I
was custom-dyeing a leather for a job last night, and had dye left over on the
table. So, I decided to record the leather dyeing process that I've developed
over the years. BUT I failed. The lighting in my bindery is awful for taking photos, and the particular place where I dye leather has
the most horrible lighting situation that creates light reflections all over the
leather surface on the pictures. Well, I'll have to figure
out how to deal with the stupid lights in the future. Though it became obvious
that I couldn't record the process, as I didn't wanna waste the dye, I just went
ahead and created some mottled leather pieces for future use. Since I usually
custom dye leather for specific jobs I work on, I don't really have much liberty
to be creative. But because those that I made last night didn't have any
"requirements", I just made them as I felt like it. Anyway, it's very hard to
explain exactly how I dye leather with words because there's not "1,2,3"
instruction to it. All I can say is "Experiment with dye!", and make sure to
treat the leather at the end so that the dye doesn't come off. (Rub the surface
with a dry rug real well, and take off the excess dye, and after it's done, use
a wet rug and rub it. If the dye comes off, it's NOT good. Keep doing the
Dyeing/rubbing until the dye stays, then finish it by putting on the leather
finish so that it's permanent.) Well, just using the leather dye, you can
antique the leather like the ones I've posted on my blog (see the
Custom Leather Dyeing on my label), as well as a marbling effect (top middle and
two left pictures) or even
Pasta Española effect easily without
using acid. (the top left & right). All dyed leather pieces on this post
were created with the tan kidskin. (pictured on the right, second from the top.)
Make sure to test the color on the leather before dyeing because the color you
see in the dye gets dramatically different when it's applied on the leather.
Anyway, have fun creating textures!
I
was custom-dyeing a leather for a job last night, and had dye left over on the
table. So, I decided to record the leather dyeing process that I've developed
over the years. BUT I failed. The lighting in my bindery is awful for taking photos, and the particular place where I dye leather has
the most horrible lighting situation that creates light reflections all over the
leather surface on the pictures. Well, I'll have to figure
out how to deal with the stupid lights in the future. Though it became obvious
that I couldn't record the process, as I didn't wanna waste the dye, I just went
ahead and created some mottled leather pieces for future use. Since I usually
custom dye leather for specific jobs I work on, I don't really have much liberty
to be creative. But because those that I made last night didn't have any
"requirements", I just made them as I felt like it. Anyway, it's very hard to
explain exactly how I dye leather with words because there's not "1,2,3"
instruction to it. All I can say is "Experiment with dye!", and make sure to
treat the leather at the end so that the dye doesn't come off. (Rub the surface
with a dry rug real well, and take off the excess dye, and after it's done, use
a wet rug and rub it. If the dye comes off, it's NOT good. Keep doing the
Dyeing/rubbing until the dye stays, then finish it by putting on the leather
finish so that it's permanent.) Well, just using the leather dye, you can
antique the leather like the ones I've posted on my blog (see the Custom Leather Dyeing on my label), as well as a marbling effect (top middle and
two left pictures) or even Pasta Española effect easily without
using acid. (the top left & right). All dyed leather pieces on this post
were created with the tan kidskin. (pictured on the right, second from the top.)
Make sure to test the color on the leather before dyeing because the color you
see in the dye gets dramatically different when it's applied on the leather.
Anyway, have fun creating textures! 
Nice work...
ReplyDeleteThanks Jacek. Getting a compliment from you is such an honor. (blush*)
DeleteWow, these are wonderful. The variety of textures and colors that you can obtain is amazing. Thank you for sharing your dyeing process and for taking photos during it. I am curious about how to do this properly since so long. Can I ask you a few questions :) What kind of dyes are you using, are they vegetable, or aniline? Do you degrease the surface or make any special treatment to the leather before you apply them? Thanks a lot for giving an insight into how to fixate the dye because that is indeed a big issue. In my experience I could never succeed to fixate it 100%. Some amount would still come off when rubbing if the surface is wet. And unfortunately I even worked with commercially dyed leathers that are losing color. So it is a problem. When you refer to apply a leather finish so that the dye is permanent, what kind of finish is it? And does it change the shine of the surface?
ReplyDeletePS: I love the clay cups that you keep your dye in!
Love the finishes on your leather, just beautiful. Could you please forward me that email on the process too! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteHello Jonathon,
DeleteIf I remember correctly, I didn't write down the exact process of my method of mottling leather that you might be expecting on the e-mail because there isn't really a 1.2.3 instruction that I can explain with words, really... Well, if you ever get a chance to visit the United States, (looks like you are from Australia?), let me know. I'll tell you where I work, and if the time is right, you may be able to see me working on one!
I love your work. Do you know if there is some book where I can learn how to dye leather. I would like to bind my books with leather like yours. Thank you. mpasquali@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHello Pasqua,
DeleteUnfortunately, I don't know any commercially available book that has the instruction on the traditional bookbinding leather dying. That's why I've developed my own method over the years.
Teo, a bookbinder from Portugal, has told me that she was taught one of the bookbinding leather dyeing method, Pasta Española from a master in person. If you like the dyeing effect, contact her through her site. :-) Her site is teostudio.blogspot.com
Thank you very much, I'll try. Please, when possible, could you post a video of you dyeing?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your videos, they are great. I have learned a lot from you.
Hi,MHR
ReplyDeleteI hope you are back from your vacation:)
I am so fascinated by your dyeing effect!And I am a little confused about how different dyeing style came out?
Such as,motting effect is created by dabbing dye on the leather using a sponge(I found it on youtube,didn't know wether it is correct.).
I have also seen some leather cover which has small dots on it which gave the leather a unique textile(do this effect have a name?).And I have no idea how the marbling effect is created.
Do the diffrent effects caused mainly by different tools? I mean ,if I use different tools such as sponge,brushes...,could I create many different patterns on the leather?
huhu:)
Hey Huhu,
DeleteWe came back from Canada last Friday, but I must leave for Portland area tomorrow for another week. I've been under stress to get as much jobs done for the last few days, so I just got your message. I'll get back to you about it when I get back next week.
Love your blog. I was wondering if there is a certain process that defines leather as bookbinding leather as opposed to garment leather. How would you choose leather to bind with?
ReplyDeleteI was looking for marble effect on leather and.. Yours is the most beautiful.I really want to learn how to make it !
ReplyDeleteAnd I looked at your other restauration jobs... You're doing so well.
It's so bad that you coulnd't record your process : (
I see that you can't explain it as "1, 2, 3", but any help could be so kind for me...
I hope you will be able to explain a little.
Thanks a lot
Well, all I can suggest is to play with what's available to you in terms of materials. ;-)
DeleteYour mottling effects are stunning! May I ask which brand of dyes you prefer? I'm excited to start playing around. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. Luxury leather goods factory Spain
ReplyDeleteI like this post, which I came across looking for more information about decorative leather effects. I have images of a few historical examples of a technique that seems to involve crazing or creasing the leather as well as mottling with dye but I can't attach them here. I am trying to discover the name and provenance of this technique. If you are interested or can help please email and I will send images.
ReplyDeleteLeather furniture can add a touch of luxury and sophistication to any home or office. However, over time, even the most durable leather sofas and chairs can show signs of wear and tear, from scratches and scuffs to dirt and discoloration. That’s where professional leather repair and sofa cleaning services come in. In this blog post, we’ll explore how these services can help restore the beauty and comfort of your leather furniture.
ReplyDelete