help required to dye leather

[Archy]

I have been given a possibles pouch kit - the giver thought the kit was a dark tan colour and had a pattern on it but when the kit arrived it has a horrid pale tan colour and no pattern the leather is also very stiff, does anyone know of a way I can darken the colour and/or soften the leather?
Any help would be gratefully received
Ta
Archy

 

[baggins]

Hi Archy
You can dye the leather IF it hasn't been treated (ie oiled or waxed) or if it is made from chrome tanned leather.
If it hasn't been treated a cheap way to dye it is to pop into a local shoe repairers and buy some leather dye for shoes. Lightly dampen the pouch, and using a soft cloth, slowly rub the dye into the leather using a circular motion until you get a nice even coverage. Once it is dry you can treat it with a wax/oil mixture (plenty of recipies on here).
If the pouch is already treated, then it could be difficult.
Hope this helps

Baggins

 

[Willderness]

Another alternative is to make a vinegaroon which will give you a black colour. Household ingredients ('free' to make), there are some tutorials on here.

Will

 

[Archy]

Thanks very much for your replies, I'll let you know how I get on

 

[Eric_Methven]

You could give it a going over with neat's foot oil (as you should do anyway). That will darken it a little bit. Then let sunlight do it's work on it. Direct exposure to sunlight will cause the leather to darken naturally to a deep, rich golden tan.

 

[MrEd]

fiebings leather dye works well.

i stained this slip pouch i made

to this darker shade (pouch on the left) with fiebings leather dye medium brown (i gave it 2 coats to get it nioce and dark and rich). got it from bowstock leather supplies. I then waxed and buffed it and its dark and shiny

just watch out with the leather dye, do it outdoors, its stains everything - it even staind my tiled worktop - not the grout but the actual tile