Leather Bags

Learn the basics of traditional leatherwork through the process of making a leather bag. Choose from our catalogue of basic bags such as leather totes, handbags, tools bags, satchels, map cases, wallets and more. You’ll go home with a handcrafted leather bag along with the skills to make other leather products.

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Making a leather bag introduces you to essential techniques such as cutting, burnishing, stitching, finishing and more. Most importantly, you’ll learn how leather behaves and how to choose projects to suit the leather and your skill set.

This course is taught in our fully-equipped leatherwork studio by one of our experienced leather workers. Asides from the skills and practice you’ll gain from the course, you also have the opportunity to ask an expert any questions you might have about starting out in leatherwork: sourcing supplies and tools, common beginner pitfalls, etc.

The course goes from Friday night 7pm until 9:30pm and Saturday and Sunday 8am until 5:30pm, a very packed two plus days.

Friday night covers an overview of the processes involved, design and material selection, the basics of stitching and how to work from a pattern plus a shop tour.

On Saturday, students start fresh on their chosen projects learning new skills and processes as their projects unfold.

Sunday sees the bags being completed and students learn how to finish their bags, make shoulder straps and other fasteners, and protect the leather for many years of use for their bags.

At the end of the course, students will go home with the skills and confidence required to make basic leatherwork projects using inexpensive tools. Our job is to guide, instruct and help you recover from any mistakes.

Suitable for adults and children age 16+

Includes: Tuition, insurance, materials, workshop use, safety gear.

Need to bring: Lunch (fridge and microwave available), appropriate clothing and covered footwear.

Designs featured in this gallery are from a variety of makers including Dieselpunk.ro; Vasile and Pavel and TreeHouse Patterns UK - we have a relationship with these makers and feature some of their designs on this course with permission.  If you'd like an idea of the type of projects you'll be comfortable tackling after this course, make sure you take a look at their websites for some great examples.

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