Dying my buckskin leggings. ???

[LehighBrad]

Hello again.....I just recieved my new pair of center seam mocs from Arrow Mocassin and I gotta say...man they are nice!! Anyway, my question is, the mocs are dyed a dark brown and I want my buckskin leggings to more closely match this color. My leggings have been a light tan ever since I made them except for a few dirt blemishes and scuffs over the years. What would be the best way to color these leggings darker to match the mocs better???

[Macon Due]

Brad
 How bout homemade Walnut stain/dye? I dyed my pants and shirt.You can get stuff really dark or not so much , as you desire.
Macon

[Kevin Houlihan]

Brad,
I've had pretty good luck using RIT fabric dye.  Use warm water to mix the dye powder and make sure to get all of the dye dissolved.  Soak the leather in a separate container until the leather is good and wet and then put it in the bucket, basin or whatever with the dissolved dye in it.  I used a 5 gal joint compound bucket.  This gives you the ability to mix die colors and weaken or strengthen the dye.
Kevin

[Tim Crosby]

  I don't think I would dye them, they will defiantly stiffen up. Put some grease of some sort on them, if nothing else load them up with Mink oil. Then let them age and darken in use, it won't take long. Wear them over your pants hunting, walking in the woods/fields, drag ‘em behind your lawn mower, they'll darken up. 

 Tim C.

[Habu]

I know it is sorta low-tech and all, but you could always smoke 'em. 

[Black Hand]

I would avoid the grease/oil approach as it keeps the leather from breathing.  I suggest wearing them out in the woods.  Won't take long to get them dirty.

Dying them also depends on the type of leather you are using.....?

[wmrike]

New bucksin can be kind of bright.  I threw mine into a bath of walnut hulls as Macon Due suggested.  You should get a nice muted, medium woodsy brown (look that up on the color charts!).  Mine were never stiff from the process.

[Dphariss]

I know it is sorta low-tech and all, but you could always smoke 'em. 

My first thought as well.

Dan

[LehighBrad]

I'm on it!! Thanks.

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Hope you have a pipe large enuf to smoke those leggins 

[Daryl]

Brain or chome tanned?