{"product_id":"join-our-monthly-sewing-club-the-crafting-bees","title":"The Crafting Bees Seasonal Sew Along – The Ernest Double Zip Leather Satchel | Complete Kit, Online Course \u0026 Live Sew-Along","description":"\u003ch1\u003e🐝 The Crafting Bees are HERE!\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIntroducing Ernest – Our First Seasonal Leather Sew-Along!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA lovely excuse to get creative, learn something new and enjoy a good old natter!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are SO excited to announce that \u003cstrong\u003eThe Crafting Bees are officially open for bookings!\u003c\/strong\u003e 🐝\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you haven't heard about our new seasonal sewing club yet, the idea is simple. Every three months we'll launch a lovely new leather-making project, complete with a pre-cut kit delivered to your door, step-by-step recorded tuition and two live online making sessions with me!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe idea actually came from something I started doing with a few of my seamstress friends. We'd get together once a month, put aside all the work we \u003cem\u003eshould\u003c\/em\u003e have been doing and make something just for ourselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo deadlines, no pressure, just a few hours of creativity, plenty of cups of tea and a good old catch-up!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI love those evenings so much that I thought, why not do something similar with all of you?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd so The Crafting Bees was born! (Bee's cause I'm Bex and everyone always calls me B)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBookings are now OPEN, and I can't wait to get making with you!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🤎 Meet Ernest – Our First Crafting Bees Project!\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSay hello to \u003cstrong\u003eErnest, our lovely new Double Zip Leather Satchel!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on our much-loved Arthur Clutch, Ernest is a rather handsome little bag featuring two zipped compartments joined together, a beautiful soft suede flap, a turnlock closure and a vegetable-tanned leather crossbody strap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe's got a bit of a traditional satchel feel, with a modern twist!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a lovely project for learning different construction techniques, fitting zips and hardware, working with leather and suede, and creating a really gorgeous finished bag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd the best bit? \u003cstrong\u003eAll your leather pieces arrive pre-cut and ready to sew!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMake Ernest Your Own!\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the things I love most about bag making is seeing how completely different the same design can look depending on the leather and hardware choices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Ernest, you can choose from \u003cstrong\u003enine beautiful leather colours:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBlack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTaupe\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDark Chestnut Brown (as shown in our sample)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFuchsia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNavy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTeal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDark Green\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOr why not mix things up and create your own colour combination?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can also choose your preferred hardware finish:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSilver, Gold or Antique Brass\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd your vegetable-tanned leather crossbody strap comes in a choice of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTan, Black or Dark Brown\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI can't wait to see all the different versions of Ernest everyone comes up with!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🧵 What's Included in Your Crafting Bees Kit?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've put together everything you'll need to get started, so you can spend less time preparing and more time making!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour kit includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll leather components, pre-cut and ready to sew\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeautiful suede flap\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVegetable-tanned leather crossbody strap\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll required stabilisers and lining\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZips, turnlock and hardware in your chosen finish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCopydex glue\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGum tragacanth for polishing your leather edges\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDouble-sided tape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMatching thread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeather-point sewing machine needles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOptional Teflon sewing machine foot\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDownloadable PDF pattern\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYour very own \u003cstrong\u003eCrafting Bees badge!\u003c\/strong\u003e 🐝\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAlready Made One of Our Kits Before? Save £4!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you've already got a Teflon sewing machine foot and leather-point needles, there's no need to receive them again!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimply enter the code \u003cstrong\u003eNONEEDLEORFOOT\u003c\/strong\u003e at checkout to remove these items from your kit and receive \u003cstrong\u003e£4 off your order!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🎥 8 Hours of Recorded Tuition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlongside your kit, you'll receive access to \u003cstrong\u003e8 hours of step-by-step recorded tuition\u003c\/strong\u003e, split into two 4-hour lessons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'll take you through the whole process of making Ernest, from preparing your components and fitting the zips to constructing the two compartments, attaching the suede flap and adding those lovely finishing touches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can pause, rewind and watch whenever you fancy, working through everything at your own pace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd you'll keep access to the recordings, so you can come back to them whenever you like.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYour recorded lessons will be available from Wednesday 25th November 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e, possibly a little sooner if we can get all the editing finished!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e☕ Let's Get Together! Our Live Sewing Sessions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the part I'm particularly excited about!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you've had a chance to get started on Ernest, we'll all get together online for two lovely live making sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOur First Crafting Bees Live Zoom Sessions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWednesday 2nd December 2026 — 8pm–9pm (UK time)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWednesday 9th December 2026 — 8pm–9pm (UK time)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'll be demonstrating different techniques, answering questions and helping you through any tricky bits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can make along with me, have some of your project prepared in advance or simply join us with a cuppa for a good old natter!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere's absolutely no pressure to keep up. That's what the recorded lessons are for!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e✂️ Suitable for Domestic Sewing Machines\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou don't need an industrial sewing machine to join us!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur projects are designed with home makers in mind, and I'll be showing you how to work with leather using a domestic sewing machine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you've made one of our kits before or you're looking to try something a little more adventurous, I'd love you to join us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e📦 Important Booking \u0026amp; Delivery Dates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBookings are OPEN NOW!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're only taking orders until \u003cstrong\u003eMonday 23rd November 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e, so make sure you book your place before then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMonday 23rd November:\u003c\/strong\u003e Last day to order your Crafting Bees kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWednesday 25th November:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kits dispatched and recorded lessons available to watch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWednesday 9th December, 8pm–9pm:\u003c\/strong\u003e First live online making session.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWednesday 16th December, 8pm–9pm:\u003c\/strong\u003e Second live online making session.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis gives everyone a little time to get their kit, watch the recordings and start making before we get together in December.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🌼 A Little Creative Time, Just for You\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the lovely things about The Crafting Bees is that you can make it work around your own life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou might fancy setting aside a whole afternoon to get stuck in, or perhaps an hour here and there once the house has gone quiet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd if you can't make the live sessions, don't worry! You'll still have your recorded tuition to work through whenever you like.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThere's no monthly subscription or ongoing commitment.\u003c\/strong\u003e Each seasonal project is purchased individually, so you can join us whenever something takes your fancy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd of course, everyone who joins gets their very own Crafting Bees badge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuite frankly, that's worth signing up for alone. He he he! 😂🐝\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e🐝 Ready to Join Our Little Hive of Makers?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose your leather colours, pick your hardware and get your Ernest kit ordered!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI really can't wait to see what everyone makes. I think we're going to have such a lovely time together!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRight then, get your sewing machine ready, pop the kettle on and let's get crafting!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBex xx 🐝\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RJ Leather Studio","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56205659341177,"sku":null,"price":121.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0167\/5530\/files\/file_00000000880481f4a6315651ddf8e693.png?v=1792574910","url":"https:\/\/www.rebecca-jane.com\/products\/join-our-monthly-sewing-club-the-crafting-bees","provider":"RJ Leather Studio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}