Advancing Your Craft Bag-Making Workshop

This workshop is built for makers who've already completed a beginner session (with us or elsewhere) and want to move beyond a simple pouch or crossbody into more structured, technically demanding pieces.

You'll construct a fully lined, structured bag — the kind that requires precision at every stage: pattern-drafting adjustments, interior pocket construction, reinforced seams, and hardware installation that holds up under daily use. This session assumes comfort with basic hand-stitching and focuses on the techniques that separate a good first project from a piece you'd actually want to carry every day.

Class sizes remain small, but expect less hand-holding and more independent problem-solving — with our artisans on hand for technical guidance exactly when you need it.

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Adjust and true a pattern for structural accuracy before cutting
• Construct a fully lined interior, including a functional pocket
• Reinforce stress points using techniques such as box stitching and edge doubling
• Execute clean, consistent saddle stitching at a faster, more confident pace
• Install structural hardware — feet, D-rings, and a secure closure — with precise placement
• Achieve a professional-grade edge finish using burnishing and edge paint
• Troubleshoot common construction issues, including tension problems and misaligned panels

Module 1 — Pattern Refinement (30 minutes)

• Reviewing and adjusting a structured bag pattern
• Understanding seam allowance and how it affects final dimensions
• Truing pattern pieces before cutting

Module 2 — Precision Cutting & Marking (40 minutes)

• Cutting structured panels, including gussets and base pieces
• Marking stitch lines and hardware placement accurately
• Working with interfacing and stabilizers for structured shapes

Module 3 — Interior Construction (50 minutes)

• Constructing and attaching an interior pocket
• Assembling and inserting a fabric or leather lining
• Managing bulk at seams for a clean interior finish

Module 4 — Advanced Stitching Techniques (70 minutes)

• Box stitching for reinforced corners and straps
• Edge doubling for structural strength
• Refining stitch speed and consistency across longer seams

Module 5 — Hardware & Structural Assembly (50 minutes)

• Installing bag feet, D-rings, and structural rivets
• Attaching a secure closure mechanism
• Assembling the bag body, gussets, and base into final form

Module 6 — Professional Finishing (30 minutes)

• Advanced burnishing techniques for a polished edge
• Applying edge paint for a refined, durable finish
• Final quality inspection and troubleshooting common issues

Total duration: Approximately 4.5 hours (with a short break included)

Experience required: Completion of a beginner leather workshop (ours or equivalent), or basic comfort with hand-stitching, leather cutting, and simple assembly. Please reach out if you're unsure your experience level fits.

What to bring:

• Comfortable clothing you don't mind marking slightly
• Closed-toe shoes (required, due to extended use of sharp tools)
• Your finished piece from a prior workshop, if you have one — optional, but welcome for reference

What's provided:

• All leather, lining material, hardware, and tools for your project
• A structured pattern for the day's build
• A take-home care guide

Age requirement: Suitable for ages 16 and above.

Group size: Limited to a small number of participants per session, ensuring individual guidance for more technical stages.