Bespoke Leather reviews

17 Feb 19'

Malcolm Gregory reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Without doubt the best course I've been on. I have a little knowledge of leatherwork mainly obtained from books and the internet. I was very quickly shown that there is no substitute for an experienced teacher who has made and seen every mistake and can save you years of frustration by passing on his techniques and tips. Even when I messed up Bill managed to help me get back on track. I made two items I am really proud of and am determined to keep up my studies. An outstanding teacher, great venue and brilliant fun. Highly recommended whether just want a fun weekend or are looking to develop an indepth study of leatherwork. Thanks Bill!"

29 Jan 19'

mark cleary reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Really great course. William was a fantastic teacher very patient and supportive Learnt a huge amount about leather and leathercraft and he gave us the confidence to make some nice pieces. We really enjoyed the course and the work we did. Cannot recommend too highly - a privilege to have William as a teacher."

28 Jan 19'

Jane vowles reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Fantastic course, Bill has so much knowledge and experience and was so willing to share. A long with making a belt I made a laptop carry case that is an original one off design. I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone wanting to learn about leather. I will continue with the craft and will stay in tounch with Bill."

22 Dec 18'

Chiemi reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course. I learned not only the basic techniques but also the pattern making. Bill was very generous sharing his knowledge and experience. I highly recommend this course to anyone who loves art and craft."

1 Sep 18'

Biddy reviewed: Leather craft - returners follow on course

"A really good introduction to working with leather, I learnt so much in just two days. Thanks very much Bill."

7 Aug 18'

Christine reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"A thoroughly enjoyable way to spend a weekend, I was disappointed not to be going back there on Monday morning! Bill was friendly, patient and relaxing to be around with a good sense of humour and tea drinking ability that rivals my own! He was happy to answer all my questions and a fountain of knowledge about all things leather. I felt very privileged to have him to myself all weekend. On day 1 I made a belt which incorporated basic cutting and hand stitching techniques, inserting a buckle and also allowed me to experiment with embossing a pattern and hand dyeing. On day 2 it was time to get a bit more creative with a bigger project. I chose to make a shoulder bag and once I had decided on the size and style (decision making is not my forte, Bill was VERY patient), he taught me how to make a pattern and then step by step assisted me with the making process. By the end of the day I had a finished bag to take home which I am extremely proud of and still can’t believe I made! I had run over time quite a bit in order to get it finished but Bill didn’t seem to mind at all. For anyone interested in starting out in leather craft or if you just want to spend a fun and creative weekend trying something different I cannot recommend Bill and this course highly enough. I came away with lots of useful information about contacts and suppliers to help me get started on my own projects at home and can’t wait! Thank you so much Bill."

30 Jul 18'

Alison reviewed: Leather craft - returners follow on course

"Intensive but excellent couple of days. Not only did I come home with my very own personally designed and made bag, but the two days were jam packed with useful information and top tips as well as being great fun. Well worth it."

3 Jul 18'

Ian Clay reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"I thoroughly enjoyed the course which was extremely informative, interesting and very well presented with lots of good humour thrown in. I was astonished at the number of amazing techniques and tricks of the craft that we were taught which all go towards the efficient and fault-free making of any item. I have done a little leatherwork in the past but Bill raised me to a whole new level!! Keep up the good work, Bill."

2 Jul 18'

Helen reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Thanks Bill for a great weekend on Introduction to Leather Work. I learnt so much in the two days, cant belive what we achieved in that time. Bill is an excellent teacher, learning by practice, made a lovely belt on the first day. The knowledge and information on designing and making a pattern was very good which was transferred to creating, in my case, to a sleeve for tablet. Hope to go again!"

28 May 18'

Richard Carter reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Brilliant, fantastic teacher and an excellant course, I learnt so much in such a short time, Bill was such a good teacher, nothing was too much trouble, he did every thing he could to help, direct and encourage you, fantastic course would recommend it to any one. And thank you Bill for all your help."

28 May 18'

Jeremy Carruthers reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Bill is an experienced leather worker and I doubt there is anything about leather craft that he does not know. He is also a kind, patient, and able teacher, and generous with his time - I ended up staying way after the allotted time in order to finish my work. There were three of us on the course which was a great number as he was able to spend time with all of us on our individual projects. We learnt about the various types of leather, and how it is produced and the effects of the different tanning processes. He taught us how to design a pattern, how to cut, how to stitch, how to use tools safely and effectively, and he gave us a useful list of contacts and suppliers to take away. I made a belt on the first day and a leather ring-binder on the second and I am amazed not only at how much I learnt but also how much I achieved in just two days. I unreservedly recommend Bill and his courses to anyone interested in practical leatherwork."

28 May 18'

Charlotte Venables reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Bill has the patience of a saint. Great teacher and can’t wait to put into practise what I’ve learnt. Thank you so much"

7 May 18'

Lauren Howard reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"I’ve just completed a two day course with Bill, and like many others on this page, I cannot fault it - a truly fantastic experience! I have taken many courses over the years, but none have felt so in depth - Bill’s knowledge and skill is just incredible. And whilst some courses can feel like a ‘paint by numbers’ in large groups, with our group of two, I’ve come away with applicable pattern making, bag making, and leather care skills, with tailored, individual advice to continue with my leather work. Bill is incredibly patient, and with his wealth of experience in the field, answered all my endless questions, as I’m very curious! He is also really encouraging and supportive. If you are considering taking this course, just do it, you won’t regret it - it’s worth every single penny and excellent value for money. I’m so proud of my beautiful bag that I came away with, and had a lot of fun too."

