– LEATHER CRAFT AND SEWING SKILLS –
LEARN PROFESSIONAL LEATHER CRAFT SKILLS, LEATHER SEWING AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES
One teacher, six students
WERE?
At our London studio (map)
WHEN?
Please select your preferred date(s) through the button below
COST:
2 sessions (12 hours in total)
£408.00
Course materials (worth £40) included
LEVEL:
Beginners and beginners with some previous sewing experience
LEATHER CRAFT AND LEATHER SEWING TECHNIQUES: WHAT IS THIS COURSE ABOUT?
This is a theoretical and practical introductory group tuition during which you will be taught common, essential leather crafting and sewing techniques and understand how working with leather differs from working with vegan leather or fabric.
You will be taught how to correctly use hand tools, how to sew leather by hand and understand the most common finishing and construction techniques used in bag and accessory making.
You will learn about different types of leather and understand how to select the correct type of material(s) for your project.
You will receive an overview of the technical aspects of working with leather and constructing bags and accessories such as inking, burninshing, marking, cutting, gluing, reinforcing, skiving, debossing and more.
You will learn how to saddle stitch, select the appropriate tools for this sewing technique, and produce your own samples of work to take home with you.
You will receive relevant, useful and informative handouts as well as lists of leather and tool suppliers.
At the end of the lesson, you will have the choice to create a simple hand-sewn leather item, such as a simple purse or card holder, to take home with you, or to practice more techniques.
This is a professional course delivered by a prototype maker and manufacturer, with the aim of providing an overview and hands-on experience on more common leather working practices.
At the end of the tuition you will have:
– Gained an understanding of leather types, tanning methods, leather characteristics and the best uses for specific projects.
– Gained confidence in using specific tools for preparing, marking, finishing, cutting leather and fastening fittings.
– Understood and practiced leather craft techniques such as inking, beveling and burnishing techniques
– Understood what it means to work with different leather types and thicknesses and have the ability to source and select the correct tools and materials for your projects.
– Understood how to manipulate leather using tools, reinforcement, stabilisers and stiffeners in crucial areas of bags and accessories.
– Gained confidence in sewing by hand and obtained the skills to realise some simple leather items independently.
WHAT WILL BE TAUGHT?
Below is a list of topics covered during the classes:
LEATHER, VEGAN LEATHER AND HAND TOOLS:
– Understanding leather: overviews on types of leather, tanning, finishings and best use
– Vegan leathers: an overview on different types and features
– Understanding how to choose the right materials for your project and the appropriate tools for those materials
– Leather preparing, pattern placement and marking on leather
– Cutting complex shapes using a variety of tools
– Using leather punches
– Understanding the use of skiving, beveling and creasing
– Finishing leather edges: painting vs burnishing
– Using various leather glues and tapes
– Understand the use of reinforcements, fusings and stabilisers to back leather
– Prototyping and manufacturing leather goods: mentions of different working methods, machines and tools
HAND SEWING:
– To understand the different options, characteristics, and proper application of the tools used in saddle stitching
– To learn the basics of saddle stitching leather and understood the different the tools and materials used in the technique
CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES:
– To create a small, simple hand stitched leather item to take home with you
IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
We will always try to cover as much on the syllabus as possible and depending on your ability and previous experience, we might not be able to complete the program or we might instead be able to teach you additional techniques relating to the above listed topics, such as:
– To cut, assemble and sew simple straps/handles or zips
– To incorporate basic types of lining in your project
– Understanding fittings, closure types, fastening techniques and tools: sam browns, magnets, pop buttons, eyelets, etc.
INCLUDED IN THE COURSE:
You will be provided with useful digital and paper handouts which contain:
– A list of tools and materials used during the lesson(s), including a description of what they are and how they are used
– A list of recommended suppliers for both leather and fittings (physically in London and online)
– A glossary containing essential key words related to the topic of the lesson
– A glossary containing information about leather types and characteristics
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
This course is suitable for total beginners, beginners with some experience and intermediate.
