Leatherwork Basic Skills

Weekend Course

 

A weekend of leatherwork. Learn traditional skills using specialist hand tools and naturally tanned leather. Limited to 6 students.

Cost: £225 Tuition and including materials (depending on size of personal project)

Venue: Old School Farm, Dartington Hall, Totnes, South Devon

Course Content

The course is workshop based.

Introduction to leather, how its made, different animal skins and hides, parts of the skin and their uses. How the manufacturing process affects the finished product.

Strap cutting from the hide to make belts, dog collars, leads or wristbands. Hole punching, fitting buckles, stud fastenings and rivets. Making patterns, hand-stitching, braiding, making thong and more... All the techniques you need to complete simple yet professional looking leather projects.

You will take away your own made belt or dog collar and lead, and your personal project ( a pouch, bag with shoulder strap or similar) of your own design. We teach a T base bag construction on the course. Its a bag that can be made out of one piece of leather that is easily achievable in the time. This construction is used commercially for many bags of different sizes, shapes and purposes. 

What to Bring 

Bring whatever else you will need to sustain you through the day. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be supplied. We will have informal tea breaks and a lunch break for an hour between 1 and 2pm.

A pattern or sketch with dimensions for project. If you are making a belt for someone else or a dog collar bring the measurements. If you want to make a case or cover for something bring that thing with you.

Where to Stay

  If you need local accommodation either self-catering, b&b or a campsite contact Debbie Carnegie 01803 866257 e mail debzx1@hotmail.com . She will refer you.

For a special riverside apartment a short walk from the Tanner Bates Studio see littleriverside.com