HOMEBOUND Leathercraft / Bookbinding Kit - Class at Home

With DIY craft kit delivered to you

DIY Ideal Christmas gift: Design and bind a leather pocketbook or journal.



5 hours   £40 - £65 (£40 for A6 pocket book, £65 for A5 journal)

How it works


local_shipping
We'll send a ClassBento Box to you (a craft kit with what you'll need). Shipping in the UK is free, and it should arrive within 2-4 business days . This craft kit only ships to UK mainland.
connected_tv
Enjoy the online class - after booking, you'll get a pre-recorded video with instructions. You're welcome to ask the teacher any questions you have.
A chosen design can be engraved into leather which you colour at home with the supplied speciality leather paint.
A plain ‘non-engraved’ skin is also available if you prefer painting unaided, as well as a plain vegan ‘leatherette’ option.
You can choose a design from the many in my photo section or send your own ideas - ideally as a black and white line drawing.
After colouring, waxing, and polishing, you’ll learn how to bind in heavy 180gsm ivory paper to create a book.
Full instruction is supplied alongside online videos if required.
Two sizes are available:
The small A6 pocketbook or the larger A5 journal.
Lined paper is optional.


Knowledge required
A simple design requires minimal painting abilities whereas the more complex a little more experience would be beneficial but not essential
 
What you'll get in your craft kit
A ‘cut to size’ piece of local veg-tan leather with corners and edges rounded off and pre-punched binding holes.
A few leather offcuts to experiment on during the painting and waxing processes.
100 sheets of pre-punched acid-free, highest quality 180gsm ivory paper stock.
Rounded needle and binding cord.
A palette of leather dyes in mini pots with colours to match design.
Two paintbrushes.
Leather wax/polish.
Full instructions and video links.
What you'll need
Two water vessels - one for clean water, the other to wash your brushes between colours.
A small sponge is helpful.
Cotton cloths for polishing (old T-shirts work a treat!).
A ceramic plate or saucer to mix water with paint.
Optional extras:
A clean shoe polish brush.
I’m with you every step of the way and you’re welcome to contact me.
More about this class

This teacher has 17 reviews for their other experiences - which you can see here.

Your teacher

Phoenix Handmade Books
Phoenix Handmade Books

4.9 (17)

Hello I’m Will Phoenix and I've always been slightly obsessed with books... thou not the reading type, but the empty ones...the dusty old journal, them marbled edged Victorian ledgers, the ageing leather notebook or the beautiful sketch pad. A constant sketcher, i still carry around a pencil and pad, happily losing myself drawing (instead of finger tapping a smart phone).
As bookmaker (I don't call myself a binder) I recently fell heavily for leather work, a new apprenticeship almost. After spending substantially more than the much talked about "10, 000 hours" on embossing (repoussé) soft metals, I felt it time for a fresh challenge. I started at the basement level and repeated what i did 24 years ago when I picked up my first sheet of metal to shape into a book cover
I presented my work for sale since the beginning and in this world of the cheap/mass produced, I've realised there is still a small place for the individual, the actual unique 'one of a kind' piece. I carry no airs and graces and never over-precious about my work. I simply makes books. I’m looking forward to teaching., Kindest Regards
Will

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2025-02-14 15:00:00
1E57MXLBSX b30fa37a8c654059964d2a78c24cea95 production london London London GB london