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Leather ShopAuthor: Captain Eames Media
The Leather Shop Podcast is hosted by Matt Roach, a leather crafter eager to learn and have interesting conversations with craftsman from across the globe. Language: en Genres: Crafts, Hobbies, Leisure Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Starting a Leather Supply Business: The Leather Reserve
Episode 3
Thursday, 25 June, 2026
dsfdGrant Anderson runs Uptown Common, a small handmade shop known for structured purses, briefcases, and bags with a distinctive double-color stitch line. This spring he launched a second venture, The Leather Reserve, importing MPG Industria hides from Italy after a discontinued leather nearly cost him a sale. Matt and Grant get into the making and the business in equal measure.Highlights:The used King Ranch F-150 whose saddle-leather interior sent Grant looking for a bag — and eventually into making his own.Why he wet-forms nearly everything, and how he builds gusset forms out of stacked acrylic (with a belt-strap molding idea to kill clamp marks).The two-color saddle stitch: four needles, two threads, and a "leapfrog" rhythm that skips every other hole.Switching from waxed linen to Tiger/Ritza polyester after breaking thread mid-stitch.The Barry King maul, and why a $90 hammer changed how the work felt.How one discontinued hide turned into a corporation and a wire transfer to Italy in about three weeks.Why a 50 sq-meter tannery minimum (~35 hides per color) keeps makers from buying direct.The MPG lines coming in: Apollo, Aragona (corrected grain), and Vakeda (tumbled), plus a custom deep-red veg tan.Episode Breakdown:0:00 – Welcome and guest intro1:02 – How Grant got into leather2:09 – The King Ranch truck that started it3:20 – Why leather longevity (and care) matters4:26 – Hobby to business: Uptown Common6:01 – Why most makers avoid bags8:59 – Wet-forming for structured bags12:15 – Acrylic forms, molds, and the strap trick19:10 – Tools that matter: the Barry King maul20:50 – Hand stitching vs. machine24:22 – The jig rabbit hole27:09 – The two-color saddle stitch29:47 – How the four-needle "leapfrog" stitch works36:19 – Stitching ponies and their frustrations42:54 – The Leather Reserve origin story47:17 – Why makers can't buy direct (minimums and shipping)49:46 – What makes MPG leather different55:12 – The Apollo, Aragona, and Vacchetta lines1:02:00 – Five-year plans for both brands1:08:18 – Leather weight and the splitting-machine question1:13:03 – Listener questions and where to find Grant💬 Join the Leather Shop DiscordSupport us on Patreon🧰 Check the Amazon Tool List👉 Follow on Instagram: @leathershoppod👉 More episodes: leathershoppod.com👉 All links & resources: Linktree
