The Art of Leather Workshops with Kattasche

Join costume designer and leather artisan Katja Handt (Kattasche) for three art of leather events:

Sustainable or Arguable? Join Katja and a panel of other artists working in leather for a discussion about the place of leather as a material in a modern fashion and craft world. What is the point of pursuing a slow-paced heritage craft? What are vegan leather alternatives? How and where is leather actually sourced and processed? Free event.

The Art of Colouring Leather: Learn basic techniques of dyeing and marbling leather and create a small card holder from sustainably sourced Australian kangaroo leather. Cut, colour, saddle stitch and set hardware on your own custom leather goods. Suitable for beginners.

Moulding leather in hot beeswax: Lift your cosplay game and learn to mould leather in hot beeswax as an alternative to wet moulding to create pieces of leather armour or jewellery. All materials provided. 

• Craft Up Late: Sustainable or Arguable? Panel discussion Thursday 12 October 6-8pm.

• Workshops: Saturday 21 October, see website for bookings and event details

This event is part of the Sydney Craft Week Festival 6-15 October 2023.

SCW is an Australian Design Centre initiative. View the complete festival program.

Images: Katja Handt, Cardholder making, 2022. Photo: courtesy the artist. Katja Handt, Cardholder, 2022. Photo: courtesy the artist. Katja Handt, Caspian's Leather Armour, 2007. Photo: courtesy the artist. Katja Handt, Dyeing Leather. Photo: Dida Sundet