Leather Crafting Workshop

Learn one of the oldest crafts known to mankind at this leatherworking class in London! Craft your own professionally finished leather goods using the same premium leather, tools and techniques used in my work. You will leave with leather goods made by you and personalised with your initials or a message. Whether you are leather curious or a serial crafter - this workshop will make a leather lover out of you!Leather is one of the oldest materials and the only one that connects farm, food, fashion and beyond. We start by discussing my journey from lawyer to professional craftsman followed by a talk on the history of leather and its historical trade in London. We also have a comprehensive overview of tanning and current views on sustainability, ethics and welfare. You will leave with a deeper understanding of why leather is not just a material of the past but one that must be central to any conversation we have about a sustainable future. I also share my perspective on by engaging with life as craft we can navigate complex issues that we face as individuals and as a society; discover the relationship we want with ourselves, with each other, materials and the natural world and in doing so, cherish the threads that connect us all.There will then be an overview of the crafting process, tools and how to use them and safety procedures before going on to choosing patterns and leather to make you chosen items.You have a choice of beautifully coloured Tuscan vegetable tanned leather and items you can select from. These have been cleverly designed with a modern minimal aesthetic and are suitable for all abilities, ages and genders. You will work on the chosen project(s) with individual attention given throughout the class and we will finish by packing the item to take home or to give as a gift.During this workshop you will learn:

• Working with professional patterns and marking
• Cutting leather accurately (also known as clicking)
• Punching holes (guests love hammering!)
• Shaping leather
• Use a professional heated tool
• Burnishing leather (flesh side and also edges using traditional methods)
• Using British made brass fittings to complete the look

The items you will can choose from are (make one or two items in classes depending on your speed and preference)

• A leather clutch, pencil case, sunglasses case
• A leather purse or cardholder
• A leather valet tray
• A leather bracelet or cuff
• A leather lanyard or keychain
• A leather keyholder

You can take what you learn from this workshop to start making leather goods at home with minimal tool investment!

• All tools and leather needed to make your chosen item to take home
• Tea, coffee, and water

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