Four-Day Leather
Backpack Making Course

Our Four-Day Leather Backpack Making Course is an intensive, in-depth leatherworking workshop focused on constructing your own full-size handcrafted leather backpack.

This is a substantial and detailed project, designed for those who want to immerse themselves in the craft and develop a deeper understanding of leather bag construction. Over four days, you’ll work through the complete process of creating a functional, durable backpack while learning traditional techniques and more advanced construction methods.

On the day, you’ll be able to choose your preferred leather colour from a range of premium Italian vegetable-tanned leathers, allowing you to create a backpack with a finish and character that’s uniquely your own.

What You Will Learn

Across the four days, you’ll be guided through the complete construction process, combining fundamental leatherworking skills with more advanced techniques, including:

• Accurate marking and cutting
• Preparing leather for hand stitching
• Traditional saddle stitching by hand
• Skiving for refined and precise construction
• Edge bevelling, burnishing and finishing
• Pocket construction
• Strap construction and fitting
• Backpack panel assembly
• Hardware and fixing settings
• Structural construction techniques
• Detailed finishing methods

With multiple components, curved and structured sections, straps, pockets and hardware, the backpack provides an opportunity to explore how larger leather goods are designed and constructed for strength, functionality and longevity.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have completed your own handcrafted leather backpack, along with a much deeper understanding of traditional leatherworking and the confidence to approach more complex projects independently.

Who Is This Course For?

This four-day leather backpack course is ideal for:

• Beginners looking for an intensive introduction to leather bag making
• Students wanting to commit to a substantial, multi-day project
• Existing leatherworkers looking to progress into larger-scale construction
• Anyone wanting to develop their leatherworking skills through a detailed project
• Makers interested in traditional techniques and high-quality leather goods

No prior experience is required — just the enthusiasm and commitment to undertake a focused, in-depth leatherworking project.