Profile picture for user Kate Jackson Submitted by Kate Jackson on Thu, 12/20/2018 - 10:45

This week, the skilled and remarkable tailors of the Phoebus tailoring workshops visited Atout Cuir Studio. There they attended a masterclass in leather work from Ms. Chantal de Meeûs d’Argenteuil, our local tailoring instructor for the evening, and Mr. Mohammed Nabeel of Iraq, our refugee tailoring instructor. 

Ms. Chantal gave each of the participants the opportunity to use the tools in her workshop to practice various leather crafting techniques through making fine leather keychain accessories. She also spoke about the strength and durability of  good quality hand crafted leather products.

Mr. Nabeel brought a fantastic array of materials which are needed to create a leather bag from scratch. Mr. Nabeel worked as a leather craftsman for many years in Iraq before having to leave. Since arriving in Belgium he has given some classes in bag crafting to other refugees and is eager to get back to work. He skillfully demonstrated the steps and elements that are needed to make a beautiful women’s handbag. Mr. Nabeel also brought along an example of his work, an elegant black and white leather bag, which took him two weeks to craft by hand. He gifted this bag to his fellow workshop presenter, Ms. Chantal.

Overall it was a wonderful evening full of bright conversation and great questions. We are very excited for next week’s class in embroidery and decoration.