Weeks 1–2 · The kit
What to buy, and what to skip for a year.
The programs, in detail
Four programs of 8 to 12 weeks, worked on pieces you finish and photograph.
Program 01 · Buy five things, not fifty
Tools & leather
We start with a tool list that fits a shoebox: a knife, pricking irons, an awl, needles and a burnisher. Then choosing leather — tannage, weight and where to buy offcuts — and cutting to a pattern accurately, which decides whether the rest of the piece can ever be square.
Weeks 3–4 · Leather
Tannage, weight and reading a hide.
Weeks 5–6 · Patterns
Making and transferring them accurately.
Weeks 7–8 · Cutting
Straight lines, clean curves, sharp blades.
Weeks 1–3 · Marking and punching
Even spacing, consistent angle.
Weeks 4–6 · The stitch
Needle order, tension and rhythm.
Weeks 7–8 · Corners and ends
Turning, backstitching and finishing.
Weeks 9–10 · Both faces
Front and back identical.
Program 02 · The line people judge
Saddle stitching
A saddle stitch is simple and unforgiving. We work on punching at a consistent angle, keeping the same needle order every stitch, and tension that doesn't pull the leather — until the back of your work looks as good as the front, which is the real test.
Program 03 · Where it stops looking homemade
Edges, dye & finish
Edges separate hobby work from pieces people assume were bought. We cover bevelling, sanding through grits, burnishing with gum or water, and the dyeing process that avoids streaks — including testing on offcuts first, every single time.
Weeks 1–2 · Bevelling and sanding
Preparing an edge properly.
Weeks 3–4 · Burnishing
Glass-smooth edges, by hand.
Weeks 5–6 · Dye
Even color, tested on scrap.
Weeks 7–8 · Finish
Sealing and conditioning.
Weeks 1–3 · Card holder
Stitching under scrutiny.
Weeks 4–6 · Belt
Edges, hardware and straight lines.
Weeks 7–9 · Wallet
Layers, pockets and bulk.
Weeks 10–12 · A bag
Gussets, straps and construction order.
Program 04 · Things you'll use
Real projects
Each project is chosen to teach something new: a card holder for stitching, a belt for edges and hardware, a wallet for internal construction, and a simple bag for gussets, straps and lining. By the end you can plan your own piece and estimate the leather for it.
Want eyes on your stitching?
Twenty minutes on your tools, your leather and the first thing to fix. Free.