Wickett & Craig Skirting

Produced through a 14-day vegetable tanning process using tree bark tannins, the leather has been manufactured since 1867 at the company's Curwensville, Pennsylvania facility, one of only two remaining vegetable tanneries in the United States. The leather is available in weights ranging from 8-14 oz, with custom splitting down to 2-3 oz, and comes in seven colors including natural, russet, oak, mahogany, chestnut, brown, and black.

The leather features a firm temper, being hard and rigid with little flexibility compared to softer leathers. The full grain bovine leather is drum dyed, though the dye is not struck through—the inner layer of the leather remains natural in color while the outer surface displays a subtle natural finish.

The leather responds to tooling, molding, and custom finishing work. It accepts additional dye and oil applications, making it responsive to dyeing and antiquing processes. Despite being pre-dyed at the tannery, the leather takes leather dye well for those seeking to modify or enhance the color. The firm structure allows the leather to hold tooled or embossed designs while accepting uniform dyeing and oiling.

As vegetable-tanned leather, the skirting develops a patina with age. The tanning process, which uses natural tannins from tree bark rather than chemical agents, creates leather known for rich colors and durability that improves over time rather than deteriorating.

The tannery produces skirting using vegetable tanning methods dating back to 1867. The tanning process takes 14 days, during which hides spend time in tanning liquor containing tannins extracted from tree bark. This labor-intensive natural process stands in contrast to chrome tanning, which comprises 90 percent of market leather and uses faster chemical processes.

The Pennsylvania facility, relocated from Toronto in 1989, operates on more than 16 acres and contains 72 vats for tanning. The tannery produces 4,500,000 square feet of leather annually, including both light-weight and heavy-weight leathers. Hides are sourced from North American cattle of European stock. The facility holds environmental certification from the Leather Working Group.

Unlike English Bridle leather, skirting is not hot stuffed or waxed during production, resulting in a firmer hand suitable for tooling and carving applications. The drum dying process gives the leather its color without striking the dye through to the inner layers.

The leather is available in standard weights ranging from 8-14 oz for traditional applications. Custom splitting allows the leather to be reduced to lighter weights of 2-3 oz at no additional cost. Individual thickness options include 2.5-3 oz (1.0-1.2mm), 3.5-4 oz (1.4-1.6mm), 4.5-5 oz (1.8-2.0mm), 5.5-6 oz (2.2-2.4mm), 8-10 oz (3.2-4.0mm), and 10-12 oz (4.0-4.8mm).

The leather is sold by the side or back. Average side measurements are 24-27 square feet according to the tannery, with retailers listing average sizes around 25 square feet. Average back measurements are 18-20 square feet. The leather is available in three grades: Standard, Utility, and Special, with #1 and #2 grades having the least imperfections.

Seven color options are offered: natural, russet, oak, mahogany, chestnut, brown, and black. Pricing varies by grade and weight, with Standard grade ranging from $10.40-$11.05 per square foot depending on thickness, Utility grade at $9.44-$9.93 per square foot, and Special grade at $8.49-$9.00 per square foot.

Skirting leather finds primary use in saddlery and horse tack, where its firm structure and ability to hold shape serve functional requirements. Traditional applications include saddle skirts, stirrup leathers, and fenders—components that require leather to maintain form under stress while remaining workable during construction.

Beyond equestrian uses, the leather's properties make it suitable for holsters and sheaths, where rigidity and the ability to retain a molded shape provide protection for contents. The leather's firm temper and tooling capabilities also support its use in armor for historical re-enactment, where authentic appearance and structural integrity are required.

The leather works for crafts requiring tooling or carving, such as leather goods where decorative patterns are embossed into the surface. Its ability to accept uniform dyeing and finishing makes it adaptable for projects requiring color modification or antiquing effects to achieve specific aesthetic results.