INTRO TO LEATHERWORKING JUMPSTART | OCT 22
NEXT CLASS Thursday, October 22
6.00p to 8.00p
$50/person + $20 materials fee
Think leatherworking is only for people with years of practice and a workshop full of specialty tools? It isn’t — and in two hours, you’ll prove it. Walk in with zero experience, walk out with a wallet you made with your own hands, exactly the way you want it.
There’s something genuinely satisfying about crafting a flat piece of leather into something you’ll actually carry and use. Don’t expect a half-done project to take home and forget about. This is real veg-tan leather you’ll customize with dye, a custom stitch color, or a stamped design of your own. You will leave this workshop with something unmistakably yours — and you’ll be surprised by how quickly it comes together.
This isn’t just a fun evening make and take either. Leatherworking is one of those rare hobbies that can pay for itself. We’re offering this NEW class because there are already people in the shop working with leather to make gifts and sell goods on the side. If you fall in love with leather it’s not a big leap to start a small business making high quality and high value products. Your instructor has spent years teaching this craft at conventions, Renaissance faires, and scouting programs around the region, and has watched plenty of first-timers surprise themselves.
If you’ve ever wanted to try hands-on leather craft and walk away with proof you can make it, this is the class.
There are no prerequisites for this class. To register, click on the next available date (highlighted in green below) and check out through the shopping cart.
INSTRUCTOR _ Kayce Sizer
I got into leather by accident — I walked into Tandy Leather looking for a single rivet to fix a strap on my armor, and walked out with a job application. I’d spent years as a classical painter and animator before repetitive strain took that fine muscle work away from me, and leather enabled me to put everything I’d learned to use in a medium my hands could still manage.
For our Intro to Leatherworking Jumpstart I want you to walk away with the sense that leather isn’t hard — it just looks that way. I’ve taught beginners who went on to start their own leather businesses and social media channels, and I’ve run workshops at conventions and Renaissance faires across the region for years, because the barrier to entry is almost always perception, not skill.
Outside the shop, I sew (yes, I know) and sword fight with The Seattle Knights.
OVERVIEW
Leather has a reputation for being difficult that it simply hasn’t earned. It’s actually one of the most forgiving materials to learn on — mistakes are easy to fix, the tools are simple, and a beginner can produce something genuinely good-looking in their first session. That approachability is exactly why this class exists: to pull down the “that looks hard” barrier so more people get to experience making something real with their hands.
In this 2-hour class you’ll build a classic card wallet from a kit, learning saddle stitching, basic stamping, leather dyeing, and clean edge finishing as you go — the core techniques behind almost everything made in leather, from wallets to bags to costume pieces. You’ll also pick up basic care instructions so your finished piece holds up for years. Most students finish in about 90 minutes; add more stamped detail or a more involved dye pattern, and plan on a bit longer.
This is hands-on from the start — your instructor will walk the room, help troubleshoot technique, and make sure everyone leaves with a wallet they’re proud of, whatever their experience level walking in.
HARDWARE
– Leather, dye, and stamping tools (provided)
– Needle and thread for saddle stitching
– Edge slicker, sponges, and a buffing cloth
– Mallets
PPE
– Gloves provided (leather dye will stain skin and nails on contact)
– Ear plugs available on request (stamping and mallet work can get loud in a full room)
If this is your first class at The Facility please arrive 15 minutes early for a short safety briefing and some paperwork.
Classes start promptly at 6:00pm.
This class prepares you to safely perform basic operations on supported equipment. It is not intended to cover design concepts or comprehensive operation of tools or equipment. If you are interested in learning more about design or advanced equipment operation look for additional upcoming classes.
Jumpstart classes at The Facility are open to anyone over 18 years old. Please feel free to pass this invitation on to others. Minimum enrollment of 4 people is required to hold the class.
