Send us a textIn this episode of The Sewing Social Podcast, we're joined by Karrie, co-founder of Priestleys Leather Goods, who takes us on a rich and inspiring journey into the art of leather crafting. With roots in art and fashion, Karrie shares how she and her husband, James, turned their crea...
Send us a text
In this episode of The Sewing Social Podcast, we're joined by Karrie, co-founder of Priestleys Leather Goods, who takes us on a rich and inspiring journey into the art of leather crafting. With roots in art and fashion, Karrie shares how she and her husband, James, turned their creative vision into a sustainable, small-batch leather business that values craftsmanship, community, and conscious design.
We dive into what makes handcrafted leather goods so special — from the slow, detailed process behind each piece to the thoughtful materials they choose. Karrie opens up about the real challenges of running a modern ethical brand, the stories that inspire her designs and how she's using her platform to give back, through workshops and outreach programmes designed to support military families and young creatives.
Whether you're curious about sewing with leather, building a sustainable business, or just love hearing the story behind the stitch, this is an episode not to miss.
Key Takeaways:
- Karrie and James founded Priestley's, a handcrafted leather goods company.
- Karrie's background is in teaching and she studied art and fashion.
- Leather is a forgiving material, allowing for mistakes to be corrected.
- The leather industry has a supportive community willing to share skills.
- Leather crafting is on the endangered crafts list.
- Sustainability is a core value for Priestley's, using vegetable-tanned leather.
- The business story is rooted in military life and personal connections.
- Karrie aims to create timeless designs that are not trend-driven.
- Crafting has significant mental health benefits.
- Future plans include workshops and outreach for military families and young people.
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Guest details:
Instagram: @priestleysleathergoods
Website: www.priestleys.uk
Email: [email protected]
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Priestley's Leather Goods
01:32 Karrie's Journey into Leather Crafting
05:02 The Community of Leather Crafting
09:51 The Leather Crafting Process
13:37 The Story Behind the Business
17:59 Design Inspiration and Process
20:16 Challenges in Leather Crafting
22:36 Sustainability in Leather Goods
26:25 Future Plans for Priestley's Leather Goods