Birch Bark Satchel

Teachers: Andres and Imbi Rattasepp

Image

Andres Rattasepp (born 1970) graduated from Tallinn Pedagogical University as a teacher of arts and drawing in 2003. He completed his master’s studies in Native Crafts at University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy in 2014, with his master’s thesis titled “Estonian Birch-bark Satchels: Characteristics, Weaving Techniques and Possible Modern-Day Uses”. Andres has worked as a teacher of craft and technology, has supervised adult students at Tartu Folk High School and during various workshops, and he has also taught bark work. With his wife Imbi, he established NPO Luiga Käsitöötalu, the principal aim of which is to promote and popularise the so-called male handicraft.

The assistant and interpreter at the bark work course Imbi Rattasepp (born 1986) is a member of the board of Luiga Käsitöötalu. She is also a handicraft specialist who has taught adults at various workshops. Imbi graduated from Olustvere School of Service and Rural Economics in spring 2016 specialising in national handicrafts.

Image

The selection of items woven from birch bark has been extremely wide in Northern Europe where these have been traditionally made – from simple toys to shoes and satchels. In Estonia, birch bark weaving techniques have mainly been used in the north-eastern and south-eastern part of the country, but elementary bark working skills were probably among the skillset of every Estonian farm owner.

A satchel is a pouch closed with a flap, woven from birch bark strips and worn in Estonia mostly with a strap across a shoulder. Satchels were known to have been actively used at least from the middle of the 19th century until the beginning of the 20th century.

Image

Satchels were mainly used by farmers and shepherds for carrying daily provisions. Unfortunately, the tradition of passing on the skill of satchel making from father to son and from master to apprentice has disappeared and restoring it required thorough research from Andres.

The workshop will take a look at different types of satchels, the material and preparing it for work. We will create a small belt satchel of about 100 mm x 50 mm (bottom) and with a height of about 140 mm.

The participation fee includes the bark needed for making one satchel.
The workshop is suitable for students with previous experience in bark work or weaving other similar materials (fabric weaving experience might not be sufficient). 

Image

Image

Image