Brewing Up Some Brown

[Johnny Dingus]

For dying leather I find you need to keep cooking it - adding iron is the mordant for cloth, but on leather it doesn't seem to matter and turns it a grey brown. I cook covered for several hours, turn it off and let set overnight. Next day re-boil, cooll for several hours then pour off the liquid. Cook that liquid down to a medium thick syrup. Add an 1/8 cup of alcohol to keep from molding. The best is the fresh, green black walnuts.

For a more true brown, like TW I've been experimenting with baking soda and water - it's tough to get it just right - time in the bath (no more than a minute or so maximum) is everything - I've gotten a light tan to a dark, dark brown. It does dry the leather though so it will need to be well oiled.

I was looking through my 1875 harness making book last night and they also note that annato (a natural food coloring) makes a good tan to brown - I'll write up the recipe later....

Chuck,

Am looking to do some brown holsters and was wondering if you found that natural food coloring recipe yet?

Thanks for all your tips and help for all of us new to this.

Johnny Dingus