Handcrafting Your First Bag

There's something different about carrying a bag you made with your own hands. In this beginner-friendly workshop, you'll learn the fundamentals of leather bag-making — from selecting and cutting leather to hand-stitching and finishing — guided by the same artisans who craft every Elowen & Rue piece.

Over the course of this hands-on session, you'll design and construct a small leather pouch or crossbody bag to take home. No prior experience is needed — just curiosity, and a willingness to get your hands a little dusty with leather shavings.

This isn't a lecture. It's a workshop in the truest sense: small class sizes, individual guidance, and real tools in your hands from the first hour.

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

• Identify different leather types and understand what makes full-grain leather suitable for bag-making
• Read and use a basic pattern to cut leather panels accurately
• Prepare leather edges through skiving and burnishing for a clean, professional finish
• Hand-stitch a saddle stitch — the same technique used in traditional leatherworking — with consistent tension and spacing
• Attach basic hardware, including rivets and a clasp or magnetic closure
• Assemble a small leather bag from individual panels into a finished piece
• Care for and maintain a handmade leather item after the workshop ends

Module 1 — Introduction to Leather (30 minutes)

• Understanding leather types: full-grain vs. top-grain vs. split leather
• How to read a hide, and how grain direction affects strength
• Overview of tools you'll be using: skiving knife, awl, stitching needles, edge burnisher

Module 2 — Pattern & Cutting (45 minutes)

• Introduction to your bag pattern for the day
• Marking leather accurately using a pattern and awl
• Cutting technique: achieving clean, straight edges by hand
• Common cutting mistakes and how to avoid them

Module 3 — Edge Preparation (30 minutes)

• Skiving: thinning leather edges for folds and seams
• Burnishing: creating a smooth, polished edge finish
• Hands-on practice on offcut leather before working on your actual piece

Module 4 — Hand-Stitching Fundamentals (60 minutes)

• Introduction to the saddle stitch and why it's stronger than machine stitching
• Threading and waxing your stitching thread
• Practicing consistent stitch spacing and tension
• Stitching your bag panels together

Module 5 — Hardware & Assembly (45 minutes)

• Attaching rivets correctly
• Installing a clasp or magnetic closure
• Assembling final components into your completed bag

Module 6 — Finishing & Care (20 minutes)

• Final edge touch-ups and quality check
• How to clean and condition your new bag
• Q&A and group show-and-tell

Total duration: Approximately 3.5 hours (with a short break included)

Experience required: None. This workshop is designed specifically for complete beginners.

What to bring:

• Comfortable clothing you don't mind getting slightly marked (leather dye and wax can transfer)
• Closed-toe shoes (recommended, as sharp tools will be in use)

What's provided:

• All leather, tools, and hardware needed to complete your project
• A take-home care guide for your finished bag

Age requirement: Suitable for ages 16 and above, due to the use of sharp tools (skiving knives, awls).

Group size: Limited to a small number of participants per session, ensuring individual guidance throughout.