The five trades of the workshop
At the heart of the Sac du Berger workshop, five leather professions and wool live and work together. However, adopting the principles of craftsmanship, each person makes his or her own object from start to finish. Visits to the workshop (daily at 3.30pm from June to October, other periods by appointment) provide an insight into the methods and techniques used to make the objects.
Saddler
Originally, the Saddler-Bourrelier makes saddles and harnesses for horses and, in our region, saddlery. CévennesHe also made a bag at the request of shepherds. In our workshop, the saddler mainly makes the Shepherd's bagin five sizes and three colors (fawn, black and red).
The shepherd's bag has remained unchanged in shape and manufacturing technique for at least two centuries, if not three. It's cut from full-grain cowhide, dyed full aniline and waterproofed in the bath.
Thirty pieces of leather cut and assembled. A central part in hard leather and thick structure. Around it, a very supple leather and a finishing technique called "bordage": a 3cm-wide strip of leather is sewn onto the outer parts of the bag most exposed to friction.
The bag is mounted upside downThe pieces are joined by a very large seam. Once the bag has been turned inside out, the seam is on the inside and therefore protected from wear. The balance between rigid and supple leathers, between structure and movement, is certainly the secret of this bag's longevity over the decades, not to say centuries.
Leather goods
La Maroquinière makes a wide range of luggage and small leather goodsfor leisure or professional use.
Each item is crafted in full grain cowhide and fully lined in pigskin to guarantee its solidity and nobility.
The workshop is involved in valorization of skin scraps resulting from the cutting of parts of larger items. These pieces are used to make small leather goods. These thick leather pieces are slit to produce finer, more supple leather. All the pieces are then passed to the pareuse to prepare the edges for sewing.
Special leather sewing machines are then required.
Proud of its know-how, Le sac du Berger works with other French players. For example, we produce leather belts for our partner : Atelier Tuffery.
Clothing Manufacturing
In the tradition of transhumance, the shepherd's only luggage is a sack, but he is also equipped with a waterproof, windproof cape made from pure wool, which ensures comfort and warmth when he spends the night under the stars, close to his flock.
The Shepherd's cape and other capes and jackets in full woollen, leather or cowhide are made in the workshop.
From an existing model, it is possible to make modifications to the garments, however, a feasibility study and costing of the work will be carried out beforehand.
Clothing manufacturing
In the tradition of transhumance, the shepherd's only luggage is a sack, but he is also equipped with a waterproof, windproof cape made from pure wool, which ensures comfort and warmth when he spends the night under the stars, close to his flock.
The Shepherd's cape and other capes and jackets in full woollen, leather or cowhide are made in the workshop.
From an existing model, it is possible to make modifications to the garments, however, a feasibility study and costing of the work will be carried out beforehand.
Sheepskin work
Lainé skin is sheepskin tanned with wool, also known as "double-sided skin".
Sheepskin leather, with its "peach-skin" feel, is tanned with wool for unrivalled softness and warmth.
Lined slippers, vests for adults or children, mittens, gloves... the woolly skin warms even the coldest of hearts all season long.
It provides warmth and comfort while letting your skin breathe.