Why we saddle-stitch by hand
Two needles, one thread and a stitch that holds even when it breaks: the oldest way to join leather.
How to care for a leather bag in the monsoon
Humidity, not rain, is what damages leather in Kolkata. Here is how to keep a bag through July and August.
A few drops of rain will not hurt a full-grain bag. Wipe them off with a dry cloth and let the bag dry at room temperature, away from a fan heater or direct sun. Water marks on vegetable-tanned leather fade within a day or two.
The real damage in the monsoon is mould. Leather stored in a closed cupboard, inside a plastic cover, in eighty per cent humidity, will grow white spots within weeks. Store bags in a cotton dust bag, with a sachet of silica gel inside, and open the cupboard every few days.
If mould does appear, wipe it off outdoors with a cloth dampened with a mix of equal parts water and white vinegar. Let the bag dry fully, then rub in a thin layer of leather balm to restore the oils.
Once the monsoon is over, balm every bag you own. It takes ten minutes and adds years.
