Classes & Workshops

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Check out and book Beginner classes and workshops on specific projects in the

WORKSHOP & CLASS BOOKINGS tab on the left hand side! 

ALL SATURDAY CLASSES COMMENCE AT 8.30 SHARP!!

Please note that any scheduled dates for future classes should be definite, but are subject to change, if need be.

INFO ON CLASSES

Leathercraft classes are held every Saturday morning from 8.30am SHARP -12.45pm, with "Beginners Classes" every month, along with specialty classes slotted in throughout the calendar year.

Included regularly are Belt/Dog Collar workshops and Carving & Tooling workshops. 

Beginners Class - Introduction to Leatherwork teaches you the basic fundamentals of traditional leatherwork including tool uses and a tour of the store, introducing different leathers and what's available to you.  These 4 hour classes are $70.00 each.  Beginners to advanced are all welcome. Bookings for all classes are essential and can be booked individually, by the lesson. Its not mandatory to do the Beginners first, but it comes highly recommended!!!

Optimum Open Classes are the next best thing to private tuition (without private fees) and let you work on your specific project and you are guided step by step.  Held on Tuesdays and Fridays:  Max 4 students from one to four hours @ $40/hr, commencing at 10am.  One student only - reverts to private tuition rates of $60/hr.  Contact Silvia direct to book into these classes silvia@birdsall-leather.com.au

Private Tuition is one-on-one training where you have the tutor all to yourself for maximum tuition. The rate is $60 per hour for one on one with Silvia Guerrera. Contact Silvia direct to book silvia@birdsall-leather.com.au

Please Note:  Optimum Open Classes and Private Tuition, can revert back to $15 room hire rates if you work independently, after been given a task to do, and the tutor returns to her desk to complete her own work, so your class time can be made up of full fees and room hire fees.  This can mean longer time in the classroom if youre on a budget!

Room Hire rates are $15/hr but come with no tutor.  You must have a basic understanding of leatherwork and the classroom.

BEGINNERS - INTRODUCTION TO LEATHERWORK

 
This class opens your eyes to what's available to you, and comes highly recommended. You only need one lesson to set you on your way.

      

OPTIMUM OPEN CLASS - TUESDAYS & FRIDAYS**
Maximum 4 students.  These subsequent classes can be any project you like (within reason) and you will be guided on the day.  This can include carving, bevelling and setting hardware like rivets, studs (baby dots), buckles and keepers, and new projects of your choice will be easy, like belts, journal covers, handbags, almost anything...

OPEN CLASS IMPORTANT INFO!

Book Beginners HERE.    

Book Open Classes at silvia@birdsall-leather.com.au      

ALL WORKSHOPS REQUIRE:

• Bookings are Essential

• Payment in full is required in advance to secure your spot. Credit card, Direct Deposit or cash are acceptable.

• A non-refundable 20% booking fee is applicable for cancellations less than 7 days prior to workshop.

• Closed in shoes are MANDATORY

PARKING: 

Parking on the grounds is strictly 2 hours.  Students for classes are required to park on the street.  Ample street parking is available on Saturday mornings. 

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BELT MAKING OR DOG COLLARS!

The principals of making belts or dog collars are the same, only one is shorter!  Learn the basics of how to get your measurements right, work through the steps in order and then decorate to your liking.

You'll be working on a pre coloured belt length and can add bling to decorate if you wish.  Your choice. 

             

• Belt length coloured in 1½" width (38mm) or similar sizing
• Standard nickle plated full buckle, or half buckle and keeper.
• Conditioners, edge finishes,
• All tools
• Please note:  At extra cost, brass, trophy and special buckles are all available in store, plus any extra conchos or embellishments or bling!

• IMPORTANT:  Please have the waist or hip measurement of the person you are making the belt for!  This is mandatory for the right fit!
• Your imagination!

OR YOU CAN MAKE A CUSTOM DOG COLLAR  

Have you ever wanted to personalise a collar for your dog, making it just the way you want?

In this workshop, you will walk away with your own handmade collar complete with extra hardware like conchos and studs if you wish. Your choice. 

  
Loads of options to choose from including brass hardware for dogs who enjoy the water.  Cost includes a 4-hour workshop, leather, standard buckles & hardware, and use of all tools & dyes.

Important!!  Please have your dog's neck measurement or an old collar to measure from.

(Please note that a basic dog collar will be completed in 4 hours, however, if extra embellishments & stitching are chosen, the project may not be completed in one day.)

When:  Saturday 24th May  BOOK HERE

• Time:   8.30am SHARP to 12.45pm
• Cost:    $90.00 for a 4 hour workshop
• DID YOU KNOW?  You dont have to wait for this class.  You can make a belt or dog collar in any Open class.
• Supplied:
• Veg tanned strap in pre coloured leather
• Hardware: nickle plated buckle & dee ring
• Tools, Dyes & Conditioner
• Extras:
• Brass & chromed brass hardware available plus loads of conchos and embellishments to choose from.
• Required:
• Your imagination!
• Perhaps an old collar you'd like to replicate.

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 CARVING & TOOLING LEATHER

Learn the basic skills of traditional tooling by carving with a swivel knife and using bevelling, background and decorative tools.  
Firstly, you will practice your carving and tooling skills on scrap leather, using a simple craftaid template, with long flowing lines, to get your skills up.
          
                           

Then we will work on a masterpiece from the multitudes of (more simple) Craft Aid templates that you can choose from, on natural veg tanned leather.
pictured above is a beautiful version, tooled by Peter Main, of the craftaid used in this class to help you learn about the tools used for traditional leatherwork.

