How to Choose the Right Leather/Cork/Vinyl For Your Project

[@peggybray5450]

I have sewn leather , vinyl and cork my favorite is vinyl and cork. I do have an industrial walking foot machine. Thanks so much for the information you gave

[@luvnotvideos]

I've been working with leather for a while now and wanted to add a few quick notes with this choice: There are 2 classes of leather that can be used for bag making - vegetable tanned and chrome tanned. Both are suitable, but have very different characteristics and will require different finishing depending on your item. Leather thickness is traditionally measured in "ounces", though many vendors now offer the thickness measurements in mm on their webpage. In general, 2oz is 1/32in or 0.8mm ... 4oz is 1/16in or 1.6mm ... 6oz is 3/32in or 2.4mm. The 2oz is considered "garment weight" and can be turned like fabric. Commercial bags typically use 3-4oz leather, but the edges are skived to allow them to be turned. You will not want to use anything greater than 6 ounces, will need an industrial machine, and the edges will be unturned, but may be treated with edge-coat for a more finished look. Vegetable tanned leather is processed with natural materials. It's typically used by crafters who "carve" intricate decorations into the surface, or may be embossed using wet presses. It takes dye beautifully. Most vegetable tanned leathers are very firm, unless they are milled, but the firmness allows it to conform to whatever it's holding, earning a nice patina with age. Only use this if you're going to stain and carve in a decoration, or are willing to put in extra work to condition and protect the leather before selling the item. Chrome tanned leather is processed specifically to be more weather resistant and easier to clean, and comes pre-dyed. This type of leather is used in furniture and car upholstery, commercial bags and coat creation, and the hides are skived to a very consistent thickness. Garment weight (2oz) will go through any home machine. Goat is usually very soft and perfect for padded wallets. Pigskin is very strong, is usually sold as a suede, and comes in a huge variety of colors. Upholstery leather offers the most variety and is perfect for most of what we do, but you'll need to hand-crank through more than 2 layers, or use a heavy-duty machine. There's a ton more information, but this is already too long. Hopefully, it is enough to help anyone interested in using leather for their bags.

[@LindsHandmadeDesigns]

Thank you for taking the time to type all of that out! Excellent info. 👌🏻

[@SmartRob]

Glad to find you, nice video. I am a leather bag snob. I just started making bags again and I am amazed at all the new materials available. Cork, waxed cotton, vinyl. I love using lambskin leather for bags.

[@susanfinn7653]

Thank you!!! I have not ventured into vinyl yet!

[@suerush704]

Thanks girly, i literally JUST before watching this video tore a bag (Cotton Lola) it was very cute but I JUST CANT MAKE COTTON LOOK RIGHT....I tried it all....the good woven fuse, the foam & structure out the waaaazoooo! Still didnt work for me...never has. I see Alot of beautiful bags made with Cotton & Im so envious 😮 amazed i guess, just not my thang! 😂 Thanks for the video sure made me feel better about my dead Lola.....😅

[@liliaboylan3244]

Thank very much for the information ❤️

[@edithconde8084]

Great information, Thank you

[@Jaded6911]

This was helpful. Thank you

[@ellenbritton1540]

Thank you 😊

[@elainefagin513]

This was great! Thank you.

[@Karen626]

Very useful video! Thanks so much. I don't like using quilt cotton for bags either, and finding your patterns helped me to move away from it. When it comes to vinyl, I prefer polyester-based fabric. I greatly appreciate shops who let us know if their fabric is made from polyester or PVC.

[@LindsHandmadeDesigns]

The more descriptive they can be in their listing the better if I can’t see/feel it myself before buying!

[@madelinevelazquez7891]

Thank you. This was great.

[@dympnatierney564]

Thank you Lindsay

[@LindsHandmadeDesigns]

You’re welcome!

[@jillbruce3624]

Thanks. Very helpful.

[@CraftyCopley]

Thank you!

[@heatherhowlett9163]

Great explanation! Thanks 😊

[@SewSeatheWorld]

Thank you, this was so helpful!

