Free intro call
Twenty minutes on what you want to make and what tools you own.
Online · Small goods, bags and repairs
Stitch straight,
Stitch straight,
finish clean.
Hand-stitched leather is judged on two things: whether the stitch line is even and whether the edges are burnished. Both are technique, both are learnable, and neither needs expensive tools.
- 8–12weeks per program
- 48 hfor a photo review
- 10 maxin a live session
- $0intro call
The programs
Four programs, and a beginner kit is five tools
Leather is expensive and tools are endless. We start with a short list and the offcuts you can buy cheaply.
Tools & leather
Which tools actually matter, how to read a hide, and cutting accurately so everything after it lines up.
See the programSaddle stitching
Marking, punching at a consistent angle, and a two-needle stitch that looks the same on both faces.
See the programEdges, dye & finish
Bevelling, sanding and burnishing edges, plus dyeing and conditioning without blotches.
See the programReal projects
Card holder, belt, wallet and a first bag — each one adding a technique rather than repeating one.
See the program
How it works
Photograph the stitch line
A close-up of your stitching, front and back, tells a coach everything about your punching and tension.
One project at a time
Finished, not abandoned at ninety percent.
Photograph both faces
Stitch line, edges and the inside.
Written feedback
Within 48 hours: angle, tension, edges, and what to change next.
Plans
Pick your level of support
Month to month, cancel anytime. The 20-minute intro call is free.
Group sessions
A weekly session working through technique with members' pieces on screen.
$25/ month
- One 75-minute live session each week
- Groups of 10 makers maximum
- One member's piece reviewed weekly
- Patterns and cutting lists
- Replays for 30 days
Coaching essentials
A coach on your stitching, your edges and your projects.
$69/ month
- Personal 8 to 12 week program
- Photos reviewed within 48 hours
- One 30-min session every two weeks
- Projects chosen for what you want to make
- Access to all group sessions
One-on-one
For a bag, a commission, or a piece with a deadline.
$139/ month
- One 45-min session each week
- Replies within 24 hours
- Pattern drafted with you
- Live stitching over video
- Access to all group sessions
Prices in USD. Cancel anytime, no contract.
How we work
No kits, no tool upgrades
Openchraft sells nothing and takes no commission from any supplier. Leatherwork has an expensive-tools culture, and most of it is unnecessary for the first year.
What matters is practice on cheap offcuts with sharp tools. Blades, awls and edge tools cut skin as happily as leather, and dyes and finishes have labels worth reading — your workspace and your hands are your responsibility.
Frequently asked
The questions we get most
What tools do I need to start?
A knife, a set of pricking irons, an awl, two needles and thread, plus a burnisher. Under a hundred dollars if you're sensible, and we sell none of it.
Where do I buy leather?
Offcut bags from tanneries and online sellers are perfect for learning. We'll explain tannage and weight so you order something usable.
Is machine stitching better?
Faster, not better. Hand saddle stitch is stronger and it's what we coach — a machine is a serious investment for later.
My stitches look uneven.
Almost always punching angle rather than the stitch itself. A close-up photo of both faces usually identifies it immediately.
Can I sell what I make?
People do, once the quality is there. Pricing, business and tax questions are outside what we coach.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. No contract, no minimum term. Access stays open until the end of the month you already paid for.
Want eyes on your stitching?
Twenty minutes on your tools, your leather and the first thing to fix. Free.