Art By Steph Chan · Philadelphia
Leather
Restoration
Some pieces are worth saving. A journal that holds years of writing. A wallet that has traveled everywhere with you. These things deserve more than a quick fix.
What I Do
Skilled restoration for small leather goods
I accept wallets, cardholders, and journal covers — the kind of pieces that matter. Every project is assessed individually before any work begins.
01
Grain & Surface Recovery
Controlled hydration and manual compression to restore compressed or scarred leather fibers.
02
Hand Restitching
Every stitch placed by hand using premium Vinymo #5 thread with calibrated tension.
03
Thread Replacement
Removal of substandard prior repair thread and full reconstruction to a professional standard.
04
Edge Finishing
Precision beveling and multi-stage Tokonole burnishing to restore a clean, refined edge profile.
How It Works
No surprises. Ever.
01
Reach Out
Send a message through the contact form with a description of your piece and a few photos of the damage. Ship to Philadelphia or arrange a local drop-off.
02
Diagnostic Assessment
I evaluate the piece, identify every defect, and determine what is recoverable. You receive a full written quote before I touch anything.
03
Restoration & Report
Once approved, I complete the work and return your piece with a full diagnostic report documenting every finding and every intervention.
Case Study
Paper Republic Journal
A third-party repair left this journal with machine stitching, excessive thread tension, grain biting, and edge distortion. The prior thread disintegrated on removal. Every defect was documented, treated, and resolved.
Structural grain & profile recovery — puckering and edge scalloping resolved through fiber relaxation and bespoke hand restitching.
The Diagnostic Report
Every restoration is documented
Your piece comes back with a full written report. Not a receipt — a record. Every defect identified, every intervention performed, every outcome noted honestly.
- Condition assessment on arrival
- Before and after photography for each defect
- Materials and methods used
- Honest notes on what was recoverable and what was permanent
Get Started
Is your piece worth saving?
Every restoration is quoted individually after I assess the piece. Reach out with a description and a few photos and I'll take it from there.
Pricing is determined after assessment. No work begins without your approval.