15 Courses

5-day practical leather bag pattern cutting and design course with leather crafting skillsLearn leather bag design and creation processes with an introduction to leather crafting. Design bags in 3DSee 1-day Pattern Cutting (The Basics) course, here. Join us in our Oxfordshire Workshop (UK) for a week of learning and making. Learn directly from Leathersmith and London College of Fashion Lecturer, Georgie Tym as she guides you through designing your own patterns from scratch to create a whole catalogue of 3D shapes for bags and accessories along with a basic introduction to leather crafting skills. Who is this course for? This 5-day practical bag pattern cutting and introduction to leather craft course is ideal for all experience levels, from beginners to confident makers. A perfect introduction into the pattern cutting skills and leather skills you’ll need to create and design your own bag patterns and leather designs. Are you looking to: Start your own bag brand? Design your own bags? Understand the bag making process? Create bags at home to complete your own handmade wardrobe? Satisfy a general interest into the skills and techniques required to make your own bags? Develop a foundation in leather crafting skillsIf you've answered yes to any of the above, then this is the course for you. What to expect Join Georgie to learn the basics of pattern cutting for bags with an introduction to leather craft. The course includes a foundation knowledge through to more complex cutting techniques. Looking at 3D shapes and examples from which you can create multiple shapes and details. Learn all the essential skills you will need to begin your leather crafting journey. This is the course for you if you’re ready to turn those bags you’ve been dreaming up and designing into 3-Dimensional tangible reality. Within the course, you’ll also be introduced to techniques and materials suitable for accessories, including sewing on an industrial sewing machine and stitching leather by hand. Upon completing the pattern cutting and introduction to leather course you will take away the knowledge to bring your designs to life. Complete with a set of paper/ fabric mock-ups which can be kept as your reference sample set and leather craft samples you will have your very own library of resources to inspire and generate future ideas. The course covers: Pattern types and shapes suitable for each construction type Patterns for details and functionality features Professional methods and best practice Basic pattern cutting techniques Pattern design/ development and sequences Hands on involvement and demonstrations. Hand stitching leather and other materials Machine stitching leather and other materials Leather tools and machinery Seam types used in bag and leather constructions Leather and other materials discussions You will receive a certificate upon completion of the course.  What's included in the price? There are no additional costs. Basic materials will be included.The course runs from 10am – 3.30pm Monday - Friday. There will be a tea/ coffee breaks throughout and an hour break at lunch. Please note lunch is not provided.The course will be run from the HOME STUDIO of Hands Of Tym in Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 9DHParking available on the drive or on the street with easy access via the M40. Banbury train station is a steep 30 min walk. Trains run from both London Marylebone and Birmingham to Banbury in 50mins. Also well connected to Reading, Oxford, Leamington Spa to name a few.Maximum class size is 5 Cancellation policy Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts About Georgie at Hands of Tym During training at Cordwainers, London College of Fashion in 2010 I learnt how to design, make and manufacture bags professionally. Following a varied career in Accessories design and development across many roles and international brands I set up Hands of Tym in 2016. The courses I offer are suitable for all, from experienced to total novice. Come along to learn something new, and design and make your own leather bag in a day.

1-day practical leather bag pattern cutting courseJoin us in our Oxfordshire Workshop (UK) for a day of learning and practical skills. Learn directly from Leathersmith and London College of Fashion Lecturer, Georgie Tym as she guides you through designing your own paper patterns from scratch to create 3D shapes for bags and accessories. Who is this course for? This 1-day practical bag pattern cutting course is ideal for all experience levels, from beginners to confident makers. A perfect introduction into some of the pattern cutting skills you’ll need to create and design your own bag patterns. Are you looking to: Start your own bag brand? Design your own bags? Understand the bag making process? Create bags at home to complete your own handmade wardrobe? Satisfy a general interest into the skills and techniques required to make your own bags? If you've answered yes to any of the above, then this is the course for you. What to expect Join Georgie to learn the basics of pattern cutting shapes for bags. This is the course for you if you’re ready to turn those bags you’ve been dreaming up and designing into 3-Dimensional tangible reality. This is the perfect taster day and leads directly onto the 1 week (5 day) pattern cutting course. What's included in the price? The course covers: - Professional methods and best practice - Basic pattern cutting techniques for shapes - Pattern design/ development and sequences - Hands on involvement and demonstrations. There are NO ADDITIONAL costs. Basic materials will be included.Time: The course runs from 10am - 4.30pm. There will be tea and coffee breaks throughout and a half hour break at lunchtime. Lunch will be provided, along with tea, coffee and snacks. Please let us know in the order notes of any dietary requirements.  Cancellation policy Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts About Georgie at Hands of Tym During training at Cordwainers, London College of Fashion in 2010 I learnt how to design, make and manufacture bags professionally. Following a varied career in Accessories design and development across many roles and international brands I set up Hands of Tym in 2016. The courses I offer are suitable for all, from experienced to total novice. Come along to learn something new, and design and make your own leather bag in a day.

