The experts at Awl Together Leather provide leather workshops, facilitation and sustainability consulting in many ways! Part of our mandate is to educate the public on what shoe repair can provide as well as train the next generation of cobblers in as many ways as possible. Our past events have included tabling at mending events with major brands, travelling to the Yukon for on-site shoe repair, hosting in-person maker workshops, teaching a shoe-making and leatherwork university class, and being panelists for environmental and sustainability business conferences. View all our past events here.
We offer a few standard types of workshops or facilition:
Repair Workshop Collaborations
We partner with major brands such as Patagonia, Ice Breaker or local Zero Waste fairs to to provide on-site repair workshops or events. This could include leading a group through the theory and action of repairing items, providing on-site repairs to customers ourselves, or a combination of both! We provide these services for all types of repairs – leather, footwear, denim or canvas, lightweight garment darning (darning/Sashiko), or sporting equipment!
‘Make-a-Thing’ Workshop Facilitation
Workshops can be help in our East Vancouver studio, or in a space provided by you! We have portable sewing machines, spare tools and lots of experience teaching large and small groups. In the past, we have offered leather DIY classes on a variety of items. These include leading a group through making a journal cover, simple sandals, belts, wallets and more!
Additionally, we have taught classes on the “theory of leather”, such as leather care, how to identify faux leathers, how to turn your home-tanned leathers into professional items, etc.
1-on-1 Mentorship
We offer 1-1 mentorship in custom leatherworking, accepting students on the basis of their experience and the project you’d like to complete. For example, we’ve helped students create their first pair of sandals, improve their hand-stitching, or help pattern out a harness. Mentorship is charged at our shop rate an hour and requires a safety waiver to be signed. We can offer virtual Zoom mentorship, however, hands-on learning is best done in person.
Panelists or Public Speaking
Our senior staff frequently act as facilitators or speakers on panels, podcasts, or consulting groups. We’re able to talk on our work in sustainable business practices, working with the circular economy, shoemaking, cobbling and leather-in-general. For a full list of our media appearances, go here.
Shoe Shining Stand at Events
Hosting an event that could use a bootblack or shoe-shining stand? We offer this service! Our team can provide bootblacking or shoe-shining for professional events to motorcycle clubs! Our shoe-shine stand is made to be portable and sturdy, reinforced to fit all body types!
Hosting Community Events in Our Studio
Occasionally, we let a community group into our studio after-hours with supervision. If you’re looking for a space to host a mingling event that aligns with our values and accessibility audit, then please reach out!
