Spend a day – a busy, full day! – making a leather (or suede) tote bag, which I call my “Pippa” bag!
This workshop is not suitable for complete beginners because of the issues involved with sewing with leather. However, the design works beautifully in fabrics – please email to discuss if you’re interested in doing this. There’s a photo lower down the page showing the bag made up in fabric instead of leather.
To make the bag out of leather you need to be fairly competent using a sewing machine, especially in feeding fabrics through your machine, and to have had some experience sewing with/handling heavier weight fabrics such as denim. You also need to have a bit of patience, and an understanding that working with leather cannot be rushed! I’ve designed a straightforward tote bag, with a lining and internal zipped pocket – especially for people who’ve never sewn leather before. The straps/handles are made from webbing because they can use a fair amount of leather, which isn’t cost-effective. There are some tricky parts to this project, but the idea is to challenge yourself, to stretch yourself! It’s a very full day, but hopefully at the end of it you will have a product you can feel proud of.
Above – the internal removable zipped bag which you can make in a second leather workshop if you wish.
“Student” review of this workshop
TIMES: 10am – 5pm/ 5.30pm
Tea/coffee and biscuits provided, but you’ll need to bring your own lunch.
COST: €50
SEWING MACHINES: Please bring your own sewing machine for this workshop. You will also need to bring a pack of LEATHER needles (sizes 14 and 16) for your sewing machine, and a TEFLON coated presser foot – I will explain more if you’re interested.
MATERIALS: If you decide to book, I’ll explain fully what materials you need to bring and suggestions of two places where you might buy them – one online, one a warehouse here in France.