Want to sew your own clothes, or simply want to get to grips with that sewing machine that’s gathering dust in the corner? Join us fortnightly on Wednesday mornings and lose yourself in sewing. It’s all very relaxed and informal; we have large cutting tables for your pattern cutting and will help guide you through how to get the best out of your machine, whilst making something beautiful to take home. Bring your own machine, or if you’ve not invested in a machine yet use one of ours. Places are limited so please book to avoid disappointment.

1-2-1 Tuition ‘Learn something new and master your craft’Pattern cutting, making, design and business consultancy for Bags and Accessories Join us in the Hands of Tym Workshop, Oxfordshire (UK) for a day of learning and making. Learn directly from Leathersmith and London College of Fashion Lecturer, Georgie Tym. Who is 1-2-1 tuition for?1-2-1 tuition is ideal for those who want a tailor made session. An excellent choice if you’re looking to make a bag, pattern cutting, discuss your ideas or bag designs, or to engage in consultancy for your business. What to expect No matter your leather crafting dreams or goals, 1-2-1 tuition has you covered. Time: Sessions run from 10am - 4pm. There will be a light lunch served at midday and tea/ coffee breaks throughout. Location: Sessions can be run online or from the Workshop of Hands Of Tym in Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 9DH. Parking: Parking is available on the drive with easy access via the M40. Transport: Banbury train station is a 30 min walk. Trains run from both London Marylebone and Birmingham to Banbury in 50 minutes. We’re also well connected to Reading, Oxford, and Leamington Spa. What's included in the price? Materials are an ADDITIONAL cost. This includes all the leather, hardware and other materials required. There will be a selection of leather and hardware colours for you to choose from on the day or you may bring your own to use. Cancellation policy Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts About Georgie at Hands of Tym During training at Cordwainers, London College of Fashion in 2010 I learnt how to design, make and manufacture bags professionally. Following a varied career in Accessories design and development across many roles and international brands I set up Hands of Tym in 2016. The courses I offer are suitable for all, from experienced to total novice. Come along to learn something new, and design and make your own leather bag in a day.

A simple pattern drafting course for anyone wanting to learn how to make their own blocks from scratch - great for teachers of GCSE & A Level Fashion & Textiles for both Art & Design and D&T.

An Essential Sewing & Making Skills Course for Teachers of GCSE & A Level Fashion & Textiles for both Art & Design and D&T.

A simple pattern drafting course for anyone wanting to draft patterns for themselves or others. Great for teachers of GCSE and A Level Fashion & Textiles for both Art & Design and D&T.

Learn to make on-trend garments, develop your sewing & pattern cutting skills, whilst getting into the mind of a designer. We have a range of compelling and sustainable workshops taught by expert tutors and industry professionals.

Our six week course starts each July and focuses on Men’s pattern drafting, block patterns, figurations, cutting, fitting, remarking and master patterns. Successful students will be awarded a certificate.

