Studio Sessions: The Essential Small Leather Bag

Coming soon: Studio Sessions: The Essential Small Leather Bag

Level: Beginner–Intermediate

Format: 2 sessions | 3 hours each

Schedule: Thursday November 6th & 13th, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Spend two focused weekday mornings immersed in the craft of leatherwork. Guided by Basäder founder Elin Johansson Antonelli, this hands-on course introduces you to both traditional leather-working techniques and the innovative, pared-back methods Elin has developed over more than a decade of professional practice.

Working with premium vegetable-tanned leather and minimal equipment, you’ll create The Essential Small Leather Bag — a timeless piece that can be personalized to suit your style. The base design can be finished as a minimalist clutch, a compact crossbody, or a small bag with strap — your choice of modification makes the project truly your own.

To maximize studio time, students will select their design direction and leather color in advance. During class, you’ll also have the option to stitch your piece by hand, machine, or a combination of both. A live demo will show you how to tweak the base design, giving you the tools to continue experimenting beyond this course.

What you’ll learn:

• Cutting, gluing, and preparing vegetable-tanned leather

• Edge beveling, burnishing, and finishing techniques

• Saddle stitching by hand (or machine stitching methods)

• Installing hardware and making small design modifications

By the end of the second session, you’ll leave with a beautifully finished piece — functional, versatile, and a reflection of your own creativity.

If you’re new to leatherwork, we recommend starting with our Intro Workshop before enrolling.