In this hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll learn how to craft a beautiful, hand-stitched leather journal cover from start to finish. Over four weeks, you’ll build foundational leatherworking skills including cutting, dyeing, tooling, saddle stitching, and edge finishing. By the end of the course, you'll walk away with a fully finished leather journal cover, customized with your own tooling design. No prior leatherworking experience is needed — just bring your creativity and a willingness to learn!
Session 1: Cutting and Preparing Leather
We’ll start by cutting out the journal panels and tooling pieces from vegetable-tanned leather. You'll learn how to cut and trim edges, mark precise stitching lines, and prepare your pieces by poking stitching holes or using stitching irons.
Session 2: Dyeing Leather and Tooling Designs
On week two, we will spend our time tooling. Students will practice tooling on scrap leather and then dive into main project. You'll learn how to transfer a design and use hand tools for creative embellishment.
Session 3: Leather Dying and Saddle Stitching
We will dye our designs, apply an antiquing gel and seal the leather with a topcoat for durability. Students will be introduced to the art of saddle stitching — a strong and traditional method for hand-sewing leather — and begin stitching their journal covers.
Session 4: Edge Finishing and Final Assembly
We'll wrap up by finishing the edges for a smooth, professional look. You'll learn how to burnish edges and apply a final topcoat. Students will continue sewing and complete their projects, proudly leaving with a handcrafted leather journal cover ready to use or gift!
