The invention concerns a method for setting a leather skin (12) having an outer surface designed to be visible, comprising a step of applying a rigidity increasing treatment, a step of setting the skin using a mould co-operating with the outer surface of the skin (12), one at least of said two steps being executed only locally at an elongated part (B) spaced apart from the edge of the skin (12) and substantially parallel to said edge, and a step for facilitating the maintenance of the shape by locally applying a shape maintaining material to the inner surface of the skin (12), in particular a thermoplastic resin (24). The invention is useful for making automotive interior trim.