Our most beginner-friendly course and the perfect introduction for anyone new to leathercraft. Learn the fundamentals of working with leather while creating one or more simple leather accessories to take home, choosing from a selection of beginner-friendly projects.
INTRODUCTION TO LEATHERWORKING
Make Your First Leather Project
✓ 1–6 Students ✓ Materials Included ✓ Beginner-Friendly ✓ Finished Item to Take Home
DURATION
3 hours
LEVEL
Beginner Friendly
WHERE
London SE185NR
Find us
WHEN
Group workshops: selected weekends
Private workshops: by appointment
PRICE
Group Workshops: 108£ pp
Private Workshops: Price at Check out
ABOUT THIS CLASS
Make your own small leather accessories
This is a beginner-friendly, hands-on leather craft workshop in London, combining both theory and practical tuition. During the course, you will receive an introduction to essential leather craft skills and techniques, and create one or more simple leather items to take home.
The class takes place in our fully equipped London leather craft studio, where you will experience a professional workshop environment and receive live demonstrations of common leatherworking techniques.
You will have the opportunity to make as many customised leather items as time allows, choosing from a selection of beginner-friendly projects such as key rings, glasses cases, card holders, bracelets, and other simple products.
Throughout the course, you will be introduced to different types of leather and learn about their key characteristics. You will also gain practical knowledge of how to prepare, mark, cut, edge-finish leather, and use simple fastening hardware.
Best for
- Anyone looking for their first leathercraft experience
- Complete beginners
- Creative learners
- Gift experiences in London
- Friends, couples or small groups
Useful note: this class can work as a casual creative activity or as a first foundation before more technical leathercraft and bag-making courses.
STUDENT OUTCOMES
What You’ll Leave With
01 – One or more handmade leather accessories
You will create one or more small leather accessories such as a wallet, key chain, card holder, glasses case, selected from a range of beginner-friendly projects. You will also personalise your piece by choosing your preferred leather and hardware colours.
02 – Knowledge of basic tools and leather craft techniques.
You will gain hands-on experience using essential leatherworking tools and learn their correct application for preparing, marking, cutting, and punching leather.
Hands-on experience preparing, marking, stitching and assembling leather by hand.
A clear introduction to using essential leathercraft tools and understanding how hand-stitched leather goods are made.
03 – Understanding of leather and finishing techniques
You will develop a foundational understanding of different leather types and tanning methods, as well as basic edge finishing techniques such as beveling and burnishing.
This will give you a strong foundation in essential leather craft skills.
Why Learn with The London Leather Workshop?
✓ Learn inside a professional leather, vegan leather and handbag development studio
✓ Learn from experienced leatherworkers, designers and manufacturers
✓ Work with professional tools and high-quality materials
✓ Develop practical skills based on real industry techniques
✓ Receive printed course notes to support your learning
✓ Enjoy small class sizes with personalised guidance
FAQ About this course
During the workshop, you can make as many leather accessories as time allows.
All the projects are designed to be simple and beginner-friendly, but some take longer than others. Depending on your chosen items and pace, most participants make between 1 and 3 accessories, though it may be possible to complete more.
No experience is needed. This is a beginner-friendly leather craft course and everyone gets to take home one or more beautiful leather accessories at the end of the course.
This class is based on a selection of beginner-friendly leather accessory designs.
You can customise your project within the available options, colours and materials. If you want to develop your own design from scratch, you will need to book a private customised tuition session
Yes, all tools, leather, thread, hardware and materials are provided during the workshop.
Feel free to bring a notepad if you would like to take some notes.
Yes, this leather craft workshop makes an excellent creative gift experience for birthdays, Christmas or special occasions.
Please visit our Gift Vouchers page
We do not provide accredited certifications for this class. However, we can provide a certificate of attendance upon request.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Sara Battiston
Sara Battiston is a fashion accessories designer, leather and vegan leather goods specialist and Lead Instructor at The London Leather Workshop.
Having studied fashion and accessories design, traditional leathercraft, pattern making, and modern bag construction and manufacturing in Rome, Milan and Florence, she combines creative design with technical expertise and a deep understanding of materials, product development and manufacturing.
Sara teaches leathercraft and bag making through clear demonstrations, hands-on guidance and professional studio techniques. All classes take place in a fully equipped working studio, where she and her team develop prototypes and manufacture products for clients.
With over 20 years of industry experience, Sara has worked with students and clients from around the world, supporting designers, makers and emerging brands in developing products that are thoughtfully designed and technically refined.
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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR COURSES
The duration shown on each course page is the maximum time allocated for the workshop. As we teach in small groups, the pace of each session is tailored to the participants’ experience and progress. Workshops with fewer attendees, or groups that progress more quickly, may finish earlier than the stated duration.
Our focus is on providing personalised, high-quality tuition rather than following a fixed timetable. If you complete your project before the end of the session, you are welcome to stay in class to practise the techniques you have learned, ask further questions, or continue using the workshop facilities until the scheduled finish time.
For sessions lasting up to 4 hours, there will be a 15–20 minute break. For sessions lasting more than 4 hours, there will be a 20–30 minute lunch break included in the session.
There are two cafés nearby, free on-site parking, and WiFi is available throughout the workshop.
Complimentary tea, coffee and a selection of hot drinks will be available throughout your class, along with biscuits.
Leathercraft, machine and hand sewing, bag making and pattern making involve the use of specialist tools and materials. Depending on the course you have chosen, you may work with sharp tools, knives, strong adhesives and industrial sewing machines.
If you have any medical conditions, breathing difficulties or accessibility requirements that we should be aware of, please let us know as early as possible so that we can advise you accordingly and make any reasonable adjustments where possible.
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes, as most practical work will be carried out while standing at a high workbench.
On arrival, you will receive a full health and safety briefing, including guidance on the safe use of the studio, equipment and tools.
Our studio is located on the ground floor with three steps at the entrance. Unfortunately, due to space limitations, we are not currently wheelchair accessible in the workshop.
If you wish to cancel a class, please do so ASAP via email to: learning@thelondonleatherworkshop.com.
– Group Classes
Full refunds are only offered if the cancellation is requested no less than eight weeks before the event date (refunds are not available for rescheduled dates).
Cancellation and refund requests between eight and four weeks before the course start date will result in a 50% refund of the course cost on the condition that we have filled your place (refunds are not available for rescheduled dates).
For cancellation and refund requests less than four weeks before the event, unfortunately, we cannot offer any kind of refund (refunds are not available for rescheduled dates).
– Private Classes
Full refunds are only offered if the cancellation is requested no less than three weeks before the event date (this does not apply to rescheduled dates).
We give our customers the possibility to rearrange their private lesson(s) when giving at least 48 hours notice. We can rearrange your lesson up to two times.
In case of unforeseen circumstances, and the cancellation being requested the day before the lesson, we won’t be able to give a refund, but we will offer a 50% discount on a future booking.
We are unable to provide any refund or provide any discount for cancellations requested in the 24 hours prior to the lesson.
In the unlikely event that a workshop has to be cancelled by TLLW, we will offer the choice of a full refund, a credit or the opportunity to book an alternative date. We will provide as much notice as possible.
In the unlikely event that a workshop has to be cancelled by TLLW, we will offer the choice of a full refund, a credit or the opportunity to book an alternative date. We will provide as much notice as possible.
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