1 Day Traditonal Vegetable Tanned Leather Products Course - Belt, Tool Belt, Apron £169

Course Details

This one-day workshop is a perfect opportunity to explore the timeless craft of working with vegetable-tanned leather, renowned for its durability and beautiful finish. Whether you choose to create a belt, dog collar and lead, apron, or tool belt, you’ll leave with a stunning, handmade product you’ll be proud to use for years to come.

Discover the unique properties of vegetable-tanned leather as you learn to draft patterns for your project—patterns you can use again and again in the future. This hands-on course introduces you to carving, tooling, edge polishing, and even stitching on industrial sewing machines, ensuring you acquire the foundational skills needed to continue your leatherworking journey.

The course fee is £169, which includes all materials and lunch. A non-refundable 50% deposit (£84.50) is required to secure your place, with the remaining balance of £84.50 due a few days before the course begins. Please see our T&Cs for information on rescheduling.

What You’ll Learn

This course is designed to give you a solid introduction to working with vegetable-tanned leather:

• Understanding the Material: Learn the characteristics and unique properties of vegetable-tanned leather, including why it’s ideal for carving, tooling, and polishing.
• Pattern Drafting: Design and draft your own pattern for your chosen project—belt, dog collar and lead, apron, or tool belt—ensuring you can recreate the design in the future.
• Leather Crafting Techniques: Discover how to carve and tool leather surfaces, edge polish for a professional finish, and assemble your project with precision.
• Stitching Methods: Gain hands-on experience with industrial sewing machines, mastering techniques to stitch leather cleanly and securely.
• Tool Mastery: Be introduced to the correct tools for vegetable-tanned leather, setting you up for future leatherworking success.

By the end of the day, you’ll leave with a finished product that combines functionality with beauty and craftsmanship.

Expert Guidance

Your instructor, Bex, brings a wealth of experience and a passion for leatherwork to every course. With a background in high-end fashion and leather design, Bex will guide you step-by-step through the process, offering personalized, 1-on-1 attention to ensure you achieve your goals.

With a maximum of 4 students per class, you’ll benefit from focused teaching and a creative, supportive atmosphere.

What’s Included

The course fee includes:

• High-quality vegetable-tanned leather, hardware, and tools for your project.
• A reusable pattern for your chosen design to take home.
• Tea, coffee, and biscuits throughout the day.
• Lunch at a lovely café just down the road, included in the course fee.

All you need to bring is your enthusiasm! Feel free to bring a camera and notepad to document your project.

Class Structure

• Small Class Sizes: Limited to 4 students, ensuring lots of 1-on-1 guidance from Bex.
• Parallel Courses: You may be joined by students working on other leatherwork or fashion projects, creating a dynamic and inspiring environment.
• Class Hours: The class runs from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a 30-minute lunch break at a nearby café.

Course Outline

1. Introduction: Begin with an overview of vegetable-tanned leather, its properties, and its uses.
2. Pattern Drafting: Choose your project (belt, dog collar and lead, apron, or tool belt) and draft your custom pattern.
3. Leather Preparation: Cut, carve, and tool your leather pieces, and polish the edges for a professional finish.
4. Assembly and Stitching: Use industrial sewing machines and hand tools to assemble your project, adding hardware as needed.
5. Finishing Touches: Polish and refine your completed item for a high-quality, long-lasting product.

Location

RJ Leather Studio
Garden Studio
49 West Way
Lancing, West Sussex
BN15 8LX

Free on-site parking is available, and we’re just a 30-minute walk from Lancing train station. Detailed directions and public transport options will be emailed upon booking.

Booking

To secure your place:

1. Check available course dates at the bottom of this page.
2. Select your date and add it to the cart.
3. Specify any design or color preferences during checkout.
4. Pay the 50% deposit (£84.50) now, with the balance of £84.50 due a week before the course begins.

Questions?

We’re here to help! If you have any questions or need assistance before booking, feel free to contact us:

📞 Call: 07711 316190
📧 Email: info@rjleatherstudio.com

Start your journey into leatherwork and create something both beautiful and functional—let’s make it happen!

Buying this as a gift? Not sure what date to book? Why not give a voucher instead and your loved one can book in when they are ready. To buy a voucher click here:

Description:  Do you have a favourite family pet that you'd like to make a bespoke dog collar and lead for. You will be working with vegetable tanned leather, learning how to create a template, cut leather, carve, polish and hand dye the leather. We have a selection of different hardware that you can use to make your pooch the stand out from the crowd.

Level: Beginners

Description:  Learn how to make a leather belt using traditonal techniques. You will be working with vegetable tanned leather, learning how to create a template, cut leather, carve, polish and hand dye the leather. We have a selection of different hardware or feel free to bring your own.

Level: Beginners

Description: The apron is made from beautiful rich waxed cotton and comes in 5 waxed cotton colour choices, olive, black, dark brown, sand or navy. It also features leather trims for the top of the apron, pocket and straps. We are using a leather called vegtan (not to be confused with vegan) this is a luxury leather which is died using natural tannins and is the top surface of the skin of the cow. This means that it is beautiful to deboss into the leather to personilise the apron. So it means you can write names or initials into the leather by debossing (embedding the letters into the surface of the leather) 

Level: Beginners

Description:This is a beautiful vegtan leather ( not to be confused with vegan leather) tools belt for gardeners, crafters or hairdressers. The bag features a front pocket which is divided into 2 compartments. It also has 2 tabs on the front for slotting in scissors or secateurs. It has an belt with buckle adjustment so can be worn on the waist or hips and designed to fit you perfectly. 

Level: Beginners/Intermediate