This intensive one-day workshop provides a practical introduction to the techniques used in professional leather bag and leather goods production. Working with industrial tools and machines, you will learn how to construct, sew and finish the core components found in a wide range of leather goods and bag designs.
ONE-DAY COURSE - BAG MAKING FUNDAMENTALS IN LONDON
A practical introduction to essential leather bag construction techniques
✓ 1–6 Students ✓ Materials Included ✓ Beginner-Friendly ✓ Finished Item to Take Home
DURATION
6.5 hours
LEVEL
Basic sewing skills are required
WHERE
London SE185NR
Find us
WHEN
Group workshops: selected weekdays/weekends
Private workshops: by appointment
PRICE
Group workshops: From £178 pp
Private workshops: Price at check out
ABOUT THIS CLASS
Learn the foundation of professional bag making
Instead of focusing on a single finished product, this course explores the key structural components that form the foundation of professional leather goods and bag making.
Throughout the day, you will work on individual components such as straps, handles, zips, pockets and other structural elements, learning how each part is cut, reinforced, assembled and finished.
Guided practical exercises will introduce leather preparation, pattern placement, marking, cutting, gluing, reinforcing and skiving, while giving you hands-on experience with professional leatherworking tools and industrial sewing machines.
As you progress through the workshop, you will build a comprehensive set of technical samples to take home, providing a valuable reference for future projects.
By the end of the course, you will have developed a technical foundation in leather goods construction and bag making and a valuable set of reference samples to support your continued learning.
Best for
- Developing bag makers with basic sewing skills
- Makers learning professional bag construction techniques
- Students progressing to advanced bag-making courses
- Anyone wanting to understand how bags are professionally constructed
What’s next?
For a comprehensive understanding of professional bag making, we recommend completing Leather Sewing Class and Professional Bag Pattern Making alongside this class.
STUDENT OUTCOMES
What You’ll Leave With
01 – Professional Skills
– Materials, machines and tools for bag making
– Gluing, reinforcing and skiving
– Constructing simple straps and handles
– Zip preparation and installation
– Pocket construction
– Different gussets construction
– Piping techniques
– Binding techniques
– Understanding different lining constructions
– Preparing and assembling bag component
02 – Practical Work Samples & Course Reference Pack
Practical samples made during the workshop, covering each key technique.
A lasting reference to help you apply the techniques to future projects.
Printed course notes including tool lists, recommended suppliers, and essential references.
03 – Core Leatherworking Techniques & Bag Components
A practical foundation in professional leather bag and leather goods making, giving you the knowledge and confidence to continue developing your skills further.
You will understand how different materials, tools, machinery and construction techniques work together, giving you a solid basis for further training.
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
For this course, basic sewing skills and confidence using a sewing machine are required.
During the course, you will complete a range of structured samples including straps, handles, zipped elements, pockets, gussets and other essential bag making elements.
Yes, all tools and materials are provided during the course. Feel free to bring a notepad if you would like to take some notes.
This workshop is designed around working with leather, but if you would prefer to work with vegan leather during the workshop, this can be arranged.
You will use an industrial flatbed walking-foot sewing machine commonly used in leather goods production and bag making.
We do not provide accredited certifications for this course. However, we can provide a certificate of attendance upon request.
This course focuses on building technical construction skills rather than completing a finished bag or accessory.
You will leave with a collection of samples to keep as a reference for future projects, along with printed learning materials covering materials, techniques, tools and suppliers.
Yes! This workshop can be purchased as a gift. Simply select the gift voucher option when booking (or contact us if you need assistance), and we’ll provide a gift voucher for the recipient to redeem on a future course date.
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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