LEATHER CRAFTING WORKSHOPS
Join Rosanna for an enjoyable half, full day or two day’s workshop at her studio in Wivenhoe, Essex. These workshops are perfect for those wishing to try leather craft for the first time, or for more experienced leather workers to make an item of their own design. They make a fantastic experience to gift to family and friends, so please do take a look at our vouchers.
Enjoy a full day crafting up to five leather accessories of your choice, such as a leather-bound sketchbook, lined zip purse, coin purse, or felt-lined trinket tray. There are over 10 items to choose from so plenty of variety! Perfect for beginners, this hands-on session covers essential leatherworking skills and includes all materials, tuition, and refreshments—just bring a packed lunch. Ideal for birthdays, hen or stag parties, or a creative day with friends. You’ll leave with up to five finished pieces, practical knowledge of leather types and tools and a supplier list to continue your new hobby.
Maximum 4 people at my Essex studio
Workshop duration: 6-7 hours, 10am to approx. 5pm
Create your own handmade leather clutch bag in this fun one-day workshop at my Essex studio.
Suitable for beginners, you'll learn how to choose and work with leather, add an internal pocket and strap, and construct your bag using my industrial sewing machines (with practice time included). Choose from a range of leather colours and personalise your finished bag with embossed initials for a unique finishing touch.
What's Included?
Full-day leather craft workshop | All tools, materials and hardware | Choice of leather colours | Use of industrial sewing machines | Tea, coffee and refreshments throughout the day | Maximum 3 people per class
Leave with a beautifully crafted leather clutch bag, new leatherworking skills, and the satisfaction of creating something truly unique by hand.
Workshop duration: 1 day, 10am-5pm with 45 mins for lunch
Introducing the Half Moon Bag Workshop!
Join us for a creative, hands-on day of bag making and leave with your very own stylish and practical Half Moon day bag.
During this one-day workshop, you’ll explore different types of leather and learn how to choose the best one for your project. You'll also gain valuable skills such as inserting a lining, adding an internal zip pocket, and crafting and attaching handles.
All sewing will be done on one of my three industrial sewing machines, with plenty of time to practice beforehand. All tools, equipment, and materials are provided, with a beautiful selection of leather colours to choose from. As a special finishing touch, you'll have the option to emboss your initials onto your bag.
Workshop details:
Duration: 1 day (10am–5pm), including a 45-minute lunch break
Group size: Maximum of 3 participants
Location: My garden studio in Essex
What's included: Materials, equipment, tea and coffee throughout the day
What to bring: Just a packed lunch!
Dates are listed on my website, but as class sizes are small, I can usually be flexible. If you don't see a date that suits you, feel free to reach out—I'm happy to discuss alternative options.
Craft your own stylish leather hobo bag in a relaxed morning workshop! Choose from a range of soft leather colours to create a simple, classy bag with a hidden magnetic clasp, inside pocket, and comfy wide strap—perfect for everyday use. The bag measures approximately 50cm wide by 40cm tall (60cm from top of strap) and a wide shoulder strap for extra comfort.
No experience needed—learn leatherwork and sewing on an industrial machine. You’ll leave with a unique bag, ideal as a gift or treat for yourself.
Small classes (max 3 in the morning, up to 5 for a full day) at my Essex garden studio—enquire for details.
Workshop duration: 3 hours, 10am to approx. 1pm
Make a complete leather bag in a day at my Essex studio! Choose from a tote or fold-over clutch bag. You will learn about different leathers, insert a lining and zipped pocket, and make and attach handles—all on my industrial sewing machines. Materials, tools, and a wide range of leather and lining colours are provided.
Optional: emboss your initials for a personal touch. Tea and coffee included—just bring a packed lunch. Small class sizes (max 3) ensure plenty of guidance. Flexible dates available—contact me to book or discuss your bag.
