Things to do · Arts and crafts
Learn leatherwork
A friend has invited you to do this with them.
Cutting, punching and hand-stitching leather into a wallet, a belt or a pencil case needs only a few hand tools, and a first piece can be finished in an evening. Longer courses add pattern making, edge finishing and moulding, and many supply the leather and the tools.
Gentle£100 to £500 / $130 to $650A few weeksIndoorsAlone or with othersUK and US
What you learn first
The basics are marking, punching and stitching. At White Bear Center for the Arts, a two-hour evening class covers marking, punching and saddle stitching, and each student makes one medium project or two smaller ones, such as a wallet, coin purse or key chain, with all tools and materials provided.
Longer courses go further. Arts University Bournemouth's ten-week evening introduction covers pattern making, cutting, skiving, edge finishing, hand stitching and industrial sewing machines; students make a small wallet in week one and a pencil case in week two, then a bag from their own pattern.
West Dean College's traditional leatherwork course adds moulding. Students make a travel wallet, a purse from a three-piece mould, a belt and a wet-moulded pencil case, with the leather and the use of the tutors' specialist tools included.
What beginners pay
| Where | Course | Cost (as last listed) |
|---|---|---|
| West Dean College, West Sussex | Traditional leatherwork, an introduction: four projects; leather and use of tools included | £657 |
| Arts University Bournemouth | Leathercraft, an Introduction: ten Thursday evenings; leather for the final bag extra | £389 |
| White Bear Center for the Arts | Hand-Sewn Leather, Everyday Goods: one two-hour evening; all levels | $58, or $46.40 for members, plus a $40 materials fee |
Howard Community College's Foundations of Leatherworking course, open to complete beginners, makes a hand-stitched wallet and a custom-fitted belt from full-grain leather, with all tools and materials provided.
How to start
- Try a one-evening hand-sewn leather class to make a small item such as a card wallet or key fob.
- If you enjoy it, book a longer course at an art college or adult education centre that covers pattern making, cutting and edge finishing.
- Wear covered shoes in the workshop and take a notebook; ask the tutor before buying leather or tools.
Where to go
- West Dean College: Traditional leatherwork, an introduction (West Sussex) UK
- Arts University Bournemouth: Leathercraft, an Introduction UK
- White Bear Center for the Arts: Hand-Sewn Leather, Everyday Goods US
- Howard Community College: Foundations of Leatherworking, Build a Belt and Wallet by Hand US
We opened these links on 8 November 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
Plan this
Pick a day, or a month, and we will set out how to get ready, step by step, with a date and a reason for each. Courses and classes have start dates and can fill up, so the plan begins with finding and booking one. Kit comes after the first session, once you know what you need.
Questions people ask
Do I need experience to learn leatherwork?
No. Howard Community College says no prior experience is needed, and White Bear Center for the Arts' class is for all levels. Arts University Bournemouth's course ideally needs some sewing machine experience.
What is saddle stitching?
A way of hand-stitching leather, taught on beginners' classes such as White Bear Center for the Arts' alongside marking and punching.
What will I make on a beginners' leather course?
Small, useful pieces. Beginners' projects include wallets, key chains, coin purses, belts and pencil cases.
What should I wear to a leatherwork class?
Covered shoes and clothes you do not mind marking. West Dean says stout covered footwear is essential in its workshop and suggests an apron.
Where this comes from: West Dean College, Traditional leatherwork, an introduction with Jeremy and Carla Bonner; Arts University Bournemouth, Leathercraft, an Introduction; White Bear Center for the Arts, 73106: Hand-Sewn Leather, Everyday Goods; Howard Community College, Foundations of Leatherworking: Build a Belt and Wallet by Hand. Opened 8 November 2026.
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