I'm planning on starting a quiver soon.  The leather I have is very light in color.  Veg. tanned I think.  Anyway, I'd like to darken it and can't seem to find any dye locally.  I called several shoe stores and the so called "leather suppliers" around and nothing.  I'm really on a tight budget right now with new twins in the house, so I was wondering if anyone had used any simple, non-commercial stuff to dye leather.  I actually used coffee awhile back on a knife sheath.  It darkened it somewhat but not really dark.  Also would there be anything at a Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc.... that could be used.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Aaron

Check hobby lobby if there is one close if not check a local shoe hospitial. My couisn works at one and i've bought a good bit from him.

Adam

You might want to try it on a small piece of scrap to see how it works, and whether the color will rub off, but in a pinch for something darker I've used wood stain on leather and it worked well enough.  I am pretty sure it was a water based stain.  It can dry out the leather badly, so use some leather conditioner afterwards.  I use Lexol.  

Ron

Try some good ole Ritt Dye.  Go with lighter than what you want, check color on a scrap piece.
Either mix the Ritt with water as per directions, or I use denatured alachol like on wood arrows.  Either way, use a sealer.

I made my own quiver last year its great.I found everything I needed at TANDY LEATHER.MY DYE COLOR WAS OX BLOOD RED CAME OUT AWESOME.WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN .MY BEST ON YOUR VENTURE.
                             BIG RISER

Give a try to household or bakers soda (red-brown color to dark brown color) and copperas - from grey to almost black. Make a water solution and apply to a leather.

What are you going to treat it with?  Take a scrap, and treat it.  It may darken it enough so you don't want to dye it.

Thanks for all the tips guys.  I'm planning on making a side stalker type quiver.  I'm going to have to piece it a bit as the pieces I have aren't quite big enough for the whole pattern.  As far as treating it, I have no idea.  Snow seal maybe?  Any tips on sealants?  The leather is pretty stiff and I don't want to soften it much for this type of quiver.  

We used to have a Tandy in town but they went out some years back and so far I can't find any place nearby that has what I need.  But I'll do a little more searching.  I did a back quiver last year that came out pretty good but I used a softer leather that didn't need dying.  So coloring the leather is new to me.

Thanks again for the help.  Aaron

Thought I'd bring this back up for one more question.  I'm getting ready to start the quiver, finally.  I found some dye locally and now I'm wondering if I should dye the leather before I put the thing together or wait until it's all stitched up and dye it?  Any help?  I will also be contact cementing some of it together before I punch holes and stitch it.  Thanks.

Aaron

I would dye it before you put it together.

Definately dye it first. There's nothing worse than not being able to reach that last...little...bit & having it come out a different colour!

Tandy Leather, Hide Crafters, Leather unlimited

Thanks.  I'll dye it first.  If I every get it done I'll try and post some pictures.

Aaron

I have several of the leather sealers from Tandy and I like good old Mink oil the best.  If you heat the leather just a little and work two or three coats of Mink oil in it will protect and waterproof the leather.

Fiebing's has been some of the best around also...the resolene is perfect for waterproofing and is made to last but has a glossier sheen to it for a quiver. I like the mink oil too.

It is locally made here in Milwaukee and available at Tandy's as well or online shops.
Made especially for weathered leather goods like saddlry.

www.Fiebing.com  

Shell (on hubby's login)

Bringing this up again.  Sorry.  I got Fiebings dye at a little shoe repair place I found.  The guy also has sewing awl thread and a lot of other stuff that may come in useful.  Anyway, I dyed the leather with a med. brown dye and it came out prety nice.  I contact cemented the pieces together and have the first batch of holes punched.  I haven't put any leather treatment on it yet.  Still not sure what I'm going to use.  But will some of the treatments that you guys mentioned set the dye to the leather?  I've noticed that while I'm working on getting the holes punched and such that the dye is staining my skin some.  I'm sure if I don't treat it that it will ruin any clothes I have on.  Will stuff like snow seal stop this or do I need one of the above mentioned leather treatments.  I'm sure the shoe place I got the dye from has some stuff but I haven't gotten that far yet.  Thanks in advance and hopefully no more questions!  LOL....

Aaron

I have used snowseal and pitch blend to seal the leather.  i think both are "wax sealers" that help to keep the color from rubbing off.  Be sure to seal it before you stitch, otherwise the dye will stain the stiching the first time you put sealer on it (don't be like me).

Good luck with your project.

Thanks again for all the advice.  I got it finished finally.  Thought I'd post a picture.  Hopefully.

Aaron

Nice work, Aaron.  

Great job Aaron
1st leather project? pretty dang good
       Kurt