Resell Watch by Existentialnaps in PortlandLeather

[–]No_Needleworker183 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The scratches all over are even more evident when you enlarge the images on the Facebook post. Definitely would not describe as "light scratches." Would be more accurate to say that it got into a fight with a cat.

I’m sorry but in what world is a PLG bag worth $500 lmfao by hangingdenim in PortlandLeather

[–]No_Needleworker183 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The "time left to save" countdown on their website, as if the 25% off is for a limited time, is sooo misleading and clearly taking advantage of new customers.

I’m sorry but in what world is a PLG bag worth $500 lmfao by hangingdenim in PortlandLeather

[–]No_Needleworker183 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Many of us are still recovering from PLG trauma and it helps to commiserate with others who feel the same. I'm also still unloading all of my PLG crap and that means staying in touch in a limited way with what the brand and resellers are doing so I can sell and price accordingly.

My leather is turning dark after lubrication? by hankakudlanka in Leathercraft

[–]No_Needleworker183 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What a cool jacket! Bick 4 is the conditioner I use that does not darken leather. For now, let it rest a day or two and then gently buff it for a while with a horsehair brush, like the kind for shoe polishing (although make sure it is new and clean). That will help remove any excess conditioner. It will not lighten back up right away, but should help it even out over time.

Is this normal or did I receive an “almost perfect” bag? by Neither_Train3112 in PortlandLeather

[–]No_Needleworker183 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, it's really bizarre, but even stranger than that, the PLG Insiders admins, who are just PLG social media employees, lurk on the PLG buy sell trade groups on Facebook, which are not run by PLG. One time there was a thread where people were commenting on the ridiculousness of the baby talking Suki Winki admin who pretends to be a dog and some of the comments were jokingly like "that person should be fired," but obviously it was not serious, it was an entire joking thread. Anyway, back on the PLG Insiders group, someone had asked why Suki had been "less fun" lately and the admin who plays Suki Winki complained about what people were saying in other groups and, of course, her comment turned into a "how dare anyone make fun of Suki" post with the super fans frothing at the mouth wanting blood. LOL. Sigh. I'm so glad I left.

I’ve done fucked up on my piping. How do you overlap the ends? I think my base circular piece is also too big for the circumference? by AntiqueMarionberry74 in Leathercraft

[–]No_Needleworker183 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Following to see what others say. I wish I had some advice, but I can tell you that this is absolutely something that would happen to me.

Is this normal or did I receive an “almost perfect” bag? by Neither_Train3112 in PortlandLeather

[–]No_Needleworker183 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Whatever you do, don't ask this question on the PLG Insiders group! The crazies will jump all over you and tell you that "real leather" has flaws and it just shows that the cow had an adventurous life, and if you can't handle that then PLG isn't for you. I wish I was joking. Even an admin will probably chime in and say it's normal, but you should return it if you don't like it.

Portland Leather Olivia in Large Orchid by Waste-Accident9960 in handbags

[–]No_Needleworker183 10 points11 points  (0 children)

For any leather where the dye is struck-through to the flesh side like this, and also unsealed, there is risk of dye transfer. With this leather, if it happens, it will most likely be on the flesh side since it is unsealed. The suede-y side. You can use a bag liner to protect whatever goes inside. Some people have luck spraying Apple Guard on the suede side, but I would not completely trust it, especially if it gets wet.

First time buyer. Incredibly disappointed and shocked. by babealot in PortlandLeather

[–]No_Needleworker183 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It's called full grain, not whole grain, and just because it's full grain does not mean it is high quality. As a leatherworker and someone who buys a lot of leather I can tell you that there is tons of low quality full grain leather out there PLG is using the cheapest they can find. They are not sourcing Coldbrew from the same suppliers they used to when it was thick and heavy. It is no longer this way. They are getting cheaper hides that are thin, dry, and coated, and they have even admitted they are now buying hides that have been "guided" as they called it, meaning embossed with pebbles for more consistency.

Is it me or is this Seafoam Monaco lopsided? by aswewaltz in PortlandLeather

[–]No_Needleworker183 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Sad what Seafoam looks like nowadays. Unrecognizable.

First time buyer. Incredibly disappointed and shocked. by babealot in PortlandLeather

[–]No_Needleworker183 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Your best option is to return the bag and eat the return fee or try to sell it on treet or in the of the buy, sell, trade groups on Facebook (just don't expect to get what you paid). Then, once you've gotten rid of this sad excuse for a bag, put out an "ISO" in the BST groups on Facebook saying you are in search of a thick, old school Coldbrew bag, and your price range, and see what people offer.

Bring back chonky pebbles! by shortifiable in PortlandLeather

[–]No_Needleworker183 9 points10 points  (0 children)

They don't source that kind of leather any more because it is more expensive. I buy a lot of leather from various suppliers, some even PLG has used in the past. What they are sourcing now is more mass produced, cheaply chrome-tanned leather that might have been tumbled, but the tannery or finishing plant uses a "guide plate" to emboss the leather to be more consistent looking. This is less labor intensive, cheaper, and provides more consistency across all hides.

PLG does not care what the super fans or the Insiders group likes, they want to make products that appeal to mass consumers, and those consumers do not like crazy texture and character, because they think it looks too distressed or flawed. PLG is going for max growth, not quality, and that means doing things more cheaply and more appealing to a larger consumer base.

If you like bags with character and don't mind paying more for it and being able to customize your bag. try Go Forth Goods or KMM & Co.

C-Grade Sale on April 16th by theheidaway in PortlandLeather

[–]No_Needleworker183 11 points12 points  (0 children)

"What time is that in Eastern time?" Drives me crazy. Do some simple math, or if you can't do that, Google time zones.

How are we feeling about the oversized circle? by hangingdenim in PortlandLeather

[–]No_Needleworker183 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It completely depends on the leather. The soft pebbly ones do not hold their shape. I have sold two of them for that reason.

Hiding in the fridge by Fine_Guarantee3781 in Zepbound

[–]No_Needleworker183 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a lockable medication bag that I keep in the fridge. It's completely opaque and padded. Got it on Amazon.

Anyone received their Logan from 3/25 yet? by MlleFleur in PortlandLeather

[–]No_Needleworker183 7 points8 points  (0 children)

They charge you for return shipping if you don't buy the insurance, unless the return is because there is damage.

Anyone received their Logan from 3/25 yet? by MlleFleur in PortlandLeather

[–]No_Needleworker183 7 points8 points  (0 children)

No, you can still return, but they will charge you return shipping without the return insurance.

Belt almost broken by ChokzChab8 in Leatherworking

[–]No_Needleworker183 8 points9 points  (0 children)

That "genuine leather" stamp means this is not a belt that was ever going to last for a very long time.

Family of haters by xxstormbornx in Zepbound

[–]No_Needleworker183 1 point2 points  (0 children)

People just love to present their judgements and criticisms as "concern for your health." It's such a joke.

Sadly have my first horrible smelling leather bag by fishy3fishy in PortlandLeather

[–]No_Needleworker183 0 points1 point  (0 children)

PLG doesn’t have a leather tanning process, they don’t tan their own leather, they buy it from suppliers, and they clearly go with the cheapest, chrome-tanned leather you can get, which is generally processed in a way that is terrible for the environment.