Leather jacket patches project advice and input pls

[Brettafett]

I am planning to finally get around to making a couple of my own leather squadron patches.

I assume horse, cow and goat would be the most authentic leather to use?
Anyone know where to get some off-cuts approx 8" diameter?

 

[Bombing IP]

When I was making patches I contacted John Chapman of Good Wear he would make up a box of what I needed and ship it to me for a nominal fee .Better leather will not be found and he has a ton of waste leather .This would be also useful to craft makers as the pieces he sent me were quite big . I am sure he can hook you up .

BIP

 

[Bombing IP]

I would stay with cow or horsehide as it so much flatter and will show the design off better .Goatskin too pebbly ,in my opinion .

BIP

 

[Brettafett]

Totally agree about goat...
Yes, I considered contacting John, not sure he'll respond though.
Thanks!

 

[Bombing IP]

Hi tell John your on the VLJ and Jeff Wyman sent you he will hook you up .Let me know what happens .

Rgds jeff

 

[ausreenactor]

Make sure it is supple/pliable. Rigid circle on a much loved A-2 will look mighty strange. Detracting from your efforts and hard work.

Or you could just use a printer!

 

[ties70]

Totally agree about goat...
Yes, I considered contacting John, not sure he'll respond though.
Thanks!

Brett,

actually....goat is my personal choice and I never had problems with the pebble. Nevertheless, I hardly use tanned leather, almost always the natural hides...

If the hides are too rigid, I roll them in different directions before cutting out the patch. It brings out the grain, without getting all pebbly, and softens the leather. So when I start, the leather looks like this...

Smooth enough to paint, plus heavily diluted paint sips into the surface and adds more structure.

I have leather from JC as well, but frankly I hardly use it...and if, only after I have worked the surface with acetone or even sanded the top finish off...

Best regards and I am curious about your first patches!

Ties

 

[Brettafett]

Thanks all, probably going to take some time.
Need to get some bits together.... Appreciate all the advice.

Ties, that goat looks great.
I guess I have been eyeing the traditional pebbly bits, or super 'handbag' type stuff.

 

[ties70]

Brett, that's what I suspected... the hide in the photo is from a tannery in India (RAUF), was purchased from my usual source in Hamburg and cost me roughly 25 GBP. Obviously, there are a lot of patches in one hide.

I might have found a new source here in Spain, with an online shop....let me get back to you tomorrow.

Ties

 

[Brettafett]

Thanks, appreciate it.

 

[ausreenactor]

Brett, that's what I suspected... the hide in the photo is from a tannery in India (RAUF), was purchased from my usual source in Hamburg and cost me roughly 25 GBP. Obviously, there are a lot of patches in one hide.

I might have found a new source here in Spain, with an online shop....let me get back to you tomorrow.

Ties

Onya Ties! Class act...

 

[Flightengineer]

Brett, I painted all my patches on cow hide. Soft, elastic, and good texture. I still have a lot of scraps. In fact, the main thing, as said here, is the flexibility for the patch, the type of leather is not very important.