Persian Leather Bags & Shoes: Traditional Iranian Craftsmanship Guide

The reason for this popularity has been the high quality of leather products. In this article, far from any prejudice, we will compare the famous brands of Persian leather shoes and Types of Persian bags. It is not unreasonable to say that brands with more than 30 years in the market have more experience and popularity. But we should not forget that there are emerging brands (3 years old) in this field, which have a lot to say and challenge other brands.

What does the quality of leather depend on?

The skin of most animals can be turned into leather through a process called tanning. Leather can be obtained from several layers of skin.

If leather is obtained from the outermost layer of animal skin, in addition to being waterproof, it is softer. Therefore, full-grain leather is the most expensive type of leather available.

When lower-quality layers are used in leather production, the material loses both durability and water resistance.

Also, the central part of the animal’s body has the highest quality leather, and other parts, such as the shoulder, are used for the tongue of the shoe, and the belt due to the many wrinkles.

In the following, we will review the brands. It should be noted that the numbers next to the brands are not related to ranking. In the list below, you can see the best Persian brands for leather bags, shoes, and traditional crafts.

Leather bag sewing tutorial

To sew a leather bag, the artisan uses special sewing machines and needles designed for leather embroidery. Each model of leather bag has its own unique beauty and charm. Based on the previous articles, you can see the pattern of leather bags, felt bag sewing training and cloth bag sewing training. Moreover, In the continuation of this article, we have provided you, dear ones, with embroidered leather training for sewing hand-made leather bags and light leather bags.

Calligraphy art leather briefcase for men

How to Sew Leather Shoes: Tools and Materials

• Scissors: Strong leather scissors are used to cut various types of leather.
• Pre-hammer: This tool is essential for hammering during shoe production.
• Shoe Stretcher/Working Board: Used to shape the leather over the shoe mold.
• Cutter: Helps cut leather and lining accurately.
• Lewis Knife: Used for thinning leather (Lewis work). It removes thin layers to smooth or shape the edges. A sharp blade reduces hand pressure and improves precision.
• Knife Stone: Used for sharpening the Lewis knife. For best results, soak it in oil or water.
• Template & Shoe Mold: Essential for design and cutting. Molds come in various types and sizes based on shoe design and foot size.
• Outsole: Available in different materials and models. Matching the outsole to the mold and shoe model is crucial.
• Iron Glue: Ideal for gluing natural and synthetic leather, especially in traditional shoemaking.
• PU Adhesive: Used to attach the sole to the shoe body.
• Lining & Padding: Glued to the inner side of leather for structure and beauty. Natural leather can also be used for lining.
• Nail: A basic yet vital component in shoemaking.
• Dosant Paper Glue: Used to coat molds and apply shoe pattern designs.
• Pencil & Eraser: For drawing patterns on templates.
• Shoe Meter: Measures foot size and helps with pattern placement.
• Texon: Used inside the sole for structure.
• Heel Counter: A thin layer placed between the leather and lining for added heel support and structure.
• Sock Holder: Adds strength and keeps the shape of the shoe.

Types of Persian Bags and Leather

• Leather: The core material in both shoemaking and bag-making. Available in natural and synthetic types. Cowhide and goatskin are common natural options.
• Lining: Like in shoes, artisans use linings in bags to add beauty and structure. They often choose natural leather to create high-quality linings.