Studio Sessions 3: Design & Build a Classic Structured Messenger Bag/Breifcase

Level: Advanced
Format: 4 sessions | 3 hours each
Schedule: Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Starting January 6th
Location: Basäder Studio at The Livingroom Collective, Warren, RI

Step into the studio and immerse yourself in the craft of building a classic structured work bag from start to finish. In this advanced small group course, you will design and create a refined messenger style bag built to hold laptops, tablets, and everyday essentials. With a clean and timeless silhouette that leans slightly masculine while suiting both men and women, this piece becomes a functional companion for work, travel, and daily life.

The foundation of the bag is based on our best selling Classic design, and from there you will have the opportunity to make it your own. You may choose your flap shape, strap or handle style, and optional features such as a key lock or combination lock. You will also choose your construction method, whether with traditional hand stitching, the industrial sewing machine, or a thoughtful combination of both. This course is designed to honor your personal style as much as your craftsmanship.

To maximize studio time, students will select their design direction and leather color in advance. A live demo will show you how to modify the base pattern, giving you the confidence to personalize your build and continue designing structured pieces long after the course is complete. You will learn advanced techniques including translating your design into a working pattern, preparing and cutting panels, beveling and skiving, stitching by hand or machine, reinforcing key stress points, installing hardware, and refining your edges and surfaces through professional finishing methods.

Held in the quiet hours of the weekday morning, these sessions provide an unhurried and inspiring studio experience, ideal for artists, designers, and dedicated makers who want focused creative time by hand. Throughout the course, Elin will share insights from more than a decade of professional practice, blending traditional leathercraft with innovative techniques developed in her own studio.

Each participant will leave with a fully finished structured leather work bag, a piece comparable in quality and craftsmanship to Basäder bags valued between $650 and $1,200, along with the advanced skills and confidence to continue creating professional level leather goods on your own. By the end of this four session course, you will not only have designed and built a refined and durable work bag, but also mastered advanced techniques that elevate your craft and open new creative possibilities.

If you have no prior experience with leatherwork, we recommend completing Introduction to Leatherwork and The Essential Small Leather Bag before enrolling in this course.

Group size: 6 to 8 participants

Price: $950 per person (materials included)