10 Apr 18'

Kerry reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"It was obvious right from the start of the course that Bill has an exceptional knowledge and experience of leather and leather craft over many, many years! Bill covered a great deal of ground in 2 days, including types of leather and their uses, cutting, creasing, staining, bevelling, stitching, pattern making, and basic finishing. By the end of the course I had made a lovely belt for my wife, plus a custom leather journal that I'd been wanting to do for years. Bill's knowledge is outstanding, and his great sense of humour and anecdotes from the "world of leather" made the course all the more enjoyable."

10 Apr 18'

Lizzy Norman reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"I had such a lovely weekend on this course, learning something new and getting creative. Will is extremely knowledgeable and clearly a master of what he does. I finished the weekend with two lovely leather items and keen to make more. Would highly recommend."

9 Apr 18'

Jo Foster reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Really great course. I learnt so much on my 2 days with Bill and came away with some beautiful leather items into the bargain! Bill is an extremely knowledgeable and supportive teacher and so kindly stayed on a little on my 2nd day to enable me to finish my project. Thoroughly recommend this course."

29 Jan 18'

Mike & Julie Roberts reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Brilliant weekend with a truly knowledgeable and passionate instructor. The subject is vast but Bill was able to impart a little of what he has learnt over his many years working leather in a succinct understandable way. We came home with 2 finished bags of different designs using different skills, which we are very proud of, and a desire to carry on and try to develop our skills from the excellent starter course. We would not hesitate to go on another course with Bill."

24 Jan 18'

Ivana K reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"An excellent two day course. Bill is a very knowledgeable craftsman with hands on teaching approach. He was very patient and gave plenty of attention to all of us individually, making sure we understand what we are doing and explained everything in an easy to understand way. I left amazed by how much I had learned in such a short period of time. Couldn't have asked for a better teacher."

15 Jan 18'

Freya reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Bill is an incredibly knowledgable and talented craftsman. On the two day course he helped me understand many aspects of the leather crafts business, details about quality in products, all the while helping me to make a belt and a small clutch bag (which I am going to use a lot). If anyone is looking to develop your knowledge, craft skills or to just have a creative experience, I would thoroughly recommend this course to you."

11 Dec 17'

Sue Pilsworth reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Bill is a true craftsman whose skill and knowledge and ability is impressive and unique within his craft, allowing him to impart a wealth of knowledge to his students. The skills which Bill taught me ranged from learning about leather, the basic saddle stitch, designing and pattern cutting, making a belt, and producing a small nubuck leather bag! Bill was happy to answer all my questions, was patient and very encouraging. I loved the whole weekend, I have returned home wanting to put all my new found skills into practice and am excited about future projects that I wish to make. I feel privileged and grateful to have been able to spend a weekend with such a knowledgeable craftsman and would wholeheartedly recommend a course with Bill. Thank you Bill. Sue P"

24 Sep 17'

Jessica Painter reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"I had SO much fun on this course! Bill is extremely knowledgeable and he will tell you exactly what you shouldn't waste your money on when it comes to investing in tools! I learnt a huge amount in this two day course and came away with a fantastic belt and bag which I was really proud of, as well as a great deal of knowledge about leather and the art of working with it. Bill is extremely welcoming. He is very patient and has a great sense of humour. It was wonderful listening to all of his stories from over the years working in this industry. A very relaxed and fun workshop environment. I would highly recommend."

12 Aug 17'

Susanna reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"This is a great introduction course to take if you have no, or a little, knowledge of the craft of working with leather. Bill is a wonderful teacher; extremely knowledgeable, patient, and humorous. The weekend passed very quickly but so much was learnt in the time frame. It was an all round great experience and I would most definitely recommend it to anymore wishing to learn about leather craft."

10 Aug 17'

Juliana Roberts reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Bill was outstanding he had so much knowledge to give to us in two days, I learnt so much. He was also incredibly patient, generally it was a great course and i couldnt recommend it highly enough. I went knowing nothing and came away having made a belt and a dog collar."

9 Jul 17'

Rachel Hollands reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Bill is clearly highly experienced & extremely knowledgable about his craft, I have learnt such a lot in 2 days. I have come home with two wonderful pieces which I'm pretty proud of'! The course is very relaxed yet we still got so much done, it was really fun & insighful, I would recommend to anyone with an interest in working with leather. Thoroughly enjoyed it- thanks Bill!"

31 May 17'

Catharine & Sophie reviewed: Introduction to Leather Craft

"Great 2 day course. We learnt so much in such a short time. We picked the course based on reviews and weren't disappointed. Bill has amazing knowledge and experience which he is so generous in sharing. A great practical course, we both managed to make a couple of items over the 2 days. Would love to do more in future."