfe]

If you want a very close color match for undyed leather, it all has to come from the same hide since each cow will have a slightly different color just like people do. This is where owning a leather splitter comes in handy, so you can take a thick hide and split down certain sections as needed.

If you go the conditioner/oil and sunlight exposure route, be aware that you may get the pieces to match to start with, but age and additional exposure will darken the leather further, and each piece will likely darken at different rates so some months down the road the pieces likely won't match again. Leaving a project natural is always an experiment in aging and color change.

[beltbuckles]

20 hours ago, Mattsbagger said:

Put some neetsfoot oil on the lighter piece and put it in the sun. It will tan just like you would.lol

i may have to try leaving it in the sun

8 hours ago, TheCyberwolfe said:

If you want a very close color match for undyed leather, it all has to come from the same hide since each cow will have a slightly different color just like people do. This is where owning a leather splitter comes in handy, so you can take a thick hide and split down certain sections as needed.

If you go the conditioner/oil and sunlight exposure route, be aware that you may get the pieces to match to start with, but age and additional exposure will darken the leather further, and each piece will likely darken at different rates so some months down the road the pieces likely won't match again. Leaving a project natural is always an experiment in aging and color change.

i see your point.. how hard is it to dye something?  how much time does it take?

[Mattsbagger]

Dyeing is a relatively quick process. You just have to figure out what color and dye you want to use. Check out the dyeing sub forum and you can get most of your questions answered there.