If you’re a beginner bag maker, this Retreat is perfect for you. A whole weekend to immerse yourself in fabrics, stabiliser, professional techniques and tips to boost your confidence and your skills. Hopefully, there’ll be a lot of chat and laughter too! **This retreat is a little different from many others in that making a bag isn’t the point of the weekend, although you will indeed make one. The focus is on learning new transferable techniques and skills that you will be able to use on so many bags you make in the future. We have our own ‘Retreat Suite’ of rooms, including a spacious, light and airy sewing room which is equipped with a display screen so everyone can easily see demonstrations from a working viewpoint. We also have our own bathroom and kitchen facilities. If you wish, you are free to continue work after dinner and until as late (or early!) as you like. You will need to bring your own sewing machine, fabric scissors and any other favourite sewing tools, but everything else is provided. Come and join us in the exclusive Facebook group Bag Makers Retreat at https://www.facebook.com/groups/bagmakersretreat/ for all the latest retreat info, chat, gossip and more, plus a chance to meet other like-minded folks.  If you have dietary requirements, please tell me before you book, so I can be sure we can meet your needs. All meal main courses are included in the retreat fee, as are Saturday and Sunday lunches and breakfasts. Starters, desserts and drinks with meals are not included but the meals are so huge you probably won’t want starters and desserts anyway!! Tea and coffee is available whenever you need, but you do have to make it yourself!  If you’d like to stay an extra night or two, maybe to arrive on Thursday or leave on Monday if you have a long drive, let me know and I’ll check availability with our host. If you’d prefer to travel by train, we are happy to ferry you to and from the station, just ask. Please aim to arrive no later than 2pm as we have a lot of pattern cutting and fabric choosing to get through on Friday! Friday The fun starts here as you arrive at your weekend home-from-home – a beautifully refurbished, 4-star 18th century coaching inn with all the comforts you would expect. You’ll have time to settle into your own delightfully comfortable en-suite room which has all the anticipated little luxuries, before an introductory get-together with me and your companions in the sewing room at 2pm. You’ll be given your own copy of the bag pattern, which is very beginner- and domestic machine-friendly but which will incorporate a lot of features and techniques that are also in much more complex designs, making this an excellent springboard to any bag you want to make. Then you can wallow in the plentiful stash of fabrics to choose from, including some of my exclusive feature panel prints which aren’t available anywhere else. All the materials, interfacing, stabiliser, threads and bag hardware you need are supplied. As soon as you’re ready, you can start preparing and cutting out your pattern and some of the bag pieces so we can hit the ground running in the morning. After a superbly-cooked and substantial evening meal at around 6pm or so, you are welcome to continue working in the sewing room or to simply relax and chat there before bed. Saturday After an excellent breakfast, we can really start work adding to and adapting your bag pattern. You’ll work at your own pace from around 9am with no pressure – I want your weekend to be fun and not stressful! We will walk through the techniques together and I will be there the whole time to answer questions and troubleshoot any tricky bits. You’ll also have the chance to try sewing with faux leather , if you haven’t already, and we’ll explore ways and techniques to use and apply rivets.  Refreshments are freely available all day and you can take a break whenever you wish. A light lunch (with homemade cake!!) is also provided and we’ll have a short break in the middle of the day. The rest of the day will be similar to Friday – sewing, dinner at 6ish and more sewing if you wish to before bed. Do feel free to have a walk or just sit outside for a breather if the weather is kind. Sunday How can it be Sunday already?? Breakfast over, we’ll get back to work. You will need to allow a few minutes to pack and check out of your room, as it has to be made ready for Monday’s guests. Apart from that, it’s uninterrupted sewing (with refreshments and lunch breaks!) until your bag is finished. We’ll be heading off for lunch at 12.30pm or so. We have the sewing room for the rest of the day. If you don’t quite get done, there’s absolutely no need to worry as you’ll easily be able to complete your bag at home. If you finish earlier feel free to head home whenever you’re ready. Amongst loads of other hints and tips, you’ll learn – Interfacings – what to use and not to use Using stabilisers – which is best and why How to create a zipped pocket the pro way Adding a recessed zipper main closure to almost any bag Installing hardware Incorporating a built-in key fob Installing a rectangular base Sewing the bag together and topstitching A sneaky way of getting your bag right-sides-out without ugly seams! An easy way to add a zipper pull without tools Working with different types of rivet machine Faux leather on a domestic machine You’ll have handouts on all the techniques to take home. And I hope you have a lot of fun and make new friends while you learn!!  I never abandon my students at the end of the course so if you get stuck on anything at home, you are welcome to give me a shout on Messenger and we’ll sort out your problem together. The not-so-small print Book your place using the simple booking system below – just click on your choice of dates and go from there. The full price is £395.00. The deposit of £60 is non-refundable if you cancel but can, however, be credited towards a future retreat booked within the next 6 months. It is completely refundable if I or the venue cancel. The booking page only shows the Friday, but the course is running until Sunday. The balance of £335.00 is payable by approx 6 weeks before the retreat date and payment instructions will be sent to you in good time. Cancellations 4 weeks or less before the retreat date can only be refunded if someone on the waiting list can come instead. *Don’t worry that your booking confirmation may be headed Unicorn Studios – it’s just the site that I’ve run my booking system from for years… it’s not a scam!! *