Discovering Leaf Leather!

What Is Leaf Leather? 

Leaf leather is new to me, so perhaps it's new to you too. Leaf leather is an innovative plant-based leather alternative made from tree leaves! Isn't that cool?

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Leaf leather lovers say it's better than traditional leather because it's more environmentally friendly and created from tree leaves so it doesn't require harming animals. 

Tree Tribe Offers Handcrafted Teak Leaf Accessories

I discovered Leaf leather on the Tree Tribe blog

Did you know that leaf leather can be made just as strong and durable as animal leather? It can even be made water-resistant! 

Leaf Leather - How Do They Make it?

Wondering how leaves are made into leather?  Here is how Teak leaf leather: is made by Tree Tribe:

1. First,  sustainably harvested Teak leaves are collected from fallen leaves. No trees are harmed in the process 
2. Next, the leaves are soaked in water, and dyed,.
3. After that, the leaves are arranged flat together and set out to dry. This bonds the leaves together and makes a large sheet of leaf material. 
4. The next step is to amend the leaf material with cotton fabric to provide a soft interior backing and structure. A thin translucent outer layer made from a non-toxic BOPP film is also applied that seals the leaf layer and protects it while maintaining the texture and feel of the leaves. This layer also provides waterproofing, durability, and longevity. 
5. With the leaf leather material complete and strengthened, it can now be sewn into accessories.

The whole process from leaf to leather takes  five days. Then after the leather is created it can take up to an hour to create one of the handcrafted items Tree Tribe offers.

Teak Leaves Become Handcrafted Accessories -Tree Tribe Leaf Leathers

Apparently, you can use a variety of plants (and fungi) to make plant-based leather - tree leaves, pineapple leaves, mushrooms, soybean waste, even kombucha!  Tree Tribe chose Teak leaves for many of their products for three reasons.:

1. Teak leaves are huge.
2. Teak leaves can be harvested sustainably.
3. Teak Leaves' natural designs live on permanently in the product. 

 

Handcrafted Leaf Leather Travel Kit -Tree Tribe Leaf Leathers

Leaf Leather - History 

The entire process of handcrafting Teak leaf leather is a traditional hand made art from Thailand. Tree Tribe partners with a small family business of Thai artisans and skilled seamstresses that share eco-friendly values and have a passion for quality crafting.
Every piece is unique, so the Tree Tribe leaf leather gear designs are truly one of a kind - you get a unique piece of art that shows the beautiful variances of nature.  

If you want to get in on some leaf leather goodness check out a wide range of Tree Tribe Leaf Leather accessories here:

About Tree Tribe 

Tree Tribe is an outdoor lifestyle brand that plants a tree on every sale. They create consciously and draw inspiration from nature. Tree Tribe is on a mission to plant millions of trees and make a positive impact on the world. So far they've planted over 400,000 trees in 12 countries!  Tree Tribe is a US-based company but they're spread all over the planet and always looking for their next adventure.

Thanks to Charlene on Facebook for asking some great questions about leaf leather to help make this post more interesting!

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