Discover the Best Leather Classes in NYC
Leather crafting, or leatherworking, is the art of making practical items or unique pieces of art using techniques like molding, dyeing, carving, stamping, and fabrication. A part of human history from as early as 50,000 BCE, leather goods have long been an everyday commodity. From wallets to shoes, belts to purses, the crafting of leather goods is perhaps one of humanity’s most time-honored traditions, bridging the gap between form and function.
Leatherwork has been used to create everything from jewelry to shields to iconic gladiator sandals. From the Greeks to the Romans, throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance, leather crafting has always been a highly coveted skill. Further developments in the Industrial Age and new methods of tanning helped to streamline the practice into what you see today.
Both handmade and machine-made leather goods can now be found across the globe and serve as valuable, functional, and stylish pieces fit for any occasion.
Why You Should Learn Leather in NYC
Are you an aspiring artisan that values making bespoke goods to give to your loved ones? Do you dream of selling your leather goods to those who value quality handmade items? If you answered yes to these questions then leatherworking could be a rewarding hobby for you, one that utilizes your eye for function and form.
Busy schedules, demanding jobs, and free hours filled with social obligations can all contribute to higher levels of stress. Leather crafting can be a mindful outlet for those looking to relieve some of that tension and improve their mental health. Cutting, gluing, stitching, casing, and embossing are all tasks that will require your individual focus, allowing you to set aside your previous stressors and fine-tune your craft.
Have you recently moved to a new area, are starting a new phase in your life, or are simply looking for a new way to meet people? Leatherworking could help you to form those connections. A niche community of passionate craftspeople, you can easily plug into groups, like the International Leather Club, to make friends. You can also join forums or peruse local meetups of like-minded leather workers near you.
Do you dream of saying goodbye to your nine-to-five for something more creative? Interested in starting a side hustle to make some extra money? Leather crafting holds so much potential for those interested in starting or furthering a creative career. An expert in the field could find themselves working for a large retailer or brand, creating their own unique designs and bringing them to life. Or, you could run your own small business selling bespoke leather items, selling at markets, pop-up events, and festivals locally (or nationwide).
In-Person Leather Classes & Schools in NYC
If you live in New York City, Brooklyn Shoe Space offers a two-hour course called the Wallet Making Workshop. Students will learn the basics of hand-sewing leather and studding techniques while they create their own personalized wallets. Ideal for beginners, this course is offered for anyone 15 years of age or older.
The Brooklyn Shoe Space is also hosting a course on how to make your own hand-sewn leather chukka sneakers. This course is broken down into three sessions and will be led by Aaron Osborn from Osborn Shoes. You’ll use a pattern template to create a pair of minimal hand-sewn leather shoes with a single-layered upper. Choose between white, black, or vegetable-tanned leather and embrace your inner footwear designer.
Chukka’s not your style? The Brooklyn Shoe Space also hosts a hand-sewn moccasin-making course that will teach you all the same skills, plus how to craft fringe and use a sewing machine.
In hip and quirky Brooklyn, Craftsman Ave is hosting a custom leather wallet workshop. This four-hour class is an introduction to leatherwork for those new to the field. Students will begin with a single piece of leather and will then learn how to measure, cut, bevel, glue, punch, sew, and even engrave their handmade leather bi-fold wallet. No experience is required as you will be mastering all the core concepts of leather crafting.
Living in a city with expansive public transit, a roomy tote bag is a must. Join Craftsman Ave in Brooklyn for this four-hour course where you’ll craft a custom leather tote bag! Each student will begin by designing their own bag and will have a large selection of high-quality leather to choose from. Students will then be introduced to tools like bevelers, dies, anvils, and rivets, as well as a state-of-the-art Sailrite Sewing Machine. By the end of class, you’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind bag as well as the knowledge and skills to create even more leather goods.
Want to spice up your romantic life while embracing a new hobby? Join Craftsman Ave’s course, Date Night: Craft a Custom Leather Bag, in Brooklyn to design and sew your very own leather tote with your special someone. You’ll learn all the essential skills taught in their other tote course, like beveling, dyeing, and cutting. You’ll also have the added benefit of spending a unique evening with your date (with pizza and wine included).
If a tote bag isn’t your thing but date night is, Craftsman Ave also hosts Date Night: Craft a Custom Wallet. You’ll follow the same steps as the leather bag class but your end result will be a one-of-a-kind leather wallet. Pizza and wine are included in this class as well, so come hungry for both creativity and food.
Nazz Forge in Brooklyn hosts Leather Belt Making, a 2.5-hour course where you can learn the fundamentals of leatherworking. You’ll utilize skills like cutting, edging, riveting, and stamping to create a high-quality custom leather belt. COVID-19 vaccination is required for all classes at Nazz Forge, as is a signed waiver form.
Virtual Leather Classes & Schools
It can be difficult to decide if in-person or online classes are best suited for your particular needs. Perhaps there aren’t in-person classes available in your area or your schedule requires more flexibility. Maybe you prefer to learn from the comfort of your own home, home workshop, or craft room. If any of these ring true to you, it’s worth considering online leatherworking classes.
While in-person courses allow for face-to-face interaction with an expert instructor and learning in a hands-on environment with other students, online classes can typically accommodate more difficult schedules. Online students can learn about leatherwork from wherever they choose, avoiding traffic and long commutes. While you are usually required to supply your own materials and equipment, the flexibility of online classes can be very appealing.
On-demand leatherworking classes are even more accommodating. You can pause the class at your leisure and take an extended amount of time to master a skill. Live online classes allow you to still be able to ask questions of your instructor and receive feedback in real time without having to be physically in the same place. Regardless of if you choose live or pre-recorded, virtual leather crafting classes are ideal for those who need to squeeze their new hobby into their busy day-to-day lives.
Atelier by Héna offers three courses that may fit the bill. Firstly, they offer an online cardholder-making class that exposes novice artisans to basic leathermaking tools. You’ll learn beginner techniques like saddle stitching, sanding, and edge painting. By the end of this course, you will have completed your very own handmade leather cardholder. Tools are not included in this class, but they’ve provided a list of what you’ll need to source prior to attending.
Their second course is an online handbag-making course that teaches students how to design and create their own handmade leather goods. Basic skills like pattern making, cutting, bonding, edge painting, and saddle stitching are all taught by an accomplished instructor. As with the previous course, students are responsible for bringing their own tools.
And, for those interested in bringing together leatherwork and the craft of jewelry making, Atelier by Héna also has an online bracelet-making class. This course teaches the same basic techniques but with a focus on designing bespoke pieces of jewelry. Students will attend “live” with an expert instructor, allowing for timely troubleshooting.
Private Group Leather Classes in NYC
Do you have a team of colleagues deserving of a little fun? Looking to boost morale and form tighter bonds within your organization? CourseHorse coordinates private group leatherwork classes that can be customized to fit the needs of your organization or business. Led by expert instructors, you and your group can learn the basics of leatherworking like cutting, hand-sewing, machine-sewing, and even embossing.
With zero booking fees, confirmation within 24 hours, and the ability to adjust your group size within 72 hours of your scheduled class, CourseHorse makes scheduling simple and efficient. Plus, they also have extra benefits like multiple supported platforms and having your supplies shipped directly to your group, taking all the legwork away from you as the organizer.
If the class you’re looking for isn’t listed, it can still be provided! You can reach out through the contact form on the CourseHorse site to learn about the available options.