Two-Day Bag Making Course
Workshops are currently unavailable for 2024/Spring 2025 due to full capacity. Thank you for your understanding.
On this two-day course you will learn a huge array of skills, from strap work to basic pattern making to create a shoulder cross body bag, a tote bag or a satchel bag.
On this course you will learn:
Day One
All about leather and how to apply different parts of leather for different projects
Leather tools and their uses, how to sharpen tools
Preparing a hide and cutting straps
Hand stitching techniques and how to master the saddle stitch
Stitch marking
Pattern making
A simple pouch to practice the skills you have learnt throughout day one
Day Two
Cutting and marking leather from a pattern
Gusset making
Saddle stitching
Attaching buckles
Bevelling, creasing, burnishing and finishing edges
Stitching running and fix keepers
Workshops are currently unavailable for 2024/Spring 2025 due to full capacity. Thank you for your understanding.
On this two-day course you will learn a huge array of skills, from strap work to basic pattern making to create a shoulder cross body bag, a tote bag or a satchel bag.
On this course you will learn:
Day One
All about leather and how to apply different parts of leather for different projects
Leather tools and their uses, how to sharpen tools
Preparing a hide and cutting straps
Hand stitching techniques and how to master the saddle stitch
Stitch marking
Pattern making
A simple pouch to practice the skills you have learnt throughout day one
Day Two
Cutting and marking leather from a pattern
Gusset making
Saddle stitching
Attaching buckles
Bevelling, creasing, burnishing and finishing edges
Stitching running and fix keepers
Workshops are currently unavailable for 2024/Spring 2025 due to full capacity. Thank you for your understanding.
On this two-day course you will learn a huge array of skills, from strap work to basic pattern making to create a shoulder cross body bag, a tote bag or a satchel bag.
On this course you will learn:
Day One
All about leather and how to apply different parts of leather for different projects
Leather tools and their uses, how to sharpen tools
Preparing a hide and cutting straps
Hand stitching techniques and how to master the saddle stitch
Stitch marking
Pattern making
A simple pouch to practice the skills you have learnt throughout day one
Day Two
Cutting and marking leather from a pattern
Gusset making
Saddle stitching
Attaching buckles
Bevelling, creasing, burnishing and finishing edges
Stitching running and fix keepers
More Information
You will be working from a pattern designed my me, but instead of just using this pattern I will teach you to make the pattern from scratch.
This course is perfect for both beginners and leatherworkers, the course will teach you a variety of skills that you will be able to take home and continue your journey with leather.
All materials are included in the price, if you would like to purchase more leather at the end of the course this can be arranged.
2-day Bag making courses are limited to 3 students.
What will the day look like?
All courses start at 9:30 am and finish at 5pm with a 1-hour break for lunch.
The morning will be spent learning the different parts of leather, tanning techniques and how to use leather for your project. You will learn about the tools used in leather work and how to look after and sharpen these tools. How to cut and prepare leather and practice hand stitching techniques.
The afternoon will be spent starting and working on your project, preparing the sections of a shoulder bag or satchel bag to continue through to the next day where you will construct your chosen bag design.
At the end of the course you will have created something that you get to take home with you, and gained the skills needed to further your journey into leather work at home.
Is food provided?
Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided throughout the day, students will need to provide their own lunch (there is a small fridge in the studio, but no cooker). Please make sure you bring lunch with you as the closest town is a ten-minute drive. The closest town is Okehampton.
Where can I stay during the course?
Being so close to Dartmoor there is a wealth of accommodation available, please get in touch if you need local knowledge on where to stay.
About the leather
The leather used on all courses will be oak bark tanned, from the last remaining oak bark tannery in the UK, based here in Devon. This leather is from Devonshire beef cattle and is some of the finest leather used in leatherwork. I will talk you through the fibers of leather and how leather is tanned. There will also be a talk about the history of leather, and how leather plays a part in the circular systems within farming and soil.
About the tutor, Katy
I embarked on my leatherwork journey 12 years ago with a two-day leather working course. Having always been passionate about leather, I dreamed of becoming a saddler from a young age. I was self-taught, delving into books and videos to hone my skills. I then trained with a Master Saddler to further develop my craft and advance into a career in leatherwork.
With 12 years of experience as a professional leatherworker and prop maker, I founded Warriner Leather in 2018. I am a qualified Bridle Maker, Saddle Maker, and Harness Maker with the Society of Master Saddlers, specialising primarily in harness making. I also work closely with clients to create bespoke pieces, including luggage cases, knife sheaths, belts, and bags—limited only by imagination.
My craftsmanship has been recognised by both national and international saddlery and craft societies, earning awards for my work in saddlery, harness making, and leathercraft. My ultimate aspiration is to achieve the status of Master Harness Maker, a true testament to mastering my craft.
Teaching has always been a passion of mine, and through these courses, I am thrilled to share my skills and love for the beautiful art of leatherwork with others.