TWO DAY - SADDLE STITCHING LEATHER BAG MAKING LONDON

Make your own bag while learning the fundamentals of traditional leathercraft

Make your own bag while learning the fundamentals of traditional leathercraft.
In this beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop, you’ll learn essential leatherworking techniques, including traditional saddle stitching, and create a beautiful leather bag to take home from a choice of different designs.

Join an existing class or book a private class for you alone or your own group

✓ 1–6 Students ✓ Materials Included  ✓ Beginner-Friendly ✓ Finished Item to Take Home

DURATION

6 hours

LEVEL

Beginner Friendly

WHERE

London SE185NR
Find us

WHEN

Group workshops: selected weekends
Private workshops: by appointment

PRICE

Group Workshops: 204£ pp
Private Workshops: Price at Check out
ABOUT THIS CLASS

Learn saddle stitching and Make Your Own Bag

This hands-on leather bag making course is designed for beginners and anyone interested in traditional leathercraft.
During this practical workshop, you will learn the fundamentals of working with leather while creating your own hand-stitched leather bag to take home.
Through step-by-step demonstrations and expert guidance, you’ll learn the essential skills for making high-quality hand-stitched leather goods.
You will choose your project from a selection of bag designs and personalise it by selecting your preferred leather, thread and hardware colour from our extensive stock. 
We use beautiful deadstock Italian vegetable-tanned leathers sourced from leading tanneries and luxury fashion brands, giving each student the opportunity to create a unique piece using high-quality materials with a luxury heritage.

Best for

  • Beginners, as well as those with some previous leather hand-sewing experience.
  • Creative learners
  • Friends, couples or small groups
  • Anyone looking to create a timeless handmade leather bag for personal use or to give as a unique, handcrafted gift.
  • Creative gift experiences in London

Useful Note: This workshop can be enjoyed as a creative hands-on experience or as a foundation before progressing to more advanced leathercraft and bag-making courses.

If you’re looking for a shorter or simpler introduction to saddle stitching, why not try our Make a Small Leather Accessory workshop instead?

STUDENT OUTCOMES

What You’ll Leave With

01 – A beautiful handcrafted leather bag

You’ll take home your own handcrafted medium-sized bag, made from premium Italian vegetable-tanned leather and personalised with your choice of materials.

02 – Practical leathercraft & hand-stitching skills

You’ll gain hands-on experience in essential leatherworking techniques, including marking, cutting, edge finishing, traditional saddle stitching, and fitting hardware.

03 – Knowledge of Leather & Leather Edge Finishing

You’ll develop an understanding of different leather types, their characteristics and uses, along with the tools, materials and finishing techniques used in professional leathercraft.

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

Yes. The course is designed so that students complete their bag during the workshop. Your tutor will provide step-by-step guidance throughout the process, and in the very rare case that you do not complete your bag during the two-day class, you will have learned all the techniques required to finish it independently afterwards.


No experience is needed. This is a beginner-friendly leathercraft course and everyone gets to take home a beautiful leather handbag at the end of the course.
This class is based on a selection of beginner-friendly leather bag designs.
You can customise your project within the available options, colours and materials.
If you are interested in developing your own design, please contact us before booking as private tuition may be more suitable. 
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. Our shop, The Bag Making Suppliers, stocks most of the tools used during the class. If you purchase on the day, you will also receive a 5% discount on hand tools and 10% off leather. You can also ask your tutor for advice on choosing the right tools for your future projects.
Yes, this leathercraft 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.
OTHER CLASSES

 YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN

SADDLE STITCHING LEATHER

Make a small Accessory

TRADITIONAL LEATHERCRAFT FOUNDATIONS

Leather Types & Hand Tools

PROFESSIONAL LEATHERWORKING TRAINING

Saddle stitching & Accessory Construction

 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.

WONDERING WHAT OTHERS REALISED?