2434 Courses

The Small Winged Armchair uses all the same skills and techniques that are needed when upholstering a full size armchair – it’s just smaller and easier to handle. The 4 day course is 100% hands-on, practical and fully supported at all stages.

If you want to bag-make with genuine leather but are nervous of trying it, this weekend is ideal for you. It will give you the confidence to make your own leather bags at home and you’ll make some fab friends along the way! VERY IMPORTANT! Before booking, please check that your machine can cope with sewing at least 6 layers of faux leather or vinyl. Flat sewing is fine – if the machine can do that, we can manage lumps and bumps! **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. We’ll have a good selection of fabrics, vinyls and leather for you to browse and purchase if you wish, at retreat-only prices.  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 strong domestic machine-friendly (see note in bold at the top of the page), 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 leather or other bag you want to make. Then you can wallow in the plentiful stash of leathers and fabrics to choose from. All the leather, fabrics, 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 learning some new skills and beginning work on construction. 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 a lightish 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 – Choosing and handling leather How to make professional quality rolled handles Creating and applying custom bag feet How to create a zipped pocket the pro way How to use edge paint and get a professional finish with it Sewing the bag together and topstitching Reducing bulk with leather 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 and loads more. You’ll have an exclusive pattern, created just for the Retreats, which includes comprehensive mini-tutorials and full instructions. 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 £465.00. The deposit of £65 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 £400.00 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. If you book, pay and attend without pre-checking that your machine can sew the required thicknesses, as detailed in the note at the top of the page, I’m afraid no refunds will be given if it proves that your machine can’t cope during the Retreat. I may have a machine available to lend, but can’t promise one. *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!! *

– BAG MAKING COURSE – LEATHER GOODS MAKING COURSE: MAKE A STITCHLESS LEATHER BAG – WHAT IS THIS COURSE ABOUT?This is one of our group leather goods making courses for beginners that we organise at our London studio.Using beautiful vegetable-tanned leather, basic leather tools and simple metal fittings, you will make a stitchless leather bag while learning five basic leather working techniques.You will customise your bag by choosing between two designs (see photo gallery) and selecting your preferred colours of leather and fittings.No sewing skills or experience is required!At the end of the course, you won’t just take home a beautiful bag made entirely by you but also an understanding of working with leather and essential leather tools.WHAT WILL I LEARN?During our leather goods making courses, you will always receive an introduction to:-Different leather types-Essential leather tools You will then learn these 5 basic leather working techniques:-Marking leather-Cutting leather-Folding leather-Punching leather-Burnishing leather In the second part of the course, you will apply the techniques learnt by hand-cutting and assembling your beautiful bag using screw studs. No sewing is required.INCLUDED IN THE COURSE:All materials and tools are supplied.WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?This course on making a stitchless leather bag is suitable for beginners.You should be able to use measurements and understand verbal and written English instructions. ADDITIONAL MATERIAL PROVIDEDIn addition to the course, you will receive the following useful handouts to take home with you:– An introduction to leather types and features – A glossary of leather craft tools which includes images and helpful descriptions – A list of the basic fittings used in handbag making, including images and descriptions – A list of reputable suppliers to buy leather and fittings from (in London and online)HOW LONG IS THIS TUITION?:This tuition will require up to 7 hours to complete.We aim to provide customised and high quality tuition services and by only allowing up to 5 students at a time, we are able to focus on each person needs and interests.As every student has a different level of ability and previous experience, this course might lead some students to complete the core aspects of the lesson in a shorter time frame than others.Students who complete the course early will be welcome to stay and use the studio facilities to exercise on the topics of the lesson.

Learn the Essentials of Gift Wrapping & have some fun with your team this festive season  What’s included (and how it will help): Step by step tuition covering all the Essential Techniques of gift wrapping so they never need to grab a gift/bottle bag again Practical guidance on tying different styles of Ribbon Bow so they can confidently use them on any gift (and when it’s best to use each one) Learn Pro tips so you feel less overwhelmed & can gift wrap quickly at busy times Plus all materials are provided A class is a great opportunity for team building/bonding so that people get to know each other outside of a work setting and/or meet people in person. It’s an inclusive alternative to a Christmas party (boozy meals/discos aren’t for everyone) and everyone gets to take away a gift at the end of the class. Packages start from £597 for groups of up to 10 people. Dates & times can be booked to suit. Book a call below to discuss your requirements.

Join our Beginners Dressmaking Class and sew a stylish skirt from scratch! Learn pattern reading, tracing, waistband construction, adding pockets, and seam finishing with an overlocker. Perfect for beginners! £100. Sign up now!

Learn how to create exciting effects with enamels. Scraffito, wet packing, and cloisonné are just some of the techniques you'll learn in this workshop. Whether you're looking to expand your skills or just want to learn something new, Enamel Workshop is for you! Fired & finished to take home with you, this Enamel Workshop is a fun way to explore and expand your skills.

This course is ideal for all, from beginners to confident makers. You will learn the basics of leather craft for accessories and be introduced to techniques including machine stitching on leather, hand finishing and hand cutting. You will also be working with the full spectrum of leather types from soft leathers and suedes to a hard sturdy veg tanned leather. This is a perfect introductory course to start your journey into leatherwork and bag making as you will experience the wide variety of tasks involved in the work. In order to complete your bag in a day we will use part pre-prepared components and the bag will be made from a ‘Hands of Tym’ pattern but do not fear there is still plenty of work for you to do. During the day you will be directed by your tutor Leathersmith and London College of Fashion Lecturer Georgie Tym to make: A fully lined 'Turned seam' 'W Base' Medium Leather Tote bag with raw edge straps. There will be one small pocket inside attached to the lining The dimensions of the Tote Bag are 300mm x 320mm x 160mm. It will be the same construction as the bag in the photos - please contact for more info or view online Parking available on the drive with easy access via the M40. Banbury train station is a 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 4 What's included in the price? There are no additional costs. All leather, hardware and other materials will be included. There will be a selection of leather and hardware colours for you to choose from. There will be lunch served at midday and tea/ coffee breaks throughout. 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.

The Alhambra Palace complex is home to some of the finest examples of Islamic Geometric Pattern in the world. During this three-day course we will learn how to construct a number of these patterns - ranging from the simple to highly sophisticated - using the traditional geometer's tools of compass and straightedge. This course will be led in a gentle, easy to follow, step-by-step manner, suitable for both beginners and experienced alike.

We are eagerly looking forward to welcoming Australian based Artsist/Educator and Projective Geometry expert Sophia Montefiore back to SAOG Studios for a Summer 2021 Projective Geometry course. Participants will be introduced to the fundamental and profound principles of this unique art form through drawing/construction and colour work focussing on Spirals, Buds and Vortex Forms.

Spring Wreath Making Workshops in Oxfordshire in person, online or in kit boxes. A perfect Mother’s Day gift or a wonderful Spring craft. Create a Living Spring Wreath with Spring Bulbs, flowering Plants and foliage at one of our popular Workshops in Didcot and Faringdon.