Buying a leather item is not always easy.
Of course you can simply choose a leather bag and pay without worrying about its quality, but if you are looking for something special and lasting, there are some indications that Made in Firenze is happy to suggest you. First, take care of all the details, including wires. Here are the seven elements needed to know if the leather you want to buy is of good quality and does not have any nasty surprises
1. Made in Italy
Buying Objects made in Italy is the first step to finding quality leather items and handbags, and you will recognize them from the printed logo on the leather. Certainly the Made in Italy brand alone is not enough to guarantee the highest quality of the product but allows you to choose a product of great design; If the product also follows the rules you will read below you will surely find a excellent leather product.
2. Vegetable treatment
Today, the ecological aspect of a genuine leather product is fundamental, the leather products with vegetal tanning treatment allows to have handbags made with products that are not harmful to the environment and at the same time do not cause irritation to those who use the bag. The vegetal tanned treatment is typical of the Tuscany area and Made in Florence sell only processed green products .
3. Carefully observe the leather
This step may seem obvious, but it is really important to carefully examine every leather item you are about to buy, every detail, every finish, and if it is Made in Italy you will see an item of high quality. Pay close attention to leather that has been colored or smells of vinyl glue, the smell needs to be of genuine skin and not vinyl adhesive, if the leather smells good this is a quality signal.
If possible, also slightly stretch the skin and bend it in your hands to understand the resistance. High quality leather is heavier than the other type because of its high fiber density: so the higher the specific weight, the better the quality.
4. Check all seams
After checking the material, the stitching check is passed. The handmade seam is more durable and aesthetically pleasing than the one made by machinery, both are great but the hand made makes the product more beautiful (and more expensive!). If the bag is sewn by hand, the craftman uses two beveled needles attached to a single thread. While sewing, pass two needles through the same hole so as to create a tight knot and therefore very strong. Machine stitching, however, is undoubtedly faster and allows for a good product at lower prices, but it is perhaps a bit less durable and less beautiful seam.
5. Check the edges of the skin
It is important that the edges of the skin are polished and burnished. This passage creates a shield that protects the material from external elements that could damage it. If the edges are not properly crushed, moisture may also penetrate and cause debris. If the edges, made with multiple layers of leather, look just as one, it means the quality of the skin is very high. In fact, this passage is very difficult to accomplish and only experienced craftsmen are able to do so.
6. Beware of cutting
The skin should be cut so that the cutting follows the “direction of the grain”. For example, a leather wallet should be cut so that the minimum amount of rigid areas is present at high stress points, otherwise the accessory will have unnecessary folds. A good craftsman, to produce a purse or a wallet of excellent quality, is capable of cutting the skin so as to avoid imperfections or scarring. The leather comes from the mantle of an animal that could have been marked by bites of fleas or cuts or even fat deposits but a good craftsman is able to cut the skin so as to avoid producing garments with these less valuable parts or not perfect.
7. Watch the thread
Finally, it is important to use a high quality yarn when two leather cuts are sewn together. Flaxen yarns are the most used ones and are very durable and beautiful, but also nylon ones are used.
To conclude: if you want to buy a quality leather bag you can do two things: follow our 7 tips and look around the leather items that you like or more simply choosing from our wonderful leather handbags offered by Made in Florence, 100% high quality Tuscan products.
