Members ScottEnglish Posted January 5, 2020 Members Report Posted January 5, 2020 Hello again. Having met with an encouraging response to my first topic I thought I'd ask another question that I can't find an answer to. I'm going to buy some chrome tanned leather for making my first pair of shoes. However, I don't which hide part to purchase. Does it matter? Thanks. Scott Quote
Members ScottEnglish Posted January 5, 2020 Author Members Report Posted January 5, 2020 (edited) Oops. Looks like I have finally found the answer myself. One seller is recommending a side with a smooth finish as being suitable for footwear. Any advice will still be appreciated though. Bye for now. Scott Edited January 5, 2020 by ScottEnglish Language baffles me Quote
alexitbe Posted January 5, 2020 Report Posted January 5, 2020 The leather should be between 1-1.5mm thick for shoe uppers... Typically 1.2 mm is used.... There is the expression that the leather should be tight to the toe, which I believe means that the stretch on the leather should be across the shoe and not along the length of the shoe. So lay your vamp and quarters on the leather with this in mind.... However, I have seen old pictures of laying out the pieces on a hide and they haven't followed that rule.... So take that for what its worth.. Alex Quote
Members Aven Posted January 5, 2020 Members Report Posted January 5, 2020 If you are making moccasins, you'll need something with a soft hand like bison and relatively thick, around 8oz. If you are making something more structured, contact Nstarleather and see what he has available that will work for you. Understand that the stuff he offers is overage he gets when he buys lots for his business. He offers the overage, extra to us at a more than reasonable rate than we can get retail. https://leatherworker.net/forum/topic/83215-haas-tanneries-large-scrap/ You can also check with Maverick Leather or Hide House. Hide House is in Nappa. Quote
Members ScottEnglish Posted March 23, 2020 Author Members Report Posted March 23, 2020 Well, I decided not to proceed with making a pair of shoes of moccasin construction but to begin with a pair of moccasin slippers instead. For varied reasons I've been delayed in making a start and am only now ready to cut out the pattern in leather. I've encountered a problem though with the side of leather. I don't know which part is the belly! Not having a camera or phone I can't take a photo so I'll describe it as best I can. The side is approximately 5 feet square. Three of the edges are fairly straight. The other edge is wavy with two eye shaped holes. The edge that is straight and opposite the wavy edge has its corners mitred several inches in. Which side is the belly? By the way, I'm thinking of using some of the belly leather for insoles for the slippers. They'll be glued in so hopefully won't stretch. What do folk think of this idea? Is it good or bad? Thanks. Scott Quote
Members chrisash Posted March 23, 2020 Members Report Posted March 23, 2020 If you have a side of leather then you would normally have the leather cut straight along the back, so its safe to assume the opposite to the straight edge is the belly, normally it will have some stretch marks, Unfortunately without seeing the leather no one can say 100% Quote Mi omputer is ot ood at speeling , it's not me
Contributing Member LatigoAmigo Posted March 23, 2020 Contributing Member Report Posted March 23, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, ScottEnglish said: Which side is the belly? Most likely the side with the wavy edge. Edited March 23, 2020 by LatigoAmigo Quote
Members ScottEnglish Posted March 23, 2020 Author Members Report Posted March 23, 2020 Thank you chrisash and LatigoAmigo for your replies. Your agreeing about which edge of the side is the belly edge gives me confidence to start cutting leather. I'll unroll the side shortly and check for stretch marks too for further confirmation. Quote
Members ScottEnglish Posted March 23, 2020 Author Members Report Posted March 23, 2020 Any thoughts on using belly leather for insoles? Quote
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