Plant-based Leather Workshop
Recently, I took a workshop in Hong Kong, hosted by Monica from The Lovely Things Store, learned all about alternative leather, and got to work with coconut leather (also known as Malai). I was familiar with the concept of vegan leather prior to the workshop, but I never really thought much about how and what it is made from.
I’m excited to share a bit about what I learned and to share some of the steps towards making a business card holder
that I gifted to my husband on our second wedding anniversary this year!
So…What is the difference between vegan and plant-based leather?
Let me start off by saying, the fact that there are so many alternative options to genuine leather…is AMAZING, and the fact that we can now debate which alternative option is “better” and more eco-friendly is awesome! So…let’s dive in.
VEGAN VS. PLANT-BASED LEATHER
Vegan leather is a synthetic material that feels and looks “leather-like.” Unfortunately, it is most commonly made with polyurethane which is code for PLASTIC.
Plant-based leather is a more innovative and sustainable material that can be made from pineapple leaves, cork, banana leaves, coconut fibers, cactus, apple peels, and other fruit waste.
*During the workshop I learned from Monica, that one downside of working with these leathers is that they can be quite expensive due to the technology and new innovation used to create them, which in turn can make them less accessible for small businesses and artisans to work with.
In the workshop I got to work with coconut leather, so let’s chat more about that!
I’m going to share some of the processes with you …
and hope that I can remember the name of the tools (but that’s unlikely).
So what exactly is coconut leather?
Our workshop teacher, Monica was incredibly knowledgeable about all things plant-based leathers. She also has a ton of great information about Malai (coconut leather) as well on her website which I’ve linked here for you if you want to learn more!
But, here are the basics:
An amazing startup company in India developed a way to turn coconut water waste into an eco-leather material
When coconut water is produced, the byproducts (or leftovers) are typically dumped, which actually negatively impacts the health of the soil.
The coconut water waste is fermented (similar to kombucha), and then blended with other natural plant-based materials (e.g. banana fibers, hemp, agave leaves)
No plastic or harsh chemicals are used in this process making it 100% compostable
Step 1 Practice
We began with a practice piece so that we could get comfortable working with the material, using all of the new tools, and sewing construction methods.
Many of the tools are the same as you would use when working with genuine leather goods.
What does coconut leather feel like?
Compared to genuine leather, coconut leather has a bit of flexibility and movement but is quite stiff. I also learned that it will not soften or “age” over time like a genuine leather material. However, there was a tool we used to help with this…
A bevel (also used in genuine leather construction) helps to round the edges and give the finished product a nice clean look. It also helps to soften the firm edges that are quite common with plant-based leathers, so this is a great way to achieve a similar look and feel to leather.
The bevel tool is pictured here
below the yellow lighter
*I also want to point out how unique the material is…if you look closely you can see all of the different plant fibers in the material. No item made from coconut leather will look exactly the same since this is a natural material which I find to be really cool!
It’s plant-based and compostable, so how durable can it really be?
The great thing about Malai is that it is water-resistant and the material is quite thick. I do not know for certain because my husband has only used it for a few weeks, but I can imagine that it will last just as long as any other wallet out there.
This business card holder was constructed with the same tools and sewing methods as traditional leather, so I know that those things will all hold up!
We used the saddle-stitching method (which is the go-to stitch when hand sewing leather goods), it’s an incredibly durable stitch and we used a thick wax thread which we then melted in place, so I’m quite confident that this will stand the test of time!
Final thoughts…
Be on the lookout for more plant-based leather friends. I have a feeling we will be seeing more of them soon!
I am so thankful I got the opportunity to take this workshop, learn more about sustainability, and share it with you!
I loved this workshop and I’m smiling while writing this for you all because in the process I got to spend time with a new friend, met Monica, got to be a bit creative, and was invited to a beach cleanup! ALL GREAT THINGS… and by taking this workshop I feel a bit closer to a community in Hong Kong which is something I’ve really been yearning for since moving here.
