I cut clear plexy strips 1/4" - 2" every 1/8" in size 48" long. (A few are set to 1/16" dimensions.) I find many uses for them. They save a lot of time making beading and binding the correct size.
Is the leather very firm and almost crunchy where it turned white? I have had that happen to me before where I have heated the leather too hot and turned it white and crunchy.
Garret leather supplies the woven leather. It is very price over $700 per yard (or per foot I can not remember). I believe Singer gets their woven material from Spinneybeck leather
Roje leathers sells aligator and other exotic materials.
I also have not worked with aligator but have worked with lizard and that is dificult because it's thin and does not stretch.