List of Leatherworking Classes in the USA & UK

Leatherworking is a traditional craft that has remained important throughout history. 

Leather is used to create shoes, boots, bags, wallets, and other accessories. It is also used for crafting horse tack and saddles. 

Leatherworking has been an important trade for centuries, but recently has grown in popularity as a hobby for people of all ages and skill levels. 

This useful and fun hobby is the perfect way to get creative and work with your hands to create practical and beautiful items. 

Both the United States and the United Kingdom are home to high quality leatherworking classes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. 

The following are some of the best classes available in both countries this year!

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Leatherworking Classes in the USA

1) Leather Art Center

• Type: Leatherworking
• Classes: small group, private 
• Price: Contact for pricing information
• Website: https://www.leatherartcenter.com/home
• Telephone: (415) 309-6464
• Location: Mill Valley, CA

Leather Art Center is owned and operated by Zinaida, an artist who has been working with leather for many years. She and fellow instructor Jack Holland teach students of all experience levels the art of leatherworking. Holland began learning the craft when he was only ten years old and is one of the few artists in the country to continue to make leather boxes using traditional techniques. 

Classes at Leather Art Center are categorized by skill level. Beginner students learn simple techniques and create small projects like keychains and wallets.

The Introduction to Classic Leatherwork class introduces students to a wider variety of tools and techniques such as saddle stitching and edge finishing. Participants can choose to create a glasses case or a card case.

2) Alden’s School of Leather Trades

• Type: Leatherworking
• Classes: small group, weekdays, mornings, afternoons, evenings, full day, multiple class sessions
• Price: $1475
• Website: https://www.leathercraftingschool.com/
• Telephone: (541) 659-1260
• Location: 325 N. Broadway Ave Burns, OR 97720

Alden’s School of Leather Trades is owned and operated by Tim Alden. His is descended from a family of leatherworkers and his passion is sharing his knowledge with others. 

Alden offers classes that are appropriate for new leatherworkers and experienced craftspeople alike. Choose to create bags and belts in his multiple day, comprehensive classes. 

Skills covered include pattern design, using tools, cutting , sewing, and finishing.

3) Michigan Folk School

• Type: Leatherworking 
• Classes: small group, weekdays, weekends 
• Price: $75-$325
• Website: https://www.mifolkschool.com/leather.html
• Telephone: (734) 436-8973
• Location: 7734 Plymouth Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Michigan Folk School is a non profit educational center dedicated to teaching community members traditional crafts. The school offers more than 50 classes per quarter.

Michigan Folk School has so many classes to choose from, but the place beginners should start is Leather Craft 101. In this class, students learn to create an envelope clutch or wallet using very easy techniques. 

Another popular class option to take after completing Leather Craft 101 is Michigan Folk School’s Leather Craft 101 Intensive. This class is also suitable for beginners but teaches a wider range of skills like pattern making, welt molding, burnishing, and hardware application. 

Other project-based classes at Michigan Folk School teach students to create masks, belts, dog collars, wallets, bags, sandals, sneakers, and more.  

4) Elktracks Studio

• Type: Leatherworking
• Classes: private, half day, full day 
• Price: $150-$250
• Website: https://elktracksstudio.com/
• Telephone: N/A
• Location: 1113 Macadamia St, Venus, TX 76084

Elktracks Studio is owned and operated by celebrated artist Jim Linnell. His work has featured in dozens of magazines and other media. This award winning artist offers one-on-one classes for leatherworkers of all experience levels.

Classes with Linnell are skills-focused, meaning that students can choose which techniques they would like to improve and Linnell with offer guidance in those areas. 

Students can choose to work with Linnell for a half day or full day. Pricing depends on the option you choose.

5) Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center

• Type: Leatherworking
• Classes: small group, multiple weeks 
• Price: Contact for pricing information
• Website: http://www.meredithmanor.edu/about/courses/leather_working1.asp
• Telephone: (304) 679-3128
• Location: 147 Saddle Ln. Waverly, WV 26184

Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center offers semester-long courses in equestrian studies. Students can learn different styles of riding, equestrian training, farrier craftsmanship, and leatherworking. 

Leatherworking courses at Meredith Manor last for 12 weeks and are similar in structure to college courses. Students begin with Leatherworking I and eventually move up to level VI. Participants work towards certifications in equestrian leatherworking. 

Because Meredith Manor is an equestrian center, leatherworking classes focus on making saddles and horse tack and making repairs. Beginner students practice by making knife holders and simple horse halters. They learn how to stitch, apply hardware, and make basic repairs. 

Advanced students learn how to make more complicated bridles, reins, cinches, saddles, and more. Special emphasis is placed on repairing leather goods. 

Meredith Manor’s leatherworking program is perfect for serious leatherworkers seeking a career in the craft. If you are passionate about horses and leather, this is the perfect option for you. 

