Leatherwork

Leatherwork is the art of making things from leather. Leather comes from animal hides. Artists cut, stitch, and stamp it to make belts, bags, shoes, and wallets. People have worked with leather for thousands of years.

How Leather Is Made

First, animal skin is cleaned and treated. This process is called tanning. Tanning makes the skin soft and strong so it will not rot. Then the leather is cut into pieces. Artists use special tools to stamp designs, punch holes, and sew the pieces together.

Leather Around the World

Cowboys in America used leather for saddles, boots, and belts. In Morocco, leather is dyed bright colors and made into bags. In Japan, samurai armor was made partly from leather. Today, people still love leather goods because they are strong and last a long time.

Fun Facts

• People have been making leather for over 5,000 years.
• Leather can be dyed almost any color.
• The oldest leather shoe ever found is about 5,500 years old.

Did You Know?

Leather gets softer and more comfortable the more you use it. That is why old leather jackets feel so nice!