W14

Fundamentals of leather processing

Fri 12th – Sun 14th March 2027

Since the time of hunter-gatherers, leather has accompanied us as one of the very first textile surface materials. This material is unique in the versatility of its forms. From buttery soft and flowing to rock hard, it can be used for the most diverse applications. Over the centuries, leather has undergone a shift in meaning, from an indispensable material for many areas of life to an exclusive luxury material.
This course will cover the basics of leather crafting using a small leather item (e.g. simple wallets, mobile phone cases etc.) made from thin vegetable-tanned leather. Vegetable-tanned leather is a firm, usually natural-coloured smooth leather. Basic knowledge of leather and tools will be taught, along with designing and planning your own project including patterns, correct material selection, cutting, dyeing leather, skiving and polishing edges, fitting fasteners (press studs, button rivets etc.), and the saddle stitch. We will focus on purely manual techniques that require only a few tools. Tools will be provided, but you are also welcome to bring your own. Should you wish to acquire your own equipment, you can purchase the most important tools from the course instructor.

Group of participants:all interested parties
Requirements:craftsmanship
Number of participants:max. 7 people
Course times:Fri: 17:00-20:00, Sat: 09:00-13:00 and 14:30-18:00, Sun: 09:00-13:00
Course fee:230 Euros, for students 210 Euros (excluding material costs)

Course management: TIM OLIVER FÖRSTER, Austria/Germany
Born in Göppingen/Germany in 1981, apprenticeship as a carpenter, studied technical crafts and textile design in Linz, self-taught in the field of leather design for over 20 years, teaching at the HBLA for artistic [design] since 2013
Design in Linz. Fairs and craft markets at home and abroad.
More info: www.foerster-taschen.de