Relief embroidery on leather is traditionally used in Austria to create decorative patterns on the surface of the leather used in Lederhosen. The embroidery thread does not pass through the material, instead it is stitched back and forth, pulling together the leather and creating a “bump” (germ. “wulst”). This bump also serves a purpose of protecting the thread from wear and tear that comes from rubbing on the surface of the material. Because of this, even word-out Lederhosen retain their embroidery to a great extent.

Video:

Images of relief embroidery on various leather products at Leder Eisl in Salzburg, Austria:

Process

First pattern is translated from paper template with chalk powder, then pattern is traced with Gummi Arabikum mixed in water to keep the pattern for long enough to do the embroidery.

…to be continued…