Hands-on-Workshop: Leather Working at Landis Valley

Maximum # of students: 8

In this introductory workshop to leather working, students will make a reproduction leather document case, based on an original owned by a shoemaker in the 1740’s. Skills and information will be taught in the following:

• Shop safety;
• Understanding types of leather and their uses;
• Basic cutting, paring, and other knife-work skills;
• Types of hand-tools and their various uses;
• The basic shoemaker’s stitch (and introduction to other kinds of hand-stitching);
• Inscribing, burnishing, and basic finishing of leather;
• Conditioning and care of leather, for long use.

For ages 14 and up only with parental or guardian supervision. [Waiver required for minors.]

Students should bring dress comfortably in clothing that can be potentially stained.  All tools are provided for the duration of the class, and tools will be made available for purchase.  Students are welcome, however, to bring their own tools, if they have them.  Students should also bring notebooks and pencils, for taking notes.