You should be able to use measurements and understand verbal and written English instructions.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COSTS? IS THERE ANYTHING I NEED TO BRING?
Materials are included.
Feel free to bring a notepad, if you would like to take some notes, we will provide the rest.
HOW LONG IS THIS TUITION?:
This tuition will require up to 12 hours to complete but depending on the number of attendees, the ability of participants and the group’s pace, the syllabus may be covered in a shorter time frame.
We aim to provide customised and high quality tuition services and by only allowing up to 6 students at a time, we are able to focus on each person needs and interests.
As every student has a different level of ability and previous experience, this course might lead some students to complete the core aspects of the lesson in a shorter time frame than others.
Students who complete the course early will be welcome to stay and use the studio facilities to exercise on the topics of the lesson.
LEARN PROFESSIONAL LEATHER CRAFT SKILLS, LEATHER SEWING AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES – GROUP CLASS
£408.00
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TUITION
CANCELLATION AND REARRANGEMENT POLICY
If you wish to cancel your group class, please do so ASAP via email to: learning@thelondonleatherworkshop.com.
Full refunds are only offered if the cancellation is requested no less than eight weeks before the event date.
Cancellations requested 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.
For cancellations requested less than four weeks before the event, unfortunately, we cannot offer any kind of refund and the class cannot be rescheduled.
We reserve the right to cancel a group class when the required minimum enrollment is not met.
If a group class has to be cancelled by us, we will offer the choice of a full refund, credit or the opportunity to book an alternative date (if available). We will provide as much notice as possible.
All communication regarding cancellations and rearrangements of your lesson must be in writing via email.
Please provide all details in your email for us to be able to organise a refund. All refunds must be made to the original payment method used.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Cutting material is usually done standing at a high table and you might be working with special glues, knives and with heavy duty industrial sewing machines.
If you have a breathing problem, any health condition we should be aware of or if any of the above might be difficult for you, please inform us as soon as possible.
You will receive Health and Safety instructions for using the studio and its equipment and you will be asked to sign a risk and liability form at the end of the induction.
ACCESSIBILITY
Our studio is located on the ground floor with three steps down at the entrance. Unfortunately, due to space limitations, we do not have wheelchair facilities.
FACILITIES
Wifi is available in the studio.
Teas and coffees will be provided by us.
For 3+ hours long sessions we will have a 15 minutes break, for 6+ hours long sessions we will have a half hour lunch break.
There are two coffee shops and free parking spaces on site.
We run a variety of courses which are related to this topic and that would allow you to expand your knowledge. Please find the complete list of courses HERE.
We also provide the opportunity for people to practise on our sewing machines, tools and studio space.
We reserve a special discount for people who have previously been a student of ours. If you book any of our courses or our drop-in service within 6 months from the completion of a class, you will receive 10% off your next booking.
Sara Battiston is a fashion accessories designer, leather goods specialist, and Lead Instructor at The London Leather Workshop in London.
She graduated in Fashion Design in Rome and further specialised in bag construction and leather goods making in Milan and Florence, before continuing her training in traditional saddle stitching techniques in the UK. With over 20 years of experience, her work focuses on the development of bags and accessories from concept to production.
Her approach brings together design, making, and technical construction, with a strong understanding of materials and how products are developed in practice.
Her teaching is based on real studio work and covers product development, construction, and preparation for production. While she specialises in leathercraft and bag making, her work extends to accessories design more broadly, including leather, vegan materials, and textiles.
She works with students and clients internationally, supporting designers, makers, and emerging brands in developing products that are clear, well resolved, and ready for production.
Her focus is on helping ideas move clearly from concept to production.
As industry professionals, we strive to help you acquire new skills or enhance the ones you already have to a professional level to facilitate your career entry.
Some of our courses will qualify you to receive a certificate of completion.
Our certification will significantly strengthen your CV, elevating your professional credentials.
This course does not qualify for a certificate, but we offer other courses that do.
For information on eligible courses and the process to request your certificate, please contact us.
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