Handcrafting Leather Luxury with Karrie from Priestleys Leather Goods

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. Follow me: Instagram : @thesewingsocialpod @thedalythread Tiktok : thesewingsocialpod If you've enjoyed this episode and appreciate the work I'm doing, please Tip me on Ko-fi : https://ko-fi.com/thesewingsocialpod Also, feel free to get in touch - you can text the show (available through your podcast provider on each episode) or email: thesewingsocialpod@gmail.com Guest details: Instagram: @priestleysleathergoods Website: www.priestleys.uk Email: priestleysuk@gmail.com 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