so coming back after a long absence (pre-3.0), all the old tanning supplies i had (lotions, scrapers, patterns, shears, bodkins, thread) is no longer relevant and can be dumped? and i should look in to tailoring to create leather armor?

Leather armor is covered in the outfitting society with tailoring. Buy a tailoring book and the tools you'll need should be listed throughout that book. I think some of the old tools can be used. Don't think bodkins are used anymore, but I could be wrong.

---

We cling to our own point of view, as though everything depended on it. Yet our opinions have no permanence; like autumn and winter, they gradually pass away.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/autumn