HANDS ON TRADITIONAL SKILLS AND WHERE TO LEARN THEM: What is it?Traditionally, leatherwork was the bags, shoes, belts and other creations that would last a lifetime, made using leather from Irish tanneries. Nowadays, like many other textile crafts, leatherwork is strongly influenced by fashion, changing from season to season, and the raw material is imported.
How is it done?First you have to choose your leather. "We buy our leather in the trade fairs in Bologna, in Italy, in June-July and come up with designs for the following season that best suit the leather we buy," says Conor Holden of Holden Leathergoods, in Co Kerry. "Because leather is a natural skin, it will have kick marks, scars, soft pieces from the belly of the hide and spine marks. You are really looking for character in the leather and need to work out which piece of leather will work in which part of the bag."
What's next?Having drawn your design on paper, you cut out the pattern in leather. "You need to shave, or pare down, the edges, so that the leather isn't too bulky at the joins. First, you make up the outside body and handles, and then the pockets. We will always put in a lipstick or pen loop and a phone pocket." Linings are made from suede, leather or fabric; brass and nickel clasps and catches are used to close the bags. "We use classical old sewing machines for forward and reverse stitching, as well as hands-on work with bench tools," says Holden.
How long does it take?A beginner will need the best part of a week to make a bag.
Where do I sign up?Holden Leathergoods, which is based near Dingle, gives five-day workshops in designing and making handbags. Open to beginners and to those with some experience, the courses teach the skills of cutting, preparing, sewing and assembling a leather bag of your own design. Participants will be shown a range of styles and work alongside craftspeople in the workshop. The price of €650 includes all materials and follow-up technical support if you're keen to continue to work with leather. The next course runs from June 27th to July 1st. Call 066-9151796; holdenleathergoods.com.
Another leatherworker, Cathy Prendergast, plans to start courses as part of Louth Creative Community Hub, in Dundalk. See the Designers Network and online-shop sections of louthcraftmark.com for more details of her handmade bags and other leather goods.
