Make gorgeous leather with plant tannins. We’ll each tan one thin hide (goat, sheep, or deer) from start to finish using tea that we make from plant tannin. Day 1, we’ll flesh and dehair a limed hide and set it up to delime overnight. We’ll start our tannin tea so it is ready for the following day. Day 2, we’ll get our hides tanning, (and keep them tanning), talk all things tannin, and take a field trip to identify and harvest from local tannin sources. Finally, we’ll dress, dry and finish our hides. This type of tanning is physically easy compared to brain tanning, but understanding the details of the process is key! We’ll finish with a beautiful smooth grain leather and the knowledge to make leather from local hides and plants. This course requires an ability to stand for long periods of time and do moderate physical activity that includes hand work.

Required Tools

• Knife

Optional Tools

• None

Note, this class is part of Hide Week 2026. It encompasses the Tanners Conference Day, May 15, when formal instruction will take a break in order for students to participate in demonstrations, speakers, and community gatherings. Class will conclude on May 16.