Fox Creek Blog

A couple of customers have asked us about their gloves “bleeding” dye. This usually happens when the gloves are new and have been worn in a down pour of rain.

This is what I have learned about bleeding leather:

It is not uncommon for leather dye to “bleed” especially if the item is not dyed with the drum-dye process. Leather dyes will bleed from the material if the garment gets wet. This bleeding is normal and will occur only for a short period of time.

The dye will not hurt the garment, and usually washes off the skin with soap and water. Wiping the garment down with a leather oil soap and then a dry rag may help extract some of the dye.

We have had a couple of pair of Lee Park’s Gloves bleed. What Lee recommends is for you to hand wash his gloves with Woolite. Then (like any leather) you want to let them air dry away from a heat source (and out of direct sunlight).

If you have any questions regarding your leathers, we recommend contacting the manufacturer for their specific bleeding leather treatments and recommendations.

There is nothing better than the feel of a broken in leather jacket (or chaps, or vest, or…). This is the fit and feel we work hard to achieve her at Fox Creek Leather.

On occasion the standard jacket doesn’t fit a customer. In this instance we can look into special ordering a jacket for that customized fit. We can alter the length of the body and/or sleeves, delete or add common features, or make a combination sized jacket. As long as we don’t have to alter the pattern, we can attempt to accommodate just about any request.

To order, we have developed a trial size policy to help ensure that our customers get the best possible fit when ordering custom items. We started this process due to the fact that custom orders cannot be exchanged or returned. Instead, we like to send you an item that we regularly keep in stock for “trial sizing.”

We like to get a good fit the first time, and to do this we ask for specific measurements. Once we have those measurements, we would recommend a size. We would charge for the stock item and get it shipped right out to you.

Once you get the item, give us a call. We can then talk about the fit and you can determine what alterations you would need. (Any measurement given needs to be exact.) If you are not sure of the fit, try sitting on your bike to get a sense of how the item feels and the extent of the alterations needed. While on the telephone with you, we will place your special order. It generally takes 3-6 weeks to make and get shipped out to you.

Last, but not least, you just return the trial size item with the prepaid return label. We keep the original charge on your credit card and will on the box and ship your trial item back to us. Once your special order item is ready, we only charge you for the additional alteration fees. If you provided us with an e-mail address, you will receive the tracking number from UPS when it is shipped.

One of the things that people really seem to like is having photos of us on the website. I’ve had customers say, “I’m looking at you right now! You are in the red, right?!” I want to say no because it is such a terrible photo.

Okay, quick funny story: A customer e-mailed once asking me which one I was. I told him that I was the one laying down in the front. (With much humor intended, we got a laugh out of that.)

Seriously, I really don’t look like I did before. Hopefully next year I will look even better (keep wishing in one hand).

We are working on getting an updated photo posted on the website itself, so bear with us. Until then, Tammy was nice enough to take some photos when she was photographing us for the upcoming contest.

So, for my Texan friend Gary, these are for you. Enjoy.

This was us then:

(Back left to right: Paul, Chippy, Scarlett, Melinda, Bernie, Lisa. Front: Eddie with Cleo)

This is us now:

(Back left to right: Tammy, Ashley, Melinda, Paul, Chippy, Kevin. Front: Scarlett)

Imagine this, it’s December 19th…cold and wintery…pond frozen over (yep, this is the view out my window - I do love my job)…

‘Tis the Monday before Christmas and all through the shop,

All of Paul’s employees were shipping a lot.

The boxes were stacked to the ceiling with care,

Hoping that Fedex or UPS would soon be there.

Okay, okay. I’ll stop. Seriously, to the ceiling! We were proud to have our largest shipping day ever! The proof is in the photos.

(Melinda, Paul, Eddie, Scarlett, & Ashley with boxes.)

Thank you for your business and continuing support.

Not to say that there is a right or a wrong way to put on your chaps. If you have a system that works, then keep on keeping on. For newbies, we put together a quick “How To” piece on putting your chaps on and included some great fitting tips.

