RUGA - Gleann Abhann

Basic Medieval Leatherworking - DOM08A01

(Created by Etheldred Nic Eoghainn)

Level of Content: Beginning. Students need not have any background in leathercraft.

Estimated Length of Class: 2-3 hours, depending on amount of student participation and number of students in the class.

Course Description: This class will familiarize students with the various tanning methods for leather, differentiating between those available in the medieval period and those only available in the modern era. The class will also provide students with information regarding construction in leather (stitching, gluing, and riveting) as well as an overview of common SCA applications for items in leather. The majority of the class length will be dedicated to discussion and application of leather decoration methods, with emphasis on tooling and carving techniques. At least one hour of class time will be set aside for the student to work on their own piece.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this class, students should be able to:

1. Identify common types of tanned leathers and their characteristics;

2. Recognize leather construction methods;

3. Identify multiple SCA applications for leather;

4. Create a design for decorating leather;

5. Decorate a piece of leather through carving and tooling.

Suggested Teaching Resources:

Garnes, Jane E. The Complete Handbook of Leathercrafting. Malabar, FL: Robert E. Krieger Publishing Co., 1981

Waterer, John W. Leather in Life, Art and Industry. London: Faber and Faber, 1946.

Waterer, John W. Leather Craftsmanship. New York: G. Bell & Sons Ltd, 1968.

Waterer, John W. Leather and Craftsmanship. London: Faber and Faber, 1950.

Syllabus kindly created for RUGA by Etheldred Nic Eoghainn, 1/26/07.