So my DH and I meet at TRF and when we have gone back we purchase scraps of leather. Since I just this month picked up quilting he suggested making a quilt with the scraps. Has anyone used leather in quilting?

I have a throw that is appliqued with animals using soft skins

I acquired a few leather ties back in the summer and didn't know what to do with them. Hope you get a few suggestions. If not, you might want to put this question in the Main section.

Not to sure about trying applique. Unless I hand stiched it down then maybe. However thanks for the suggestion.

Welcome from Idaho!
I think it would depend on the thickness of your leather...

thin. and Thanks

Welcome from Michigan.

welcome!

Welcome from Virginia

Welcome from Ireland

Washing a quilt made of leather would be problematic.

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!!

Hello, and welcome from Michigan!

i made a quilt with leather's, velvets, corduroys....lots of different textures/fabrics...the only down side to the quilt is laundering...if there is quite a bit of leather you have to pay big bucks to have it professionally leather cleaned...some dry-cleaners will not even accept it...it has to be sent somewhere. when i made mine i was careful that everything that was washable was washed ahead of time and was very careful putting it together. i have done some (spot-cleaning) on it a couple times...have thought about just taking a chance...but have not taken that step...so the quilt is...about 7-8 years old and so far has not been washed.....it's beautiful but not functional...mine is about 9" squares, some embellished, embroidered, stamped, .... mixed fab's all put together with dark velvet sashing strips; about 1/4 of the quilt top is leather squares. if you made the whole top with leather it would probably be easier to figure out a care-plan.

I've seen it done in clothing - vests and such - mixing leather with quilted panels or tapestry, but not in a quilt. Would be a beautiful effect though. If you've not worked with leather before, there are special leather machine needles you can get, that punch through it more easily than most. Ditto for hand needles, get the triangular leather needles, your hands will thank you! Can't wait to see the ideas come out!

As to the washing, the main reasons for not washing leather are that 1) it dries it out and 2) it may leave watermarks.
Some of the newer leathers are actually washable.
If you're using scraps, I'd be tempted to stitch a scrap to a plain contrasting fabric, mark the size, run it through the washer to see what it does (shrink, bleed, dry out, leave watermarks on the leather, etc). I would not expect shrinkage or distortion but it may bleed...or not. Drying could be countered by using a very mild soap instead of detergent. Watermarks? You may actually like the effect. I'd give it a shot.

as in neckties? try making a hobo bag out of them!

Have used leather & naugahyde. Decided that it was less frustrating combining it with traditional materials around the edges

how about purses?

Welcome from Central PA. Be sure to show us your projects. Can't wait to see them.

Thanks so much. Yes I have leather needles, Yes it would be all leather. Would use it maybe once a year when we going camping at TRF. I was thinking of doing a log cabin out of the scraps however I am open to any suggestions.

I have made two little belt purses out of some of the scraps. But now that I have almost finished my first quilt top I am so in love with quilting and thought the leather might be fun. Also it is the only material I have to work with for the moment. We are moving (ehggg) so funds are tight till after the move. I even asked my husband to wait on giving each other christmas till after the move. 1. I didn't know what I really wanted till now (he is going to make me a quilt frame) 2. be 1 less thing to worry about moving.

I have not but I did get an idea from a book last night. The person had made throw pillows for her couch out of red and black checked wool it looked like, She had a triangle flap that came from the top seam and fell over the pillow. She had fringed the edges. You could add a concho also. It was so neat. Just an idea but both of us loved it and my husband Never comments! Marvel

welcome from se TX

Welcome from Ohio.

Hello from Western Maryland !!

hi from killeen texas you will love this site

Hello and welcome from Michigan.

Hello and Welcome from San Gabriel, California

I remember my late DH teaching his Boy Scouts in making Indian clothes from leather. I think he had them pound the sewing holes on the edges by putting the leather on soft wood and pounding an awl with a rock (like the Indians did or if they didn't they should have!!) The boys loved it, and made some gosh-awful clothing that lasted far longer than I thought they should, since my own son had one of the ugliest vest ever seen on any boy in captivity!!

I so do lots of info on here. I love looking through the pics. I want to try all of them..heheh

My Dad taught Royal Rangers they made coin pouches and what I would call lacing cards from thick leather cross shapes.
A couple of years ago we got ourselves a needle punch thread thing. forgot what it is called, however it is used for the thicker leather that we have. I bet they were so proud.

Hello and Welcome to the board :D:D:D

What about a smaller wall hanging, and see how you like working with it in this way? :D:D:D

Wow, and I have been trying to find a small piece about 12 in sq for months need RED scrap -don't even know where to go to get some ---so if you have a piece to sell or trade for fabric I'm game --just pm me please either way.
I wouldn't make a quilt but wall hanging sounds great idea
as you obviously know how to work with the leather. I never have only some fake stuff but I have a special thing I want to do for ME this time.

welcome from mo

Hello and welcome from Boston, Ma