Leather Working Courses
Introductory Leather Full Working Day - One Day Course
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Saturday 16th September 2023
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Next Level Full Working Day - One Day Course
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31st September 2023
All materials and equipment is supplied and
the course takes place at Ventnor Tennis Club
(Free Parking)
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Please get in touch to book your place.
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Introductory Leather - Full Working Day - One Day Course
Course starts promptly at 9.30am and aims to finish at 4 – 4.30pm
The aim of the introductory course is to enable people with no or a small amount of experience to have an understanding of the qualities of different types of leather.
Future day courses will develop the skills to make a belt and to learn leather stitching.
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We shall be working with sustainable vegetable tanned leather (supplied).
At the end of the day all participants will go away with the leather items they have made using the dyes and tools provided.
All the materials are supplied free of charge; leather, dyes, rivets, snaps, thread etc.
Tea and Coffee and biscuits are provided throughout the day.
Bring your own packed lunch.
Maximum of 6-7 people per day session, £49 per person for the day.
Bring two old newspapers that can be thrown away at the end of the session. A stout old jam jar for washing brushes.
Part one
Starting at 9.30am
The introductory course starts with looking at ‘what is leather’. We look at the history of leather and processes involved in the different types of tanning leather. Sue will bring examples of ‘old’ belts to inspect how the belts are constructed, and why some belts fall apart.
We take a look at many different leather samples from different sources, different tanneries and animals and what are the qualities they offer.
We look at what to look for when purchasing leather goods.
Part two
Sue will demonstrate some simple techniques for cutting a strip of leather, bevelling edges followed by applying edge coat to polish the edges of the leather and adding a top coat and beeswax polish.
A range of tools for decorating the leather will be supplied. Dyes in a wide range of colours are also supplied with methods to apply the dye and protective gloves.
Part three
The students will begin by following Sue’s example cutting a strip of leather, use punches to cut holes and learn to use a hammer to fix rivets to hold two pieces of leather together. Students will begin to experiment with the dyes and tools provided. Items can be decorated with an assortment of tools provided.
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Aiming to finish 4 -4.30pm.
Here are a range of items that can be made during the day;
Key Ring fobs
Bracelets
Phone Cable ties
Bookmarks
Luggage Tags
Drinks Coasters
Key Trays
Dyes, metal rivets, gloves, brushes, cotton wool, cotton buds and an assortment of hand tools, stamp tools, cutting mats, rulers, hammers, nylon blocks to hammer onto etc will be provided for use on the day.
Sue will give guidance throughout the day offering tips to make your work unique and special.
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Master leatherworker Sue Lowday MA, AWG has over 30 years of experience working with leather and has many works in national collections.
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email here to book a course - suelowdayleather@gmail.com
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Next Level Full Working Day - One Day Course
Starting prompt at 9.30am.
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Students will be developing the skills learned on the introductory day enabling them to either make more of these smaller items or make some of the following items.
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The following items can be dyed, and decorated using the tools provided.
Belt finished with either a brass or nickel plated buckle
Secateur Holder
Small Wallet for credit cards
Knife Sheaf
Phone holder
Small case for a camera etc
Belt wallet
Glasses Case
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OR make items that students want to make and this can be pre discussed with Sue.
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Students will have an understanding of working with the tools and finishing techniques from completing the Introductory Course.
Some of the items on this course will be hand stitched. The holes are cut with a stitching iron and hammer ready for sewing. This enables the needles to easily pass through the leather.
​
We shall be working with sustainable vegetable tanned leather (buckles, snaps and rivets are supplied).
At the end of the day all participants will go away with the leather items they have made using the dyes and tools provided.
All the materials are supplied free of charge; leather, dyes, rivets, snaps, thread etc.
Tea and Coffee and biscuits are provided throughout the day.
Bring your own packed lunch.
Maximum of 6-7 people per day session, £49 for the day.
Bring two old newspapers that can be thrown away at the end of the session. A stout old jam jar for washing brushes.
Aiming to finish 4 -4.30pm.
Dyes, metal rivets, gloves, brushes, cotton wool, cotton buds and an assortment of hand tools, stamp tools, cutting mats, rulers, hammers, nylon blocks to hammer onto etc will be provided for use on the day.
Sue will give guidance throughout the day offering tips to make your work unique and special.
​
Master leatherworker Sue Lowday MA, AWG has over 30 years of experience working with leather and has many works in national collections.
​
email here to book a course - suelowdayleather@gmail.com
Feedback from previous courses.
“It was really enjoyable and productive.”
“this was a very satisfying one day treat!”
“The day was run excellently”
