Leather Work

What is leather?

Leather is animal skin that people clean, treat and use to make useful things like sandals, bags and belts. In Kenya, many communities used cow, goat or camel hides for clothes, shoes and decorations.

Some Kenyan examples

• Maasai: beaded leather sandals and belts.
• Kamba: small leather bags and pouches for farming tools.
• Pastoral groups: hides used as mats, shields and clothing.

Tools and materials (simple)

You can start with old leather from a bag or a small piece of craft leather. With an adult, use:

• ✂️ Scissors (for cutting)
• 🪡 Thick needle and strong thread (for sewing)
• ✏️ Pencil or chalk (to draw patterns)
• 🎨 Paint or markers (to decorate)
• 📏 Ruler and small hole punch or awl (to make holes)

Basic steps to make a simple leather item

1. Clean the leather: wipe with a damp cloth and let dry.
2. Draw the shape: use pencil or chalk to draw where to cut.
3. Cut carefully: cut along the line (adult help if needed).
4. Make holes: use a hole punch or awl to make sewing holes.
5. Sew pieces together: use strong thread and a big needle.
6. Decorate: add beads, paint, or burn small patterns (adult only).

Decoration ideas

Kenyan crafts often use bright patterns and beads. Try:

• Bead lines like Maasai patterns 🔴⚪🔵
• Simple paints: stripes, dots or animal shapes 🐘
• Stamping: press small carved stamps into soft leather

Simple project: Make a leather coin pouch

This is a safe, fun project. Use thin leather or an old leather wallet. Ask an adult for help with cutting and punching holes.

1. Draw a rectangle 10 cm x 8 cm. Round one short end for a flap.
2. Cut out the shape. Fold the longer sides up so the flap can close.
3. Punch three holes along each side where the flap meets the body.
4. Sew the sides from bottom to top, tying a knot at the start and end.
5. Decorate the front with paint or beads. Add a button or loop to close.

Safety tips

• Always work with an adult when using sharp tools.
• Keep needles and scissors in a safe box when not in use.
• Use non-toxic paints and glue.

Caring for leather

Wipe leather with a soft cloth. Keep it dry and away from strong sun. If leather gets very dry, an adult can rub in a little oil (like coconut oil) to soften it.

Fun facts

• Leather can last many years when cared for.
• Kenyan craftspeople often mix leather with beads, seeds and colourful threads.
• Each community has special patterns that tell stories about animals, family or the land.

Try this at home

Look for old leather items at home (like an old belt). With permission and an adult, see if you can cut a small shape and decorate it. Make a keyring, a coin pouch, or a tiny bookmark.