NEW - Coming soon !! 2 Day Hand & Machine Stitched vegetable tanned Gladstone or Satchel Bag Course - £399

NEW - Coming soon !! Available to buy from 24th Nov. Available as part of our 4 weeks of festive offers 

Course Details

We’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new Advanced In-Person Courses for 2026 — a celebration of craftsmanship, tradition, and timeless design.

Choose from two beautiful projects:
1)  Handstitched Vegetable-Tanned Gladstone Bag 25cm L x 20cm H x 17cm W - 120cm cross body strap

2) Small Satchel Bag - 23cm L x 25cm H x 10cm W - 120cm cross body strap

Both courses combine traditional hand-stitching techniques with modern machine sewing, taught over two inspiring and immersive days. You’ll learn to work with premium vegetable-tanned leather — a naturally tanned, beautifully characterful material that only improves with age, developing a rich patina over time.

These structured designs are ideal for those ready to push their leatherworking skills to the next level. You’ll be guided step-by-step through the process of creating a bag that truly stands the test of time — one that can be treasured and handed down through generations.

The £399 course fee includes all materials, hardware, and tuition. To secure your place, a 50% holding fee (£199.50) is required upfront (non-refundable), with the remaining £199.50 due a few days before the course begins. Please see our T&Cs for rescheduling details.

What You’ll Learn

This advanced two-day course will introduce you to the art of crafting with vegetable-tanned leather, focusing on both precision and traditional techniques. You’ll learn how to:

• Prepare and finish leather edges for a refined, professional appearance.

• Mould and assemble a framed Gladstone or satchel structure, learning how to shape and form rigid leather components.

• Mark and hand-stitch seams using pricking irons, awls, and saddler’s needles.

• Create and attach buckle closures, incorporating both hand and machine stitching.

• Build and reinforce a grab handle, combining beauty with strength.

• Use industrial sewing machines for specific construction stages where additional precision and reinforcement are required.

By the end of the course, you’ll have created a fully handstitched vegetable-tanned leather bag that reflects the highest level of craftsmanship.

Industrial Sewing Machines

While this course focuses heavily on traditional hand-stitching techniques, several panels will also be sewn using industrial sewing machines provided by our sponsor, Tysew. These machines are ideal for leatherwork, offering slow-speed control and precise stitch quality — essential for blending hand and machine stitching seamlessly.

What’s Included

We provide everything you’ll need to create your structured leather bag, including:

• Premium vegetable-tanned leather in your choice of natural or rich tones.

• All hardware and fittings such as buckles, frames, rivets, and thread.

• Use of industrial machines, hand-stitching tools, and leather moulding equipment.

• Tea, coffee, and biscuits available throughout the day.

• Lunch provided at a local café on both days.

There’s no need to bring tools or materials — just yourself and your enthusiasm for learning advanced leather techniques.

Class Structure

• Small Class Sizes: With only 4 students per course, you’ll enjoy dedicated, one-to-one guidance and plenty of hands-on practice.

• Course Level: Advanced – we recommend completing at least one of our 1-Day Leather Bag Making Courses before attending.

• Hours: Classes run from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day, including a 30-minute lunch break.

• Duration: 2 days.

Location

RJ Leather Studio
Garden Studio
49 West Way
Lancing, West Sussex
BN15 8LX

Free on-site parking is available, and we’re just a 30-minute walk from Lancing train station. Detailed directions and public transport options will be emailed upon booking.

Booking – Course Date Options at Bottom of This Page

To secure your place:

1. Check available course dates at the bottom of this page.

2. Select your preferred course (Gladstone Bag or Small Satchel) and date.

3. Add your selection to the cart.

4. Pay the 50% deposit (£199.50) now, with the balance due a week before the course begins.

Questions?

We’re here to help! If you’d like to discuss which course is best suited to your skill level or have any questions before booking, please get in touch:

📞 Call: 07711 316190
📧 Email: info@rjleatherstudio.com

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