Posted by Moroccan Artisan Made
on November 02, 2026
Quick answerA Moroccan leather pouf is made in stages: the goatskin is tanned in Fez, the panels are cut by hand, the top is embroidered or engraved by hand (or left plain), and the panels are assembled around a zipper, either by hand or by artisans on a sewing machine depending on the style. A final check looks at seams, shape and finish before the cover is shipped unstuffed.
Every pouf in our collection is made by artisans in Morocco from genuine goatskin leather tanned in Fez. The process below follows a pouf from leather to finished cover, and explains what each stage changes in the piece you receive.
What are the stages of making a pouf?
| Stage | What happens | What it changes for you |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Tanning and dyeing | Raw goatskins are tanned and dyed in the traditional tanneries of Fez, a process that takes several weeks | The leather's color, suppleness and how it ages |
| 2. Choosing the leather | The artisan picks hides with an even thickness and a grain that suits the design | How consistent the panels look and feel |
| 3. Cutting the panels | The top, sides and base are cut by hand to a pattern | The final shape and how well the seams line up |
| 4. Decorating the top | Embroidery is stitched by hand, patterns are engraved by hand, or the leather is left plain | The style of the pouf |
| 5. Assembling the cover | Panels are joined into one cover, by hand or on a sewing machine depending on the style, with a zipper underneath | Strength of the seams and ease of filling |
| 6. Finishing and checking | Threads are trimmed, seams and shape are inspected | A clean, even cover ready to fill |
1. Where does the leather come from?
A pouf maker does not tan leather. In Morocco, tanning is a separate trade: hides are cleaned, tanned and dyed in tanneries, and the finished leather is then sold to the workshops that make bags, slippers and poufs. Our goatskin is tanned in Fez, following the traditional process: lime pits, washing and softening baths, a tannin bath based on plant materials such as tamarisk gall, sun drying and hand finishing. We explain the ten steps in our guide to how leather is tanned in Fez.
Goatskin is a fine-grained, supple leather that takes color well and softens with use. Because it is a natural hide, each piece keeps small marks, creases and variations in tone.
2. How does the artisan choose the leather?
Before cutting anything, the artisan looks at the leather by eye and by hand: its thickness, its flexibility and the quality of its surface. A pouf is made from several panels, so they need to behave the same way when they are stitched and stretched over the filling. Uneven pieces would pull the shape out of line.
3. How are the panels cut?
On every pouf, the panels are cut by hand, one by one, following a pattern. A round pouf is built from a top piece, a ring of side panels and a base; the petal-shaped panels you see on many round poufs come from this step. A square pouf uses flat panels for the top and four sides.
Cutting is where precision matters most. If panels are slightly too big or too small, the seams will not meet cleanly and the pouf will sit unevenly once filled.
4. How is the top decorated?
This is the stage that gives each pouf its character. Our collection uses four approaches.
| Finish | How it is done | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Embroidered | Women artisans stitch motifs such as stars, rosettes and branching stems by hand into the leather, at the center or across the upper panels | Chestnut & Cream, Full Embroidery |
| Hand-engraved | The pattern is pressed into the leather by hand with traditional stamps, often on two-tone panels | White, Blue & Gold |
| Hand-stitched panels | No embroidery; contrast stitching is sewn by hand along every panel | Honey Tan & Cream |
| Plain | No decoration; the leather and the panel seams carry the design | Natural Beige |
Embroidery is stitched through the leather, not printed or glued on, so you can feel its relief with your fingers. Small irregularities in spacing are normal: they show that the motif was made by hand.
5. How are the panels assembled?
Once the top is finished, the panels are joined into a single cover. The method depends on the style:
- Embroidered and hand-engraved poufs: the panels are stitched together by hand. On many embroidered designs, the seams are finished with a braided line that becomes part of the decoration.
- Plain, hand-stitched panels and ribbed poufs: our artisans assemble the panels on a sewing machine, which gives long, regular seams. On hand-stitched panels designs, the contrast stitching is then sewn by hand along every panel.
Either way, the seams take the strain when the pouf is filled and sat on, so extra care goes into the junctions where several panels meet. A zipper is sewn into the base. It lets the pouf travel flat and empty, and lets you fill it, adjust it and top it up at home.
6. What happens before the pouf is shipped?
The finished cover is checked: loose threads are trimmed, seams and the zipper are inspected, and the overall shape is looked over. Natural variations in the leather are kept, because they are part of the material rather than faults.
The cover is then shipped unstuffed. Filling is not included, which keeps the parcel light and lets you choose the firmness you prefer. Our filling guide explains how to fill it evenly so the seams and shape stay at their best.
Why does handmade production matter?
- Each pouf is unique: grain, tone and stitching vary slightly from one piece to the next.
- Genuine leather ages well: it softens, creases and develops a patina over time.
- The skills stay alive: buying handmade supports the tanners, artisans and embroiderers who keep this craft going.
Learn more on our craftsmanship page and our guide to natural leather variations.
Frequently asked questions
Are your poufs really handmade?
Yes, by artisans at every stage. On every pouf the leather is cut by hand, and embroidery and engraving are always done by hand. Embroidered and engraved poufs are also stitched together by hand; plain, hand-stitched panels and ribbed designs are assembled by our artisans on a sewing machine.
Where is the leather tanned?
Our goatskin is tanned in Fez, following the traditional process. See how leather is tanned in Fez.
What leather is used?
Genuine goatskin leather, chosen for its fine grain and suppleness.
Why do two poufs of the same model look slightly different?
Each one is made by hand from a natural hide, so grain, tone and the placement of stitches vary a little. These differences are a sign of handwork, not defects.
Why is the pouf delivered empty?
An unstuffed cover is lighter and easier to ship, and lets you choose your own filling and firmness. See our filling guide.
See the craft up close
Browse hand-embroidered, hand-engraved and plain poufs, each made by artisans from genuine goatskin tanned in Fez.
Embroidered poufsWithout embroidery
