Faux Suede Butt flap fraying

[L0CKSTER]

Hey guys,

 

Am I allowed to give my faux suede butt flap a small hem to prevent it from fraying? Would that pass level 1. I did see another technique that uses tape on the back of the fabric to prevent fraying without a visible stitched hem but not sure how well that would hold up with use.

 

I understand faux suede won’t pass level 2, but I can’t seem to get a nice genuine suede in Aus which I find hard to believe, I can only find US websites.

 

Cheers!

Lachy

 

 

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[Chopper]

  

14 hours ago, L0CKSTER said:

I understand faux suede won’t pass level 2, but I can’t seem to get a nice genuine suede in Aus which I find hard to believe, I can only find US websites.

If you're in Western Australia, I'm guessing you're around Perth?

Have you tried checking out this place or calling them up to see if they might have any recommendations?

https://www.leatherdirect.com.au/category/suedes

[Tarok]

Have you asked the local garrison?

[L0CKSTER]

Thanks @Chopper not sure how I missed this site. Seems like a good one. Which one should I choose? The cow suede or the heavy weight suede?

Hey @Tarok I did I was suggested to check out leathercraft but had trouble finding that. I found a leathercraftaustralia but couldn’t find raw material on their site sadly.


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[Tarok]

@M.J @M.J fellow Aussie needs help sourcing suede for a bum flap


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[Chopper]

1 hour ago, L0CKSTER said:

Thanks @Chopper not sure how I missed this site. Seems like a good one. Which one should I choose? The cow suede or the heavy weight suede?

Hey @Tarok I did I was suggested to check out leathercraft but had trouble finding that. I found a leathercraftaustralia but couldn’t find raw material on their site sadly.


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I'd go with the thinner 1.3mm cow suede. The other stuff is 2.5mm, which is too thick. 

We usually use pig suede, so, if you can, it might be worth taking a look at it if they have some in stock.

[L0CKSTER]

I'd go with the thinner 1.3mm cow suede. The other stuff is 2.5mm, which is too thick. 
We usually use pig suede, so, if you can, it might be worth taking a look at it if they have some in stock.

Ah right ok sweet, I’ll take a look at pig suede. Would cow suede pass Lancer spec?


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[M.J]

Hi ya Lachy,

Spotlight will have the faux suede.

I would suggest to sew 2 layers together turn inside out and there will be no seam, the only seam seen is where you attach to the pants. 

Watch the position of the flap as well.

You can look into pig skin aka Suede, that is sold here in Melbourne  depending on the size of the hide it could be around $30 then postage, last time I went the prices had gone up, you'll need a leather needle.

[M.J]

Sorry may I ask what you used for pants? is it suede or Pigskin

[M.J]

Here in Melbourne is https://www.leffler.com.au/shop/leather/suede/

If you can find a supplier close to you I would highly recommend to eyeball the skins.

If you have fabric on the pants, the bum flap should be consistent. 

Watch the thickness you machine wont sew the layers if the leather is too thick 

Though it is easy to sew the pigskin onto the pants as you don't need to fold over so there is no fraying

[L0CKSTER]

@M.J thanks for your reply! So i actually have the faux suede from spotlight and have done some preliminary cuts for the butt flap with it but was thinking hmm i should probably just get the real deal if im going through the motions anyway. I’ll be using the same material for the riding patches and the butt flap. I might just end up buying that cow suede or one from that Melbourne store you linked for me.


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[Retrofire]

On 2/21/2025 at 5:36 PM, M.J said:

Here in Melbourne is https://www.leffler.com.au/shop/leather/suede/

If you can find a supplier close to you I would highly recommend to eyeball the skins.

If you have fabric on the pants, the bum flap should be consistent. 

Watch the thickness you machine wont sew the layers if the leather is too thick 

Though it is easy to sew the pigskin onto the pants as you don't need to fold over so there is no fraying

@M.J M.J. is just the best! Any need for anything requiring a thread a needle she's the GOAT.😊

[M.J]

Awesome Lachy, Chat to the people over phone from Lefflers they will be a great help. 

Talking about skin I'm just been working on updating another 501st costume, as the leather had faded and I'm giving the costume new life so to speak.

This is the how they measure the skins. Just as chopper mentioned ask about the thickness as well. 

[L0CKSTER]

Awesome Lachy, Chat to the people over phone from Lefflers they will be a great help. 
Talking about skin I'm just been working on updating another 501st costume, as the leather had faded and I'm giving the costume new life so to speak.
This is the how they measure the skins. Just as chopper mentioned ask about the thickness as well. 

Perfect! Their cow suede is 1.3 mm thick. Chopper said that should be a good thickness. I couldn’t seem to find any black pigs suede, do you know if they ever stocked that?


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[M.J]

I'm not quite sure, I tend to look for colour and length and which one I need, like I said give them a call. 

[L0CKSTER]

2 hours ago, M.J said:

I'm not quite sure, I tend to look for colour and length and which one I need, like I said give them a call. 

I got in contact with them and they've said that they do sell the black pig suede and that it's odd it's not showing up on the website. They did say that the pieces are smaller though. If cow suede is an acceptable suede for Lancer, I might just go for cow instead of pig.

[M.J]

pigskin is a little thinner and work well on the pants.

Not everything is on the site. The are smaller but just one large hide will do the trick, I have 10 pigskins different colours and anyone of them would do the trick.

If you find the cow hide a good price go for it

[L0CKSTER]

1 hour ago, M.J said:

pigskin is a little thinner and work well on the pants.

Not everything is on the site. The are smaller but just one large hide will do the trick, I have 10 pigskins different colours and anyone of them would do the trick.

If you find the cow hide a good price go for it

Oh yep that makes sense, I suppose the pig skin being thinner would let it move a little easier when walking and sitting down. They are adding it to the website tomorrow 10am AEST so i'll check out how big their pieces are tomorrow morning. On pricing, pig suede looks to be about a third of the price, both non-member and member price, of the cow suede so I'll try and get the pig suede if size permits but it sounds like it should be fine from your experience

Really appreciate all the help @M.J!