Repair and Restore

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Services

Here at LCS you can get your knits replaced, tears fixed, leather restored- all in one place. Owner, Dena Hamilton has been working with leather for 51 years now. We love leather, care about our customers, and enjoy attending to the smallest details of your leather garment.

When you send your jacket in to us, we offer you CUSTOMIZED service with CHOICES. We offer more than one size zipper, more than one type of fabric and interlinings (degrees of warmth) for relining your jacket. We also offer a full array of repair services so your don't get your jacket back with a new zipper - and still a small tear, hole in the pocket, or maybe a small area of seam that has split open.

Leather CARE Specialists may not be the least expensive company out there, but we'll make sure you get what you pay for!

Our Ship Now page will guide you through the process of sending and receiving your leather item.

vintage motorcycle jacket restoration
Left: A vintage motorcycle jacket—let's save it! Right: We also lengthened the sleeves. Ready for more years of wear!
brown jacket restoration
G1 flight jacket in need of repair G1 flight jacket in need of repair, back view G1 flight jacket restored

The left arm on the G-1 flight jacket above was stiff and stuck straight out. (Fortunately it was not brittle.)I patched the large hole on arm with matching goatskin. Amazingly, the family had the original squadron VAW-111 patch, so we were able to use it to cover the hole over the front pocket. Looks like Jesse Bohannon was very pleased with this meaningful restoration gift from his son! (color difference is due to camera and lighting variances. It remained the original color)


Hi, Dena, wanted to let you know that we presented the restored flight jacket to my girlfriend's 97 year old uncle (Elliott) this past weekend. He was absolutely shocked by the incredible work you did!! He called it a "miracle". You made this World War II veteran pilot incredibly happy!! He wore it practically all the time for the three days we were with them! See photo attached. Thank you for doing such a great job on the jacket. I will definitely be recommending you to any friends and family that need work done! Thank you so much.

This is why we do what we do!!!

(see photo of Elliot in his jacket below)

We replaced the mouton collar and replaced the knit cuffs and waistband in this original G-1 flight jacket sent for leather repair and restoration. We also replaced the zipper with NOS (New Old Stock), replaced the lining and a button, repaired a hole in the leather, went over the stitching, and refurbished the leather. Looks like it was worth it!

Elliot wearing his restored jacket

Our replacement knits are the highest quality, heavy, custom knit here in the USA specifically for the G-1 and A-2 jackets. (They look great on any jacket!)

We use USA YKK solid brass zippers with an antique finish for most jackets. If you want a NOS zipper (new-old stock), be advised that these zippers are quite pricey because they have to be ordered from the only company that I know of that makes them- and they are in Japan.


Pat Murphy's flight jacket restoration images

This A-2 leather jacket we restored for for Patrick Murphy. While it was not restored to a wearable condition - because the leather was crumbling in places - it was made presentable for a lasting display.

We specialize in full or partial restorations of both military and civilian, vintage and newer, leather JACKETS. Click HERE for our contact and shipping information.



(If you need help with bags, luggage, etc. please contact my colleague Jeff Moses at Shoe Biz Shoe Repair Inc. in Peoria, IL. 309-692-5414)


Reviews

Dena,
I am so pleased. You have exceeded my expectations! It easy to see why you have such a great reputation for Flight Jacket restoration.
I’m tempted to move closer to Arctic Circle and wear them constantly. Yet their condition and your craftsmanship are of museum quality.The seem irreplaceable; I’m almost afraid to expose them to the elements.

Thank you!
Cordially, James F. Roy III
Director of Presidential Services
Dena, WOW!!! So awesome!!! Thank you so much for repairing my leathers!!! I just received them and I love the work that you have done!! It is so hard to find people that take pride in their work and care as much as you. I really appreciate everything you have done to give these leathers new life.I will be sure to spread the word about how great, Great Leather is. With much thanks,Tim Terrio (this was for work on a motorcylce jacket and riding pants)
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate what you did on my A-2. The work is superb! I had the good fortune of dropping off and picking up in person, so I was able to see firsthand what a first class operation you have. It is a real testimony to you and your staff that you get leather products to clean/repair from around the world. Again Thank you. P.S. Give Joe and your dog a treat from us. Paul Kruse
Hi, Dena. The jacket arrived yesterday and we are absolutely stunned. You did such a beautiful job on it. The collar matches the rest of the leather so perfectly that no one will ever know it was damaged. And the redye and conditioning made the leather look like new, yet without losing the patina that makes it special. Thank you a thousand times over. I will recommend Great Leather to everyone I know. Best regards, Karen Hall
I was really happy that Dena was able to restore my old, beloved leather coat so nicely. I was on the verge of getting rid of it because the color had worn off so badly and the cuffs were really frayed - this thing was a rag. She re-dyed it and carefully repaired the cuffs with banding, and now I feel like I have a brand-new coat. For a tremendous amount of work it was quite affordable, and the entire transaction was very smooth and professional. I would happily recommend Great Leather to anyone ready to give up on a favorite leather jacket or coat. Sandy Malloy
Dena, The jacket came out as perfectly as I could have imagined it. When considering something like a World War II US Navy bomber jacket, I think you have a dilemma between leaving it as it is and placing it in a display case for posterity -- where its value may be arguably higher -- or restoring it and allowing it to be part of living history. I obviously would prefer the latter. I could tell from speaking with you about the jacket, and from the beautiful results, that yours are the best hands for this jacket to be in for it to receive the care that it deserves. The whole thing, including the knits, came out beautifully, and as I think you said yourself, the mouton collar is just perfect. I am honored every day that I wear this jacket and thank you for your special care and excellent and respectful restoration work. Best, Jonathan
Dena, I received my treasured leather jacket back today. I could not be more pleased with each of the individual repairs you made. The time you took to evaluate the damage and develop a plan to return it to its original condition reflected the mastery level of your craft. Your continued contact to keep me informed of progress along the way was first rate. The charges for such skill and attention to detail were very reasonable. If ever I should find myself in need of any leather services, I will not hesitate to contact you again. With deepest gratitude, Daniel Leyes
We recently had some leather items repaired by Great Leather. The repairs they did for us were nothing short of miraculous. We shipped the garments because we live in another state, and it was totally worth it. We could not be happier. I spoke with the owner several times over the phone and via e-mail and she is extremely knowledgeable and skilled, not to mention super nice. They are also very reasonably priced. I would recommend Great Leather highly. We are so happy that we found out about Great Leather. They not only saved our leather items but restored them. I rarely feel this way about any business, but I really do wish I could give them more than 5 stars, because their service and quality is exceptional!
Hi Dena, I received the leather flight suit, and my husband and I are absolutely thrilled. Your hard work, expert knowledge and care is truly evident. Your restoration on the antique leather flight suit is better than I could have imagined, or even hoped for. It is truly amazing! The leather looks supple and beautiful once again. I cannot thank you enough. I am recommending you to all of my friends and even posting about you on my facebook page. I look forward to using you in the future as well. Thank you so much for your amazing work. Thank You, Christina Montgomery
Hi Dena!I received my jacket last night and WOW! You are nothing short of a miracle worker!!!
The jacket and lining are incredible. You far exceeded my expectations and I couldn't be happier with the results. The attention to detail made the difference.
Also, I wanted to add that it was a true pleasure working with you and many THANKS for your extra efforts for the quick turnaround (obviously a lot of work).
THANKS again, all my best to you!!! John

Here's an unsolicited video review from customer Matt Johnson - "Majo" Thank you, Majo!