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| Lambskin Jacket from Elegance, £999 |
I admit I am all over wanting a shearling aviator jacket. Good thing I didn't have £2K burning a hole in my pocket last September! LOL. However, I still want some sort of shearling layering piece. So, I have been researching where to get shearling here in the UK, and learning a few things about shearling along the way. I'll share what I've learnt with you and my preferred suppliers, just in case anyone else fancies shearling this winter.
First, shearling is NOT cheap, even on an island overrun with sheep! Shearling is still sold by the square foot. Obviously, skins are oddly shaped and once you know how many square feet you need, you should buy some extra unless you are able to buy your skins in person with pattern pieces in hand to check against.
Now for suppliers, first I tried Alma Leather, but they really didn't seem interested in dealing with me. I had to chase them hard and in the end the man I spoke with felt that his skins would be too thick for my machine anyway. An excuse to get rid of me? Maybe.
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| Shearling samples from Fenland Sheepskin , the plush side. |
Then, I went to Fenland Sheepskin in Somerset. Angela, who helped me over the phone was very kind and helpful and put some samples in the post to me straight away, at no charge. The quality was good. I am sure it would fit through my machine, and they charge £4/ft for it. I also like the idea that it is made right here in Somerset and not shipped from far away.
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| Shearling samples from Fenland Sheepskin, the suede side. |
However, I was disappointed that the non-fur side was suede. I wanted a Napa finish. Angela explained that the napa side is actually underneath the wool. That to get a napa finish on shearling requires a resin treatment on the suede which comes off over time and with wear. Good to know, but I still want the leathery napa finish.
So, on to my next contender, Walter Reginald. The sales girl there popped some samples in the post straight away at no charge. Now, this is more like it. Lots of plush side choices, and all with a napa finish on the leather side. Of course, getting exactly what you want costs more. The first sample on the top of the page is £3/ft and all the rest are £5.25/ft. Naturally, the one on top is the coarsest and least likely to go through my machine.
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| Walter Reginald samples, plush side. |
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| Walter Reginald samples, napa side. This is not a great picture. Suffice it to say that the leather side is soft and smooth, some are buttery soft. |
I figure that a simple gilet will need a minimum of 20ft, a jacket upwards of 30ft. So, this is not a cheap and cheerful home project. It would still be good value if you could pull it off though. It would cost about a quarter to a tenth of what it would cost to go out and buy. I am still keen, but I think I will have to wait until after Christmas to figure out whether I can afford to splash out on myself like this.
