Leatherwork: Crafting a Bag from Vegetable-Tanned Leather */**

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Instructor: Käthlin Palu

This workshop is dedicated to the art of leatherwork, focusing on the highly valued material of vegetable-tanned leather.

This method represents one of the most ancient forms of hide treatment, a tradition that has produced essential items for daily life across centuries. Vegetable-tanned leather inherently possesses desirable characteristics from the tanning process yet remains perfectly suited for transformation through coloring, forming, and shaping to achieve an entirely new aesthetic.

In this comprehensive workshop, participants will gain practical experience in crafting their own bespoke bag. You may select from pre-prepared patterns, or, if you possess prior experience, you are welcome to draft your own design while adhering to specified proportions.

You will learn to identify and skillfully utilize the necessary tools and techniques involved in leatherworking, covering essential steps such as:

• Marking and precise cutting.
• Decoration and detailed finishing.
• Professional assembly and sewing.

For decorative inspiration, we will draw upon the beautiful and symbolic traditional patterns of Kihnu national attire. Upon completion, you will proudly take home a finished, handcrafted bag.

Day 1: Foundation and Decoration

• Introduction to the workshop, comprehensive overview of tools, and process options
• Selection of the bag pattern
• Accurate cutting of leather pieces
• Experimentation with decorating options and tools, followed by the decoration of your bag (pieces are left to dry overnight)

Day 2: Assembly and Finishing

• Treatment and preparation of the decorated pieces
• Sewing the bag components
• Trimming and treating the edges, culminating in the final touches

All necessary materials are available on site. Please note there is an additional material cost for the high-quality vegetable-tanned leather: €35.

Meet the instructor

Käthlin Palu is a dedicated student of Native Textile at the Viljandi Culture Academy and a prominent Estonian entrepreneur deeply rooted in the cultural preservation and tourism development of Kihnu Island.

During her studies, Käthlin has developed a special focus on leatherwork, including tanning fish skins as a means of creating her own material from fish around Kihnu island.

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