The first main tip is: Do not worry about the chaps touching the floor during any part of this procedure. They more than likely will end up there and should if you are doing this correctly.

• Unzip and unsnap both legs of the chaps.
• Grab the top of the chaps between the lacing and the back of the right leg with your right hand. Make sure the inside of the right leg is facing you.
• Use your left hand to pass the male part of the zipper between your legs from front to back passing it to your right hand and you let go of the top.
• Grab the female part of the zipper in your left hand.
• Move the zippers to the front of your thigh well below the thickest part of your thigh and zip the right leg.

• Position the zipper towards the outside rear of the leg. Do not pull the chaps up on your leg, yet.
• Pass the belt and the left leg of the chaps straight across behind you to your left leg just above the knee.
• Pass the female part of the zipper from front to back between the legs passing it to your left hand.

• Move the zippers to the front of the thigh and zip the left leg.
• Position the zipper to the outside of the leg towards the rear.

• Pull the chaps up and buckle them. Squat down and stretch them out like you are trying to bust them. Get in a catcher’s position and bounce.

The zipper is on the outside rear of the leg because that is where it is most protected from wind and rain.

A good fit in the thigh would be if you can (just) fit your hand between your thigh and the chaps leg. When your hand is in there, you should not be able to move it around or wiggle your fingers.

You would want the belt to fasten in one of the middle grommet holes. If you are in the very first or last grommet hole, try to adjust the laces to allow for maxium fit and comfort.

Just so that you know, wherever your body puts pressure on the chaps they will stretch (where there is no pressure they will not stretch). After time they will form to you and give you the lived in feel that you desire.

If the chaps are too long, you can trim them to fit. We ask that you make sure that you have a good waist and thigh fit before trimming because once you trim the chaps we cannot take them back. The seams are glued and sewn to keep the thread from unraveling and of course the leather does not fray. Remember that it is better to cut twice than to cut too much.

If you are unsure of the fit, just give us a call.

Thanks to Chippy for the great modeling.

Cancer claimed the life of our beloved co-worker, Bernadene Bennett this past year. In four months we went from having an active young woman to a memory. Even as time passes, it is still hard to believe that she is gone from our lives.

Bernie helped grow Fox Creek Leather into what it is today. An excellent employee, she had a keen business sense and a dedication to continually improve our company. If she didn’t know how to do something or if something was not working as it should, Bernie would not quit until she mastered the situation/program/idea. In one word: Mrs. Efficiency.

Outside of work, she continued to prove how she was a loving mother, a dedicated wife, and a good friend. When I was hired, Bernie trained me at FCL. A little bossy I thought, but great at teaching and even better at laughing. So over the weeks we started talking. Being close to the same age, we shared many common interests and experiences.

As I came to know her, Bernie made an impact on my life. She made me want to be a better employee at work, a better cook at home, and to seriously contemplate joining weight watchers. Through her illness, she made me promise to go to the doctor over ignored symptoms. I finally did. I also want to live a healthier lifestyle and make better choices.

Melinda and I talk about Bernie occasionally, but she comes to mind daily. It amazes me at how fast she was taken. We laugh at good times shared. We cry at times we lost.

Bernie and I both loved NASCAR racing, just not the same drivers. Bernie and Chippy went to Martinsville in April of 2005 (complements of UPS) to watch qualifying in the UPS box. She was so excited even when showing me the photographs. She took this one:

(Melinda and I went this year and agreed that it was so nice that she got to experience this event.)

We really bonded the most over our love of food (although Bernie was way more health conscience than myself). Man, this lady could cook. She enjoyed sharing meals with the office staff. Bernie was so thoughtful; she would never miss baking you a birthday cake.

When going to place an office supply order today, the woman asked if I was Bernie. My heart stopped for a split second, and you know, I’m not Bernie, but I do wish that I was more like her in many ways. She has taken a place in my heart and I will remember and cherish our short time together for always.