leather workshops
I provide a range of group workshops as well as personal 1-1 workshops throughout the year as both an introduction to working with leather as well as opportunities to improve your existing skills. workshops are available to work on set projects or to work on projects of your own.
"I really enjoyed this course, and would highly recommend it. Nice flow and pace and easy to learn the steps. Cathy was so lovely and patient, and made me feel very welcome, the doggy cuddles were an added bonus. Can't wait to get started on my next leather piece"
laurette, april 2022
"Great first experience of leather workshop.
The workshop was designed to experience various tools & techniques.
Cathy was extremely patient & kind and guided me to compete my luggage label project.
The welcome committee, Jess & Jupiter, is an additional lovely element to the class."
zi young kang, march 2022
"This course was amazing! It was a great introduction to working with leather - all the tools were so interesting. I got lots of support and made a collar (with tag) and lead for my lurcher, both are gorgeous, made of lovely soft leather and ended up looking really professional. I was blown away by how talented and knowledgeable Cathy is. I could have just watched her make things for hours!! The time with Cathy was super relaxed and fun and she even had a puppy I got to stroke! Can’t thank her enough for opening up her studio to me."
anna, january 2022
"Thanks so much for yesterday. You were brilliant as usual."
michelle, september 2021
"Brilliant day. Cathy Edwards is a great teacher, very welcoming and extremely knowledgeable. We left with a jacket for a journal and a clutch bag, both made with our own fair hands. Never knew we had it in us. Definitely recommend this workshop for anyone interested in leatherwork or craft courses in general."
jamie, august 2021
"Thank you so much we had a fab time yesterday! We will definitely see you again xx"
kira, kl falconry
"Thanks for the great course at weekend. It was really enjoyable, and I learned a great deal. I really appreciate the extra help you gave when completing my bottle-holder. Whilst I found that section of stitching very hard, I feel that I have a good understanding of the whole process. So I feel more of an intermediate student than a beginner now. It was a good, cheerful group, I am looking forward to doing the Apron day in the New Year."
john, february 2021
"Couldn't have asked for a better workshop, can't recommend it enough! Christina was so lovely and informative. Will definitely be returning for another soon!"
chantal, september 2020
group workshops
30 April Tote Bag
28 May Tool Roll
30 July Gardener's Tool Belt
29 Oct Traveller's Bag
26 Nov Decorations
10 Dec Candle Wreath
upcoming group workshops will be listed here as they are confirmed. please contact me to register an interest in a group workshop if there are no future dates listed or you cannot make the scheduled dates.
mondays, 10am - 12midday, and 2pm -4pm
king street studios, lancaster
14 Sept Dog Collar
13 May Belt and Hip Flask
19 June Journal Cover
25 Sept tbc
22&23 Sept Satchel
17 Dec tbc
the sheffield museums kelham island
14 May Key Fobs
2 June Key Fobs
20 Nov tbc
27 Dec Candle Holders
the whitaker museum
tbc dec Candle Wreath Holders
18 June Tool Roll
19 Nov tbc
creative with nature, todmorden
1 May Tool Roll
21&22 May Back Pack
4 June Traveller's Bag
9&10 July Tote Bag
10&11 Sept Apron/Tool Roll
16 Oct Clutch Bag
12 Nov Hip Flask
13 Nov Belt
4 Dec Decorations
1-1 workshops
I provide one to one private workshop tuition in leatherwork at my studio in hebden bridge, west yorks. these intimate workshops are ideal as a special birthday or christmas gift or to buy for yourself if you cannot make any of the group dates, or prefer to work on your own special project with expert personal tuition.
1-1 workshops have the advantage of more flexible dates and times and can be booked as either full day, afternoon or evening workshops
special projects
catherine is always keen to work on special projects either with a group or on an individual 1-1 basis. examples of some previous projects include
- cycle panniers - taking a student from choosing leather, cutting individual patterns, strap cutting, hand stitching, finishing and finally fitting the finished panniers to the bicycle (8 week project - 1 x 6 hour day per week)
- cartridge case - using an existing pre WW2 cartridge case to take patterns from, choosing appropriate leather and fittings, hand cutting, lining, waxing and finishing (4 week project, 1 x 3 hour evening per week)
- teaching a student to create mountings for enamel plates, involving selection of materials, cutting, edging, mark making, dyeing, rivetting and waxing (2 week project, 2 x 3 hour sessions)
workshops at your school or organisation
catherine can provide half day, day or evening workshops at your school, college or venue of choice, tailor made to fit in with your current curriculum or project. these will include some basic leatherwork theory, experimentation, help with specific project work e.g. historical re-creation, or working towards a final piece. catherine can fit flexibly around your timetable, creating bespoke workshops if required. please contact catherine to discuss further details.