Leather Types
Color catches the eye first, but it shouldn't be your first decision. The animal determines hide size, thickness, and grain pattern: cowhide is versatile, calfskin has a finer hand, goatskin is thin yet tough, and ostrich is unmistakable. Choosing the right leather from the start saves you from reworking patterns after cutting.
Large hides, dense and thick fiber structure, high tensile strength. Suitable for belts, bases, bag straps, and structured goods. The large hide size lets you cut long patterns without piecing.
Calfskin has finer fibers and is thinner than cowhide, with an even surface and fewer marks. Suitable for small leather goods, wallets, notebook covers, and areas requiring thin folded edges. The trade-off is smaller hides and higher prices.
Lightweight and thin, yet surprisingly tough thanks to tightly interwoven fibers. Natural fine pebbled grain, soft in the hand. Commonly used for linings, slim wallets, and items that need to be light yet durable.
Instantly recognizable by the raised round bumps—feather follicles concentrated only on the back, so each hide has only one "quilled" area. Soft, supple, and very durable.