Workshop duration: 1 day, 10am-5pm with 45 mins for lunch
Make your own contemporary leather saddle bag in a day! Using vegetable-tanned leather and an industrial sewing machine, you’ll learn about leather types, choose your colours, and create a medium-sized bag with an adjustable shoulder strap. You will also have a choice of fastening types. Some craft experience is helpful but not essential. Please note that the size, shape and features of the bag cannot be altered or added to in order to complete the bag in the day. For more complex or bespoke bag designs please so other options such as the Toe Day Bag course or the One to One course.
Optional: emboss your initials for a personal touch.
Please see my website for available dates or contact me via email for more information. As my classes are very small I can usually be pretty flexible with dates so if you can’t find any to suit you, please get in touch.
Workshop duration: 1 day, 10am-5pm with 45 mins for lunch
Tea and coffee provided—bring a packed lunch
Maximum 3 people at my Essex studio
Come along for two full days of making a leather bag. On the course you will learn about different types of leather and how to select the right type for the bag design of your choice. On the first day you will learn how to make your own pattern pieces from scratch.
Depending on your chosen bag design, you will learn a whole range of techniques. This may include how to create a patch/zipped internal pocket and insert a zip or add a magnetic or popper closure. All the sewing is usually done on one of my industrial sewing machines however, you have the option to hand sew your bag instead, if the design allows. Then finally, how to attach handles to create a one-of-a-kind professionally finished bag. Tools and equipment are provided but students will need to bring their own leather, lining fabrics and fixtures (or part thereof), or I can provide a package for you at an extra cost.
Please contact me when booking to discuss your requirements. If you have a leather garment or jacket you would like to upcycle then let me know. Tea and coffee will be provided on both days, just please bring your own packed lunch.
Maximum 2 people at my Essex studio
Workshop duration: 2 consecutive days
10am-5pm with 45 mins for lunch each day
Create your own unique leather belt in my garden studio in the Essex countryside! In this 3-hour beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll learn how to cut, hole punch, saddle stitch and emboss onto leather. There is an option to dye the leather if you wish. You will finish a belt with a buckle using vegetable-tanned leather. Leave with a one-of-a-kind belt, essential leather working skills, and a list of suppliers to continue your new hobby.
Bring your own buckle or choose from my selection.
Maximum number: 4 at my Essex studio
Refreshments provided
Workshop duration: 3 hours from 10am to 1pm
Join me in my Essex countryside studio to craft a custom leather dog collar and lead, complete with an embossed name tag. This 3-hour beginner-friendly workshop teaches essential leatherworking skills, and you’ll leave with a finished dog collar and lead plus guidance on tools, leather types, and suppliers to continue at home.
Please bring your dog’s neck measurement. You’re welcome to bring a preferred buckle, or choose from my 2cm-wide selection.
Maximum number: 4 at my Essex studio
Tea & coffee refreshments provided throughout the morning
Workshop duration: 3 hours; 10am to 1pm
Set in the beautiful Essex countryside, you will learn how to cut, shape, hole punch and rivet leather to create an attractive, contemporary plant hanger. It also comes complete with a terracotta pot! You have a choice of several leather colours as well as metal fastenings in brass, nickel or a copper finish. All these elements combine to create your own unique plant hanger. Finally, you are also taught how to make and attach a leather tassel detail as well as the option of embossing a label to add that completely personal touch.
Maximum 6 people at my Essex studio
Workshop duration: 3 hours, 10 -1pm
Make your own leather & canvas rucksack in a single day! Learn about leather types, follow a ready-made pattern (customise with or without a front pocket, colours to suit your style), and sew it all on an industrial machine. PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS AN INTENSIVE ONE DAY COURSE. PRIOR SEWING MACHINE EXPERIENCE IS ADVISABLE BUT NOT ESSENTIAL
Design features:
Inside zipped pocket for valuables
Adjustable straps for comfort
Long buckle straps for extra storage
Rucksack measures 40 cm × 50 cm × 10 cm. All materials, tools, and a colour range provided (or bring your own). Optional: emboss your initials for a personal touch.
Intensive one-day course (10 am–6 pm), small class (max 3), tea and coffee included—bring a packed lunch. Prior sewing experience helpful but not essential. Flexible dates—contact me to book or discuss requirements.
