Sailing to Sustainability: Crafting Reclaimed Leather Goods from the Sea
At the end of a dock in Sausalito, California, a sewing machine hums inside a small workshop as kayakers paddle by and fishing boats sway in the lapping waves. Inside, Emma Casey transforms worn sails into rugged, durable bags under the name Landfall Leatherworks. The scent of leather mingles with the sea air, while every stitch speaks to her deep connection with the ocean. Her shop is more than a workspace—it's where discarded sails find new purpose, and where Emma's passion for sustainability and craftsmanship comes to life.
Set against the backdrop of the marina, Emma’s workshop feels like a natural extension of the ocean, with tools and scraps of sails scattered around with remnants of her life at sea. The view from her workbench serves as a daily reminder of the materials she uses—her creations not only embody the spirit of the ocean but are deeply rooted in it.
Before founding Landfall Leatherworks, named after the term used for when land is first spotted after being out at sea, Emma spent seven years sailing the world. Her journey began with a spontaneous leap. “After college, I wasn’t sure what to do. I ended up jumping on a boat as quasi-crew, and that first trip was a bit of a misadventure.” Emma’s misstep led to a series of life-changing voyages across the globe. The open waters took her from the deep blues of Mexico’s coastline to the distant shores of French Polynesia and New Zealand, with each stretch of ocean testing her limits and shaping her world view.
From the Ocean to the Workshop
Sailing wasn’t just about exploration for Emma. It forced her to adapt quickly, whether she was navigating rough seas or learning the nuances of life on board. Over time, Emma grew to appreciate the rugged simplicity of sailing—a mindset that later influenced her approach to crafting bags from old sails.
However, after years at sea, something was missing. "I was starting to find in the sailing life that I felt like something was missing in terms of pushing myself," she admits. The idea of creating something with her hands became a powerful draw. After leaving her life on the water, she began to repurpose one of sailing’s most iconic elements—its sails.
At Landfall Leatherworks, Emma transforms old sails into durable, stylish bags. Each one carries the marks of a life lived at sea, weathered by wind, salt, and sun. “There’s a romantic narrative to it,” she explains. "The fabric has done interesting things, been to interesting places." But her connection to the sails isn’t just nostalgic. It’s about sustainability. Every year, tons of sails are discarded, sent to landfills. Emma saw an opportunity to reduce this waste while creating something meaningful.
Reclaiming Sails, Reclaiming Purpose
“Every year, so many sails are going to the dump,” she notes. “I might as well make something else from this material that is incredibly strong, lightweight, water resistant, super durable.” The Bay Area, with its countless marinas, became her source for these discarded materials. "People would rather have [sails] go towards something rather than just throw them away," Emma says with a smile. The demand for her upcycled creations grew steadily through word of mouth, fueled by local press coverage and yacht club events.
Handcrafted with Intention
In the quiet of her workshop, Emma uses simple tools—scissors, a sewing machine, and hand-drawn patterns—to shape these sails into handbags, totes, and pouches. The process is deeply personal for her. “I think I’ve always loved working with my hands,” she reflects. “It’s gratifying to have a tangible result for your efforts.” Her creative background in printmaking and cooking gives her an eye for aesthetic detail, and it’s clear that each bag she makes is a labor of care.
“I’m a bit of a Luddite,” she says with a laugh, admitting that she sketches all of her patterns by hand. This hands-on approach allows her to maintain a personal connection with each creation. Though critical of her own work, Emma recognizes the growth she’s experienced in her craft over the past year and a half. “If I look at the quality of my sewing from a year ago compared to now, it’s definitely improved.”
The Challenges of Scale
While Emma loves her work, balancing the demands of a growing business isn’t easy. “Right now, it’s just me,” she says. “I don’t think I want to grow too big, maybe hire one person eventually, but I want to keep it small batch, keep it local.” For now, she balances her leatherwork with a part-time job in a restaurant, appreciating the social interaction it provides compared to the solitude of her workshop.
Despite the challenges, she is proud of the community she’s built around her craft. “Friends and early customers have been really supportive, even when my work wasn’t perfect in the beginning,” Emma says. That support, along with her commitment to repurposing materials, keeps her motivated.
Looking ahead, Emma wants to continue pushing the boundaries of what can be done with reclaimed materials. “I think there’s so much space for evolving this second-use economy,” she reflects. “We’ve gotten so good at making new stuff, but there’s so much pre-existing material that can be repurposed.” Her recent collaborations with other local makers, like a shoe company in San Francisco, have opened up new possibilities, including incorporating scrap leather into her designs.
A Future for Sustainable Craft
For now, Emma is content to let her work speak for itself, slowly building her business while keeping true to her values. Each bag she creates is not only a piece of functional art but a reminder that even the most weather-beaten materials can be given a new purpose.
For more info, please visit Landfall Leatherworks.