Belly

What is a Belly?

A Belly is leather from the area around the animal's belly. The fibre structure is looser here, and the leather is typically more flexible and less uniform than leather from the Back.
This means that thickness, firmness and surface can vary across the piece. On the other hand, Bellies are an affordable way to get vegetable-tanned leather for many smaller projects.

Which thickness of Belly Leather should I choose?

Bellies are typically available in thicknesses from around 1.4–2 mm. The right thickness depends on your project and how flexible or firm you want the finished result to be.

As a general guide:
1.0–1.2 mm: Suitable for smaller projects, inside pockets, etc.
1.4–1.6 mm: Ideal for wallets, bags and wet forming
2.0–2.2 mm: Ideal for bags, straps and home accessories
2.6–2.8 mm: Suitable for larger bags, belts and straps
3.0–3.5 mm: Suitable for large bags, heavy-duty belts and straps
3.5–4.5 mm: Suitable for heavy-duty dog leads, straps and harnesses

The right thickness depends on both the function of your project and the look you want to achieve. A large bag can easily be made from thinner leather, just as a smaller bag can be made from thicker leather.

What can a Belly be used for?

Bellies are well suited to smaller projects and details where the natural variations in the leather are not a problem. Depending on the thickness, they can be used for small wallets, cases, keyrings, decorative details, practice pieces and other smaller leatherwork projects.
Bellies are also a good choice if you want to practise techniques such as dyeing, tooling or hand stitching without using a more expensive cut of leather.

Always check the properties and recommended uses of each product, as the different leather qualities can vary considerably.

Not sure which cut or thickness is right for your project? We are always happy to help you find the right leather.