[@maryellenryan4641]

Great info!❤️

[@cynforrest]

Good info. Thanks

[@renatearneson7520]

Fantastic 🎉 Thank you for this! I love the Plaid vinyl from the beginning of the video. Where can I find that?

[@LindsHandmadeDesigns]

I tried to find it to link directly to it for my video but I’m guessing it’s out of stock. It’s from here: itgscustomfabric.com

[@faykohlhagen2285]

Great tutorial Lindsay! 🙌

[@LindsHandmadeDesigns]

Thank you!! 😁

[@sutela2060]

Thank you so much❤ very useful video for me❤

[@LindsHandmadeDesigns]

I'm so glad!

[@helgaedmondson5899]

You are so right on the layer. I never order leather online. I have to feel it.

[@helgaedmondson5899]

Leather....not layer. Lol

[@LindsHandmadeDesigns]

I’m fluent in autocorrect. I knew what you meant 😉

[@ginaogle]

Great information. Veg tan was not what I thought at all! Jelly vinyl seems to be a term I’m seeing a lot, but have no idea what it is.

[@SewSeatheWorld]

It is a very thin and flexible vinyl, typically transparent even in darker colors. No interfaced backing at all on it like a typical vinyl would have. It truly reminds me of the feel of top part of “jelly shoes” if you ever had a pair of those.

[@LindsHandmadeDesigns]

Exactly what Melissa said!

[@ginaogle]

@@SewSeatheWorld very helpful! Thank you!!

[@aftertheheadlines]

Informative presentation. I have been sewing for decades and never heard the term temper. You mentioned you like to touch your vinyl before purchasing. I cannot find a local vendor selling vinyl. I plan to go to the LA Fashion district to see what is there in the way of vinyl. I do buy from vendors via FB then their website. You mentioned one vendor, but I not sure who it is? Thanks! Thanks!

[@LindsHandmadeDesigns]

The 3 vinyls from the same vendor I mentioned is Backstitch fabrics. I’m also a huge fan of MyPunkBroidery for vinyls as well.

[@roxannericchio3556]

Thank you for this information. So many times I have chosen the wrong vinyl for a bag and ending up with problems finishing the bag. Do you recommend fusing SF 101 on a vinyl that has stretch or will it end up being to thick do make straps or a recessed zipper panel?

[@LindsHandmadeDesigns]

Honestly I have my vinyls in different categories, and only use the right weight vinyl for the right project. I typically try to avoid buying vinyls that have stretch and a lot of drape if I can help it. I’ll only use those for specific projects that would need to be lightweight. I would add a light weight interfacing to prevent stretch but only if I absolutely HAD to use that vinyl for my project. Otherwise I’d avoid it and choose something else honestly.

[@dianepayne480]

I made the mistake of buying some very soft kidlike vinyl with which I would like to make a small bag. What interfacing would you suggest using to stabilize and eliminate stretch and stiffen. It is really soft. Thank you Thinking an H2O 2GO if possible.

[@LindsHandmadeDesigns]

Maybe try a small sample piece interfaced with sf 101 (or any brand woven interfacing) and see how you like it. That will take the stretch out but still keep it easy to work with.

[@dianepayne480]

@@LindsHandmadeDesigns Thanks, Lindsay. I tried a small piece with SF101 as well as fusible fleece and the fleece seems to do the job.

[@mrsqt25802]

Where do you purchase the cork from?

[@LindsHandmadeDesigns]

Honestly I really don’t use cork that much. I’ve had this stone colored cork in my stash for a few years now and I can’t recall where I’ve gotten it. I have ordered from farbricfunhouse.com in the past and love their cork.

[@roxanacardoza2325]

What is the name of the company you said that vinyl was from?

[@LindsHandmadeDesigns]

Backstitchfabrics (Prints side. They have 3 headquarters offering different bases)

[@epicuregal785]

thank you for calling it like it is - VINYL.