6) Chicago School of Shoemaking & Leather Arts

• Type: Leatherworking
• Classes: small group, weekdays, weekends 
• Price: $66-$1600
• Website: https://chicagoschoolofshoemaking.com/
• Telephone: (773) 242-7436
• Location: 3717 N. Ravenswood Ave. #113 Chicago, IL 60613

Chicago School of Shoemaking & Leather Arts or CSOS is a 2,500 square foot leatherworking studio owned and operated by Sara. She has over 45 years of experience as a craftswoman and business owner. Sara opened her first studio in Bloomington, Indiana in 1976. After years of crafting and selling handmade leather products, she decided to open a school of leatherworking to pass on her skills to the next generation. 

Classes at CSOS are perfect for leatherworkers of all experience levels. Brand new students are encouraged to take Leather Work 101, which is a two hour introduction to beginner techniques. Students can choose to create a cuff, clutch, or belt. 

Other classes cover intermediate and advanced techniques, basic shoe making, boot making, sandal making, and sneaker making. 

7) Dallas Designing Dreams

• Type: Leatherworking
• Classes: small group, weekdays, weekends, half day, full day
• Price: $400-$800
• Website: https://www.dallasdesigningdreams.org/
• Telephone: (214) 421-9900
• Location: 1409 Botham Jean Blvd. Suite 102 Dallas, TX 75215

Dallas Designing Dreams is an organization founded in 2006 by Arthur Porter, Carla Robertson, and other members of the organization’s executive board. It aims to provide skills development and networking opportunities to community members and offers creative classes that also teach marketable skills. 

Dallas Designing Dreams offers two leatherworking classes teaching pattern making, embellishing, tool use, industrial sewing, and other practical skills. Choose to create a clutch or a large bag in these half or full day classes. 

Leatherworking Classes in the UK

1) The City Workshop Edinburgh

• Type: Leatherworking
• Classes: small group, private, weekends, mornings, afternoons
• Price: £55-£65
• Website: https://thecityworkshop.co.uk/
• Telephone: 44 7707 162400
• Location: 36 Dalmeny St. Edinburgh EH6 8RG

The City Workshop Edinburgh is owned by Tamar, an artist with a degree in design who has been teaching for 16 years. Tamar offers leatherworking classes that are ideal for beginner students. 

Skills taught include marking, cutting, saddle stitching, beveling, and burnishing. 

Learn to work with vegetable leather and create a leather “whatever” case. It can hold whatever you want: tools, pencils, cosmetics, glasses, etc. A card case class is also going to be offered in Spring 2022. Contact The City Workshop Edinburgh directly for more details.

2) Diamond Awl Leather Workshop

• Type: Leatherworking
• Classes: small group, private, 1-3 day sessions, full day  
• Price: £140-£450
• Website: https://www.diamondawl.co.uk/
• Telephone: 0788909716
• Location: 1 Manchester Rd. Mossley, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham, Lancashire OL5 9RR 

Diamond Awl Leather Workshop is owned and operated by leatherworker Jason Stocks-Young. His work has been featured on BBC One’s Made in Britain series and BBC Two’s Saved and Remade. 

Stocks-Young teaches classes at the Woodend Mill, which is a cotton mill dating to 1848. Students learn marking, cutting, stitching, beveling, and burnishing techniques to create card holders, wallets, phone cases, tote bags, messenger bags, postal bags, and more. 

Visit Diamond Awl Leather Workshop’s website for more information on upcoming class dates and to sign up. 

3) GDH Leather Courses

• Type: Leatherworking
• Classes: small group, weekdays, weekends, full day 
• Price: £340-£495
• Website: https://gdhleathercourses.co.uk/
• Telephone: 01437 563110
• Location: The Old Chapel Penffordd, Clynderwen, Pembrokeshire SA66 7HX

GDH Leather Courses opened in 2010 and is owned and operated by Gaynor Davies-Howell. GDH offers a wide variety of leatherworking courses with pre-prepared patterns. This means that students can focus on refining their techniques without worrying about creating their own designs. 

The most well-known course offered by GDH Leather Courses is their Leather Bag Making course. Another popular option is Introduction to Leatherwork. Students can choose to create their very own belt, belt pouch, card case, or phone case. 

If you want to refine your leatherworking skills over a few days, consider signing up for GDH’s 3 Day Multi Skills course. Learn how to make purses, wallets, cylindrical boxes and more with wet molding. 

There are many more class options taking place over one to seven days. Visit GDH’s website or contact them directly for more information.

4) J.H. Leather

• Type: Leatherworking
• Classes: one-on-one, full day, seasonal
• Price: Contact for pricing information
• Website: https://www.jhleather.co.uk/collections/leatherwork-courses
• Telephone: N/A
• Location: J.H. Leather Unit 4 Y Dolydd, Llanfyllin SY22 5LD

J.H. Leather opened in 2007 and is owned by artist Jo. She is a trained saddler and a member of the Society of Master Saddlers. 

Lessons at J.H Leather are available from March to December. Don’t miss your chance to train with a master leatherworker in these one-on-one, full day lessons.