Make the most of good leather.
A smaller project can make use of leather that is unsuitable for a large one. We choose the useful areas and prepare them for their next purpose.
Good leather, put to good use.
We want more people to discover leathercraft. We make it easier to start with prepared kits, useful projects and real leather from Scottish tanneries.
At the workbench.
Preparing leather for its next project.Squares of Leather, Scotland
A side project with a practical purpose.
Squares of Leather started as a side project for Harry, with a simple idea: find a good use for Scottish leather that was not being put to work.
A tannery trial, a surplus hide or a piece with an awkward mark may not suit the job it was originally made for. A hole can rule out a large upholstery panel, while leaving plenty of leather for smaller projects.
That is where we come in. We look for useful material, work around its limitations and turn it into leather pieces, gifts and kits for people who want to make something themselves.
More leather put to use.
More people getting involved.
Make the first step easier.
You do not need to begin with a whole hide and a bench full of tools. Our kits bring together prepared panels, stitching essentials and guidance.
Be clear about the material.
Learning leathercraft should include learning what leather is. We want people to understand the labels and feel confident about what they are buying.
Only the best leather.
Good projects start with good material. We choose real leather from Scottish tanneries for its feel, grain and character.
A trial colour or a hide that will not make a large panel can still be excellent leather. We select the sound areas, then cut and prepare them for your project.
PU is plastic. Leather is a different material.
We believe materials should be described plainly. Knowing the difference helps you choose what you want to work with.
Real leather
Our kits use real Scottish leather.
Get to know its grain, how it folds and how the pieces come together as you stitch. This is leathercraft with the real material.
- Leather made from animal hide
- Fabric backing, thread and tools listed separately
VS
PU imitation
This is a plastic bag!
Example marketplace listing - not our product
Everyday PU leather satchel bag
Material: polyurethane (PU)
PU is plastic.
PU stands for polyurethane. In a synthetic imitation, this plastic coats a backing to imitate leather. The word “leather” on the listing does not change the material underneath.
The listing and rating are illustrative. They do not represent our products or a particular retailer.
Polyurethane can also be used as a finish on real leather. This comparison is about synthetic imitations sold as “PU leather”, not every material with a PU coating.
Start with a kit. See where it takes you.
Learn the stitch, get to know the leather, and choose what you want to make next.