FAQ's
How can I acquire a unique leather item?
Hand stitching beautiful English bridle leather into fabulous products is what I do. Just fill in the contact form, and I will get back to you to discuss your bespoke bag, belt or one-off commission.
Can I order a saddle from you?
As a small independent business, it isn’t economically viable for me to make saddles from scratch, especially as I only stitch by hand. However, I can and do repair saddles and bridles – please contact me to discuss your requirements.
Why would I come to a saddler for a satchel?
Saddlery skills are brilliantly transferable to making and repairing bags, belts and other leather items, including some furniture. These pieces have a higher ratio of stitching time to preparation work, which I really enjoy, so I’ve moved almost exclusively into this line of work. And I find that in north London, there’s a greater market for accessories for people than horses!
Can I customise my order?
All my products are made to suit my customers’ individual requirements. Every piece is made to order, working with you to refine the details before making it from scratch. You can select the style, size, leather, fittings, thread and lining. If it can be made with saddlery materials, I can create it for you. What’s possible within this scope will be explained during the design consultation.
How accurate are the colours on your website?
The display colours on this site are as true as possible, but rendition of tones can vary due to screen settings. As a natural product, leather shades are subject to variation between batches – if a colour match is crucial, I can send through samples of the batch and threads before finalising your order.
I’m local; can I come to your studio to see your work?
I love showing off examples of my work to visitors! It also allows you to handle existing products, and choose the style options, leather and fittings that suit you. My studio is in Wood Green, north London. Please contact me for an appointment and directions.
What is your returns policy?
All of my pieces are bespoke and made to order; therefore I can only accept returns or offer refunds in the unlikely event a product is faulty. For full details of my returns and exchange policies, please see my terms of sale.
What happens if a product is faulty?
All of my pieces are handmade to the highest standard using traditional skills, so faults are very rare. Should one occur, please contact me [link to contact page] to arrange for it to be repaired, exchanged or refunded. Please see my terms of sale for full details of my returns and exchange policies.
How long will it take to make my item?
The time taken to complete your order varies depending on the scope of the project and my current workload. Small items can be made and dispatched in a matter of days, but larger pieces may take several weeks to create. Likely timeframes will be discussed as part of the order process.
How long will it take for delivery?
I encourage you to collect the finished product in person so that we can check that your commission meets your expectations – and because I love having visitors! If you cannot collect, your product will be sent using a tracked and signed-for service, usually Royal Mail Special Delivery. Other couriers can be arranged on request. Delivery times are discussed as part of the ordering process.
Do you ship to customers outside the UK?
I do sell to locations outside the UK. Shipping arrangements and costs vary from country to country, and many impose customs duty and sales tax on goods. These are the responsibility of the customer, and will often be included in the rate charged by the courier firm. These costs need to be covered before they will make delivery.
If you are based outside the UK, please email me at enquiries@stephrubbosaddlery.co.uk with details of the product you are interested in and your location. I can then give you an estimate of the additional costs of shipping to your address before you place your order.
Why is my order delayed?
Delays are possible due to materials being unavailable or a busy workload. I keep a stock of the most commonly requested leather and fittings, but high demand may result in a waiting period while materials are ordered. Any unexpected delay will be communicated to you, and we will agree a solution – whether that’s waiting for the right stock to come in, a substitution of materials, a change in design, or a refund if no alternative can be found.
I need my piece in a hurry; can you expedite it?
Completion and delivery times are dependent on availability of materials and my workload. We’ll agree a timeframe when the order is placed, but should your requirements change, please contact me and I’ll do my best to accommodate them. An extra charge may be applicable to quick turnarounds.
What payment methods do you take?
Once an order is confirmed, I’ll raise an invoice. I prefer payment by bank transfer, but I can also accept cash or card payments in person. For larger bespoke orders I ask for a deposit to cover the cost of materials, with the final balance due before the item is delivered.
Where do you source your materials?
My first choice is local suppliers, but, to paraphrase the BBC, ‘other sources are available’ and sometimes necessary. My preferred materials are those used in saddlery, as these are the ones I know and understand, and are best suited to the products I make.
The leather is usually English bridle leather, which is vegetable tanned hides that have been waxed and greased on both sides. The quality from traditional tanneries such as Sedgwick & Co and J&FJ Baker is second to none.
My preferred buckles and hardware are solid brass, which can be plated in various finishes, cast in Walsall by Abbey England. My linen thread is from Somac Threads in Chester, and I also stock French Fil au Chinois cable linen and Irish Barbour thread.
If you have a project requiring different materials, please contact me to discuss.
Is your leather ethical?
My leather is as ethical as I can make it. By its nature, leather can only be made from animal skins. Mine is a byproduct of the food industry, mostly from cows, although the soft nappa may be sheep or goat leather; and I use some pig suede. The only ‘exotic’ leather I use is cow hide with a pattern embossed on it.
I make every scrap of leather count. Offcuts from larger projects become smaller items such as wallets, watch straps, bracelets or keyrings. My laminated doorstops are repurposed belt strap ends. I also recycle offcuts of softer fashion leather from a local merchant for smaller accessories.
The tanning industry is working towards a greener future. For further information, see recognised industry bodies the Leather Working Group and Leather UK.
Do you use vegan leather or other substitutes?
I don’t generally work with leather substitutes. Those currently available don’t fully replicate the properties of leather, and many involve the use of plastics, which I avoid wherever possible. I therefore prefer to work with the real thing for now.
What packaging do you use?
I keep packaging to a minimum, using only as much as necessary to wrap the item and attach a postage label. I use natural products where possible, including any filler padding. Where an item is at risk of damage in transit, I reuse old packaging such as bubble wrap, fillers or padded envelopes.
How do I care for my leather item?
All my products come with a care leaflet. You can also reference my blog on this topic.
In general, minimal care is required, but leather can crack if it gets wet and is dried too quickly, or is exposed to high temperatures. Pet collars and leads are especially vulnerable. Should your item become wet, sponge off excess moisture and let it dry naturally at room temperature. Some items are stained with a water-based dye. They’re treated to reduce any colour transfer, but I recommend keeping them away from light-coloured clothing until you’re confident there won’t be any colour bleed. If it’s necessary to condition the leather, use a product designed for vegetable tanned leather. Contact me if you need a recommendation.