Workshop duration: 1 day, 10am-6pm with 45 mins for lunch
Maximum 3 people at my Essex studio
If you have a particular design project in mind that requires one to one tuition then get in touch and we can create a bespoke course just for you. Whether it be because you wish to master pattern cutting or to make a particular item or learn some different techniques, just email me with your request and we can talk through the options. Price includes all tuition and materials. Tea and coffee will be provided all day, just please bring a packed lunch.
10am-5pm with 45 mins for lunch
Please get in touch about dates if none listed suit you. With this bespoke course I can be fairly flexible with dates.
Come and enjoy a morning making a contemporary leather FREE tote bag complete with an inside pocket and colourful lining. You get to choose from a range of vinyl colours for the base and cotton canvas for the main body. The tote bag measures approximately 37cm wide at the top, 30cm wide and 9cm deep at the base by 40cm tall. A great course for a beginner so no sewing skills necessary, just a passion to learn and get crafty! All sewing is done on one of my 3 INDUSTRIAL SEWING MACHINES which you will get to practice on first.
Course length approx. 4 hrs - 10am to 2pm
Maximum 3 people per course
Come and enjoy a morning making a contemporary leather belt/bum bag complete with an inside pocket and a removable belt/shoulder strap. You get to choose from a wide range of leather colours and can even make your belt from a contrasting colour! Wear around your waist or chest to keep your items safe - perfect for holidays! The bag measures 22cm wide by 17cm tall x 4cm deep at the base. Available in 3 colours and with either silver or brass finish hardware. Choose from silver or brass hardware to go with your bag. This is a great introductory course to working with leather on an industrial sewing machine.
You will end up with a completely personalised bag which makes the perfect gift or a nice treat to keep for yourself!
Maximum 4 people at my Essex studio
Workshop duration: 3 hours, 10am to approx. 1pm
Fancy a challenge? Spend the day creating your own stylish and versatile leather Camera Bag.
Using my templates, you'll learn to make a leather bag from start to finish, including inserting a zip. If you have some leather sewing experience, you can also add piping and a front pocket. You'll also have the chance to create a matching strap, which can be plain, painted, or piped.
All sewing is done on industrial machines, with practice time provided for beginners. Materials are included, and you can personalise your bag by choosing from a range of leather and suede lining colours. Made from high-quality chrome-tanned leather, your finished bag will be durable, practical, and uniquely yours to take home at the end of the workshop.
PLEASE NOTE THIS WORKSHOP IS MORE SUITED TO THOSE WITH SOME SEWING EXPERIENCE.
Materials, tools, and colours provided. Tea and coffee included—just bring a packed lunch.
One-day workshop (10 am–6 pm), small class (max 3) at my Essex studio. Flexible dates—contact me to book.
Workshop duration: 1 day, 10am-6pm with 45 mins for lunch
Enjoy a relaxed and meditative 3-hour workshop painting your own leather purse. Learn simple techniques, use reference imagery for inspiration, and practise by making a small cable tidy or key fob. Your purse is pre-cut from quality vegetable-tanned leather that develops a beautiful patina over time. You will finish the purse by adding a brass fastening and have the option of adding your name or initials at the end.
Perfect for friends, birthdays, or hen parties (groups of 4+ welcome). Includes all materials, tuition, and a hot drink (when at my garden studio).
£50 per person
3 Hour session 10-1pm at my garden studio in Wivenhoe
Or at a venue of your choice (for groups of 6 plus)
This is the perfect introductory course into leather work. From my studio in the Essex countryside, I will teach you the basic skills including marking, cutting and stitching leather. During the morning you will make up to 3 leather accessories including a case (card/phone/glasses), tassel keyring and item of jewellery (bracelet/earrings) or luggage tag for example (there are several more options to choose from as well!). The session will include tuition, materials and as much tea & coffee as you can drink! This makes the perfect activity for a birthday, hen party or just to meet up with your friends.
Maximum 4 people at my Essex studio
Workshop duration: 3 hours from 10am to 1pm