STITCHDOWN EXPO
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH, 2026
ARTIFACT EVENTS - CHICAGO, IL
STITCHDOWN EXPO 2026
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
From our HIDE materials trade show, to hands-on workshops and tannery tours—and of course the main Expo.
THURSDAY 11/5 SCHEDULE
Stitchdown Shoecast LIVE!
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Open to VIP Ticketholders and special guests.
Location: Live Bash, 1801 W Berteau Ave, Ste 1, Chicago, IL 60613
VIP-Exclusive Horween Leather Co. Tours
10:30am
VIP tickets are required and spaces are limited to 30 people per tour.
Location: Horween Leather Co, 2015 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Optimo Hat Factory Tour
1:00pm-6:00pm
Exclusive to Optimo Hat Factory Tour Passholders
Location: Optimo Hat Factory, 51 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604
FRIDAY 11/7 SCHEDULE
HIDE: Handmade Innovation Discovery Expo, an Industry-Only Materials Trade Show
9:00am - 2:00pm
Location: Artifact Events, 4325 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Industry can submit for entry here
Stitchdown Expo Day 1
General Access: 2:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Artifact Events, 4325 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
VIP-Exclusive Horween Leather Co. Tours
10:30am
VIP tickets are required and spaces are limited to 30 people per tour.
Location: Horween Leather Co, 2015 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
VIP-Exclusive Meet the Makers and Tanneries
12:00pm - 2:00pm
VIP tickets are required.
Location: Artifact Events, 4325 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Workshops
12:00pm - 9:00pm
Make your own leather belt, wallet, sunglass case, or watchband at various times throughout the day. Tickets required, but no experience necessary!
Location: Chicago School of Shoemaking, 3717 N Ravenswood Ave, #113, Chicago, IL 60613
SATURDAY 11/7 SCHEDULE
Stitchdown Expo Day 2
General Access: 11:00am - 6:00pm
Tickets are required to access the Stitchdown Expo floor.
VIP Access at 9am; General Access at 11am
Location: Artifact Events, 4325 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
The America Shoe Shine Championship Presented by Saphir
3:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Artifact Events, 2nd Floor, 4325 N Ravenswood Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Workshops
9:00am - 6:00pm
Give hand-welting a try with Crown Northampton, or make your own leather belt, wallet, sunglass case, and/or watchband at various times throughout the day. Tickets required, but no experience necessary!
Locations: Artifact Events & Chicago School of Shoemaking
VIP Wrap Party!
6:30pm - 10:30pm
Location: Live Bash, 1801 W Berteau Ave, Ste 1, Chicago, IL 60613
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE & TICKETS
Our friends at the Chicago School of Shoemaking & Leather Arts are hosting a bunch of awesome hands-on workshops where you can make something with your own hands and keep it… forever!
Unless otherwise noted, all workshops are held at the Chicago School of Shoemaking, located at 3717 N Ravenswood Ave, #113, Chicago, IL 60613.
Psst… the password to accesss workshop tickets is: stitchdown
Beltmaking Workshop
Learn how to make a belt for yourself and use different finishing techniques to make the belt extra special. All materials provided, no experience necessary!
Cost: $80
Class Times
Fri. 11/7: 10:00am - 12:00pm or 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Sat. 11/8: 10:00am - 12:00pm or 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Sunglass Case Workshop
Learn how to make a hand-stitched sunglass case using Horween leather. All materials provided, no experience necessary!
Cost: $90
Class Times
Fri. 11/7: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Sat. 11/8: 10:00am - 12:00pm
Leather Wallet Workshop
Learn how to make a hand-stitched wallet using Horween leather. All materials provided, no experience necessary!
Cost: $150
Class Times
Fri. 11/7: 10:00am - 1:00pm or 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Sat. 11/8: 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Sun. 11/9: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Watchband Workshop
A special watchband making class using Horween cordovan leather. To take this class, we’ll need to know your strap/ lug width. Choose from 18mm, 20mm, 22mm & 24mm at checkout.
Hardware included, watch not included.
Cost: $130
Class Times
Fri. 11/7: 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Sat. 11/8: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Sun. 11/9: 10:00am - 1:00pm
Guided Hand-Welting Tutorials with E. Woodford
A 30-minute, guided, hand-welting tutorial sponsored by E. Woodford, the new brand from the good folks behind Crown Northampton. Hands-on assistance and all tools provided. Only 2 spots per time available!
Cost: $25
Class Times
Sat. 11/8: Every 30 minutes beginning at 9:30am, last class starts at 5:00pm
Location: Artifact Events, Main Expo Floor, E. Woodford booth space
