Sheepskin Rugs | British Sheepskins | 25+ Colours – Page

These beautiful plush genuine Sheepskin Rugs are expertly selected and hand graded, then trimmed and hand finished in our own workshops. Each Sheepskin Rug is a Grade “A” quality with a deep pile averaging 2-3 inches making excellent bed and fireside rugs. British Sheepskins tend to be slightly larger, and have a thicker wool pile, this is why they are slightly more expensive than other sheepskins often seen on the market.

The Craft Behind Every Sheepskin

Each Lambland sheepskin represents hours of careful craftsmanship and multiple detailed stages - from the arrival of the raw salted hide to the final soft, supple, beautifully finished piece you see today.

Every step - washing, tanning, dyeing, drying and finishing - requires skill, time, and care, ensuring that each sheepskin is naturally unique, durable, and luxuriously soft.

See below to discover the journey each sheepskin takes before it reaches you.

STAGE 1

Arrival & Sorting

Freshly shorn or flayed sheepskins arrive at the tannery in a salted raw form to preserve them. The skins are sorted by size, quality, and wool type (e.g., long wool, short curly wool, medical-grade, etc.) before processing begins.

STAGE 2

Soaking & Washing

The skins are soaked in water to remove salt, blood, and dirt, then cleaned with mild detergents to restore flexibility. This rehydrates the fibres and prepares the skin for tanning.

STAGE 3

Fleshing & Pickling

Any remaining fat or tissue is mechanically removed in the fleshing stage. The skins are then pickled in a mild acid and salt solution, which stabilises the fibres and lowers the pH to prepare for tanning.

STAGE 4

Tanning

The actual tanning process transforms the perishable hide into durable leather. Chrome or vegetable tanning agents are added to bind with the collagen fibres, giving the sheepskin its strength, softness, and resistance to decay.

STAGE 5

Neutralising, Dyeing & Fatliquoring

After tanning, the skins are neutralised to balance acidity, then dyed in the chosen colour. Oils and conditioners (called fatliquors) are added to keep the leather soft, supple, and flexible.

STAGE 6

Drying, Staking & Ironing

The dyed skins are gently dried under controlled conditions, then mechanically “staked” or softened to restore their natural loft and flexibility. Finally, they are ironed or combed to align the wool fibres and enhance the smooth, lustrous finish.

STAGE 7

Finishing & Grading

Each sheepskin is brushed, trimmed, and inspected for quality. They may be lightly sheared to even out the wool pile or treated for specific textures (e.g., curly, short, or long). The finished sheepskins are then graded, packed, and ready for use in car seat covers, home décor, clothing, or medical products.