LEATHER CRAFT AND SEWING SKILLS - 2 Week Course

MASTERCLASS: LEARN PROFESSIONAL LEATHER CRAFT, SEWING AND LEATHERGOODS CONSTRUCTION SKILLS

One teacher, five students

LEVEL:

Experience a comprehensive two-week Leather Craft and Sewing Masterclass, merging theory with hands-on learning

Explore essential techniques for working with leather, vegan alternatives, and fabric. Proficiently handle hand tools, master hand-sewing, and operate industrial machines. Cover material selection, finishing and construction methods.

Gain insights into the technical aspects of leatherworking, including preparation, marking, cutting, gluing, reinforcing, skiving, debossing, and more.

Participants receive thorough instruction in professional sewing techniques on diverse industrial machines, along with specialised saddle stitching training. Create personalised samples to enhance practical skills.

Conclude the masterclass with the ability to craft entirely handmade simple leather items, showcasing acquired skills in both machine-stitched and saddle-stitched styles.

Facilitated by a prototype maker and manufacturer, the course offers a professional journey into common leatherworking practices.

Participants also receive valuable handouts and curated lists of leather and tool suppliers for ongoing reference.

Here is a concise summary of the topics covered during the classes:

LEATHER, VEGAN LEATHER, AND HAND TOOLS:

Understanding leather types, tanning, finishings and best use

Exploring different types of vegan leathers and their features

Comparing leather and vegan leather: pros and cons from a manufacturer’s perspective

Importance of choosing the right materials and tools for projects

Leather preparation, pattern placement and marking

Cutting complex shapes with various tools

Using leather punches, skiving, beveling and creasing

Finishing leather edges: painting vs. burnishing

Utilising leather glues, tapes and reinforcements

Exploration of prototyping and manufacturing leather goods, encompassing varied working methods, machines, and tools.

MACHINE AND HAND SEWING:

Understanding industrial sewing machines and their differences

Selecting the right sewing machine for specific materials and constructions

Operating a lock stitch walking foot machine

Threading industrial sewing machines

Achieving correct tension in sewing

Understanding thread types and needle sizes

Learning to sew leather, distinguishing it from other materials

Correctly sewing various leather types, ranging from thin to very thick

Sewing straight lines, curves and creating parallel seams

Producing various seams and seam finishes

Basics of saddle stitching leather and understanding related tools and materials

CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES:

Sewing and finishing a simple zip on leather

Cutting, assembling and sewing simple straps/handles

Incorporating basic lining types in projects

Constructing and sewing common gussets

Comprehending the use of reinforcements and stabilisers and their application in the craft of accessory making

LEATHER GOODS MAKING:

Creating two finalised leather items from chosen designs such as card holders, purses, clutches, glass covers and similar accessories.#

By the end of the tuition, you will have:

– Developed confidence in utilising specific tools for leather preparation, marking, finishing, cutting and fastening fittings.

– Acquired an understanding of working with diverse leather types and thicknesses, with the ability to source and select appropriate tools and materials for your projects.

– Mastered essential leather sewing techniques, troubleshooting common sewing issues and handling challenges such as curves, multiple layers of leather and various surface textures.

– Learned to sew fundamental bag components like simple zips, straps, and gussets, along with reinforcing specific areas of a bag.

– Built confidence in sewing with both industrial machines and by hand, gaining the skills to independently create simple leather items.

Feel free to bring a notepad, if you would like to take some notes, we will provide the rest.