BERNINA Corporate Blog -Today I am introducing you to a wonderful material: cactus leather. In today’s world, where environmental awareness and sustainability play an increasingly important role, the fashion industry has focused more and more on the search for environmentally friendly materials and manufacturing processes. For the past years, a remarkable material has been gaining popularity: Cactus leather. This innovative and sustainable material not only offers aesthetic benefits, but also promises a vegan and ecological perspective in the fashion industry.
Cactus leather is a plant-based material obtained from the Nopal cactus, also known as Opuntia or prickly pear. This cactus, which grows mainly in Mexico and other dry regions of Latin America, has flat, fleshy leaves that are used to produce cactus leather. The material is produced by drying, crushing and pressing these leaves, resulting in a leather-like texture.
The idea of producing cactus leather was born as a response to the negative environmental impact of the traditional leather industry, such as animal farming, deforestation and environmentally harmful tanning processes. Cactus leather offers a sustainable alternative that is based on natural resources and meets the needs of modern society.
If you would like to read more about how this product is made, you can find more Info here. It is in German, but explained very well. And we try to answer the questions about processing and material science here: Material
You can use google translate to understand the process or look up how other companies manufacture cactus leather, but their process might differ from KorkundKulör.
I have 2 easy-to-sew purses for you to try out for the first time with this fabulously beautiful material. One is made from cactus leather and the other from Pinatex (pineapple leather). You can get the cactus leather in our shop korkundkuloer.de. If you wish to order the material without navigating the German website, you can also contact us directly via this email: [email protected]
We do ship worldwide!
We also gave away 4 material kits in the launch raffle of the Temperature Quilt Along, from which 2 purses of each variant can be sewn in cactus leather and in Pinatex. The following photos show you the differences between the two materials. Both are made from plants, both are vegan and sustainable.
Material requirements for the purses
- Cactus leather
- Pinatex
- Vliesofix
- Polyester sewing thread
- Press stud
- Leather edge color
Material preparation
To work with double layers of cactus leather, I bond it with Vliesofix. The vegan leather can be ironed at up to 170°C. The Vliesofix is placed on the back of the cactus leather and ironed on.
After cooling, the paper layer is removed and both layers of cactus leather are placed on top of each other. Both layers can now be ironed together – protect them with a layer of baking paper when ironing.
Making the template
This is the template for the first variant of the purses. Transfer the dimensions to a sturdy piece of paper. The middle block measures 11cm x 11cm. You can also download the pattern here: Cactus_Leather_Bag1_A4_EN
I have finally acquired a suitable curve ruler for rounding the flap. Up to now I have used large spools of thread, rolls of glue etc. for this.
The next two photos show how easy it is to fold the purse.
Edge sealing
Transfer the template of the purse with tailor’s chalk or pencil onto the leather and cut out exactly. The edges of the cactus leather can then be sealed with leather edge paint. A brush is fitted in the bottle cap of the edge paint I use, to make it very easy to apply the paint along the edge.
Sewing
The shape is encircled with a triple stitch (3mm). The Blindstitch Foot #5 is suitable for this…
…or the Straight Stitch Foot with Non-Stick Sole #53 is particularly good.
Assembling the purses
You can sew the two-color pattern together in two different ways. Olive green on the outside and white on the inside or vice versa. The edges are fixed flush with clips.
The side seams and the bottom seam are now sewn together using a 90 mm denim needle.
Inserting the press stud
The purse is closed with a press stud. Make an opening in the middle with the hole punch pliers. Close the flap and transfer the marking for the counterpart through the opening.
The press stud is then inserted.
I made the same purse from Pinatex – one in metallic silver and one in matt gold.
Purse No. 2 with more space
The second purse is just as easy to sew, but has a little more space. You make it in almost the same way as the first model or download the pattern here: Cactus_Leather_Bag2_A4_EN
I also sew this purse from pineapple leather (Pinatex). It can easily be open-edged and is perfect for purses like this. Transfer the pattern to the back with a pencil.
I sew the same model again from double-layered cactus leather. Here I transfer with tailor’s chalk. It can be easily wiped off with a damp cloth.
Here, too, I round the edges with a triple stitch. I mark both side edges 5 cm apart.
Fold the Pinatex as shown and secure it with clips.
Now sew both layers together along the marking. Secure the seam ends well.
Unfold the side flaps and flatten them out like the rest of the shape. The edges are held together with clips.
When folding, the two flap parts lie against each other. Pin them together on both sides with 2 clips.
Then sew it up from top to bottom.
With the double-layered cactus leather, this also works without any problems.
Then you can also attach a press stud or a nice Loxx button to this purse.
I really like these little purses. They make a lovely gift and are also great packaging for gifts of money.
Yours sincerely,
Jutta
I love this. Thank you for sharing. Do you know if you can machine embroidery on cactus leather?
Hi Darlene, yes, you can machine embroidery on it. Cordially, Jutta
This project looks great! Looking forward to trying this out.How would I be able to adapt this technique for a more 3 dimensional project for example a purse to hold a packet of tissues in? It has to have sides and can’t be flat.
Hi Flying,
The easiest way would be to add the width of the tissues in bettween the front panels, so one on the bottom and on each side. It could look like this:
However, there is no sewing allowance to sew the bottom corners together or attach the bottom to the front. Best draw it on a paper, cut it out, fold it and figure out how you want to finish the bottom and corners. Depending on the thickness of your material, you might not be able to turn it inside out or its very small and hard to sew. But I hope this gives you a first idea!
That’s great. Thanks for your tips.
Ah, you also might check out this article: Sew a zipper pouch from jeans
Its not the same kind of pouch, but it does feature a cool instruction about how to draft a zipper pouch with your own measurements (System pattern for jeans zipper pouch)!