Description
Learn professional leather craft skills. This course will be divided into two sessions. You will only need to select the first day when booking: 9/10 June (10am-4pm) 1/2 Nov (10am-4pm) 14/15 Feb 2026 (10am-4pm) Learn how to hand-sew leather goods: foundational class in pattern making, saddle stitching and construction techniques This leather goods group class is designed to provide thorough, professional training in traditional leatherworking, pattern making and accessory making using vegetable tanned leather. The lessons, spread over two full consecutive days, are structured to equip individuals with essential skills—whether for starting a career in the industry, expanding their knowledge, or embarking on their own creative journey with a strong foundation. During the course, you will learn how to proficiently hand-sew leather, tackle more challenging sewing projects, and use a variety of essential hand tools. You will also learn to distinguish different leather types and understand their suitability for specific projects and techniques. Additionally, you will explore the construction of complex leather components such as gussets, darts, and more. You will gain hands-on experience in creating and using basic patterns for hand-stitched leather goods, understanding how this process differs from other types of pattern making. The course covers key technical aspects of leatherworking with vegetable-tanned leather, including leather preparation, marking, cutting, gluing, punching, edging, creasing, debossing, and skiving. Throughout the class, theoretical lessons will be interwoven with practical exercises, allowing you to create personalised samples to take home for future reference. You will also complete a small leather good—such as a wallet, glasses case, or purse, from our selection of styles. Additionally, you will receive valuable handouts and curated lists of leather and tool suppliers for ongoing guidance. Summary of Topics Covered in the Class: - Understanding vegetable-tanned leather and its applications. - Hand sewing / saddle stitching, including backstitching and lockstitching. - Leather preparation, pattern placement, marking and cutting. - Leather beveling, burnishing, creasing, debossing and skiving. - Pattern-making principles for hand-sewn goods. - Building confidence in sewing more complex shapes, features, constructions, and gussets. By the end of the course, you will have: - Learned to hand-sew leather / saddle stitch leather and construct three-dimensional shapes. - Understood the proper use of hand tools related to hand sewing, as well as needle and thread types. - Gained an understanding of leather types and how to select the correct material for your projects. - Worked with a variety of tools and leather types, creating a catalog of samples to take home. - Developed confidence in using a wide range of specific tools for leather preparation, marking, finishing, and cutting. - Understood different methods of creating patterns for hand-sewn leather goods. - Created a small hand-cut, hand-sewn, and hand-finished leather good to take home with you. This tuition will require up to 12 hours to complete. We aim to provide customised and high-quality tuition services, and by limiting the class size to 6 students, we can focus on each participant’s needs.
What's included in the price?
- Materials (worth £30) are included. - Feel free to bring a notepad if you would like to take some notes. You will be provided with useful digital and paper handouts which contain: – A list of tools and materials used during the lesson(s), with descriptions and usage instructions – A list of recommended suppliers for leather and fittings, both in London and online. – A glossary of leather types and characteristics.
Duration
12 hours
Cancellation policy
Strict - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 8 weeks before the course starts
Maker
The London Leather Workshopis a design, prototyping and manufacturing studio founded by Italian designers and makers Sara Battiston and Melissa Bruscoli. With 20 years of experience in the fashion and accessory industry Sara and Melissa work with both local and international customers ranging from start-ups to established brands. Their studio is able to offer a range of services from design consultancy to product development and from prototyping to manufacturing of handbags, accessories and soft furnishings. Their practical classes will teach you the fundamental techniques of working with leather or vegan leather, how to sew these materials to a professional standard and how to create customised goods. The theoretical classes will provide you with the foundation for designing bags and accessories as well as insights and essential information about the industry.
Venue
