Intermediate leatherworking weekend

Description

This two-day non-residential course is suitable for anybody who has completed a Foundations course with me or has done any leatherwork elsewhere. On this course you will design and make your own hand stitched leather item. Following an introduction to leatherwork and design principles, I will support you to choose and sketch out a design that will be possible for you to complete within the time frame of the course, depending on your skills and previous experience. You will then be supported to create a pattern, select the right leather for your design and make one hand stitched item. A significant amount of time on the course will be spent hand-stitching your item. As such, experience/understanding of hand saddle stitching will be an advantage (though not necessary). The course will cover: - An introduction to different leather and its uses. - An introduction to the essential tools used for hand stitched leatherwork. - Designing a project. - Creating a pattern for your project. - Selecting and cutting out leather for your project. - Stitch-marking. - Saddle stitching. - Edge finishing, including bevelling and dying. - Leather dying. - Adding fittings. There are a maximum of 4 students per course so you will receive plenty of individual attention.

What's included in the price?

A set of tools is provided for each student to use. 2ft sq of veg tan leather is included in the cost of the course (enough for a medium-sized bag, for example). Depending on the size, type of leather and intricacy of the product you choose to make, there may be an additional cost for leather and fittings. This will not exceed £50 and is likely to be significantly less for an average-sized item. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. Please bring your own lunch. (Please note that there are no shops/cafés/restaurants etc within a short walking distance so you will need to bring lunch or drive 10 minutes to the nearest town).

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Dartmoor Leather - Leather School UK

with Craft Courses since 2022

Message the tutor

Will Harvey is the founder of Dartmoor Leather and the director of Leather School UK. He is a lifelong resident of Dartmoor with a passion for making. He has been crafting from leather since 2010. Will first apprenticed to John Hagger in south Devon when he was 17. He spent many years at the workshop, learning everything he needed to become a master leather worker. He founded Dartmoor Leather in 2021. Will designs and hand-makes his own bags, backpacks, belts, purses, notebooks, watch straps, wallets and other accessories inspired by the natural world where he lives and works. He enjoys seeing a new form emerge from an idea he has had and loves working on things from start to finish. Will has been teaching others in all fundamental leather skills from basic stitching to edging, tooling, design and pattern-making since 2013. He teaches courses for small numbers of students at his home studio on Dartmoor.