When:  Saturday 26th July       BOOK HERE

THE WINONA TOTE

2 day workshop with homework!

This practical tote has finally arrived and although time consuming to make with hand sewing, is very rewarding and a nice strong addition to your accessories!

You will be using our supple Casa chrome tanned leather in your pre-ordered choice of colour and be prepared to do some homework in between sessions to finish in time!

Learning how to skive a few edges, and prepare the leather before punching holes and stitching your little hearts out!

We shall burnish and prepare some veg tanned straps and assemble them onto the bag with some attractive decorative hardware and you will also learn how to make a gorgeous tassle to hang from the bag.  Of course, this is optional.

When:  Saturdays 21st & 28th June 2025      BOOK HERE

Time:    8.30 SHARP — 5.00pm

Cost:    $295.00 for a two day workshop

(less than $150 per full day with materials!)

Supplied:

• Casa chrome tanned cut out in your colour choice
• Veg tanned straps
• Thread
• Double sided tape
• All hardware
• All tools

Required:

• BRING YOUR LUNCH

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THE LITTLE MANDALA HANDBAG - Evening or not!

A two day workshop with a little homework in between will give you this beautiful little Mandala handbag.

Firstly, we will trial out Mandala patterns on offcuts, with a myriad of tools to choose from and plenty of sample pieces to peruse.

Once you have sorted your mandala design, you will use a layout template for accuracy, and stamp on 2.5mm natural veg tanned leather, then colour to your liking. 

We shall use black sheep garment for the gusset and assemble using the Lazy S Stitch for a decorative finish. 

Some stitching could be completed at home between the two weeks.  Please note:  If homework is done, (but not compulsory)  the 2nd week could involve an early mark!

Then some nice, two colour contrast, round plaited handles will be made for this dainty little bag that will be the talk of the to

When:  Saturdays, 2nd & 9th August     BOOK HERE

Time:    8.30 SHARP — 4.00pm

Cost:    $260.00 for 2 x 7 hour workshops and your Mandala handbag

Supplied:

• 2.5mm natural veg tanned leather cut outs
• Sheep chrome tanned strip for gusset
• Lengths 4.7 & 3mm lace
• Perma lok needle
• Hardware

Required:

• Your imagination
• Your lunch

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SCHOOL HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS

Want something different for the kids to do this school holidays?

Lets get the kids off screens and get creative doing leatherwork.

Children 8-12 to be supervised with an adult, and 12 and up can fly solo.

All Tuesdays & Fridays in the School Holidays

First of all, practice on some scrap leather, learning what stamps can do, then work on some masterpiece, fun cut outs.

Once you’ve decorated your pieces, you will learn how to colour with block dyeing, antiquing or using wonderful metallic paints.  All fun stuff over two hours.

* If parents or carers decide to do the workshop as well, then the $35 fee applies, otherwise it is just supervision.

When:  Tuesday 8 July

Tuesday 15th July

Friday 11th July

Friday 18th July

    BOOK HERE

Time:    10.00 am—12.30pm

Cost:    $40.00 for a 2.5 hour workshop per child

Supplied:

• Scrap leather for practice
• Various cut outs to decorate and colour
• Dyes, sealers, conditioners, edge finishes,

Required:

• Your imagination and your attention

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A RANGE OF COMPACT CARD WALLETS

The very popular card wallets are an essential item in the modern age with slimline essentials

 Learn to assemble these great little compact wallets for your cards and notes.  You will receive cut out kits for 4 different types of wallets, namely the Joey, Skippy, Plane and Butterfly card wallets and you will assemble each one in turn.

Adhere with tape, punch holes on a margin line, and stitch in the colour thread of your choice.

This will be a fun class to show you different types of combinations using kangaroo hide, and some decorative leathers.

Any exposed edges will be burnished and youll be shown different ways to get a nice smooth edge.

Lots of skills learned in this workshop to take on to other projects.

When:  TO BE ADVISED

Time:    8.30 SHARP — 2.00pm

Cost:    $145.00 for a 5 hour workshop

Supplied:

• Leather cut outs for 4 card wallets
• Double sided tape
• Linen waxed thread and needles
• Harness posts, easy snaps
• All tools required

Required:

• Any decorative leathers if you have them
• Your imagination

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KNIFE SHEATH WITH BEN DUNCAN

Do you have knives needing custom sheaths?
Or do you want to make a better sheath than the stock standard boring ones that come with some knives?
Or if you're a knife maker, this is the workshop for you.        
       
Join knife maker and leatherworker, Ben Duncan to learn the principles and his precise methods to get the job done.  Starting with design, Ben will show tips and tricks and also pitfalls of sheath making.

In this workshop you will make either a two piece or a fold over sheath for your standard knife. 
You will learn how to make a welt so that that sharp blade will not harm the stitches in your sheath
Bring your favourite standard sized knife to work with, with the full length to not exceed 30cm.
 

You will be working with 3.5mm natural veg tanned cow hide and will be dyeing or antiquing on the day.

You have the choice to decorate your sheath with simple stamping (embossing) prior to colouring.

When: Saturday 19th July   BOOK HERE

$185.00 for an 8 hour workshop and your sheath

Time:    8.30am  SHARP — 5.00pm

Where: Birdsall’s upstairs workshop

Supplied:

• 3.5mm natural veg tanned cowhide
• Waxed thread & needles
• All tools & hardware
• Dyes, antiques, sealers & conditioners

Required

• Your knife
• Closed in shoes!
• Bring your own lunch

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