Classes & Workshops

 
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Check out and book Beginner, Open classes (Regulars and General) & also workshops on specific projects in the

WORKSHOP & CLASS BOOKINGS tab on the left hand side! 

Please note that these dates should be definite but are subject to change, if need be.
Also, bookings are not yet taken for some future classes.

Please note that these dates should be definite but are subject to change, if need be.
Also, bookings are not yet taken for some future classes.

INFO ON CLASSES

Leathercraft classes are held every Saturday morning from 8.45am -12.45 noon, with "Beginners Classes" and "Open Classes" every month, along with specialty classes slotted in each month. Included regularly are Belt/Dog Collar workshops and Carving & Tooling Workshops.  There are also regular shoe making workshops wtih Mario Dato in the downstairs workshop.

• Beginners class 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
• Saturday Open classes and Tuesday Open classes lets you work on your specific project and you are guided step by step.
• Its not mandatory to do the Beginners first, but it comes highly recommended!!!
• Tuesday classes are held once every three weeks, from 10am till 2pm, and are open classes to make what you want and you will be guided.

SATURDAY BEGINNERS

In these casual Beginner Classes you can learn to emboss (stamp), dye, seal, stitch and burnish edges on a simple item like a coaster, working on veg tanned leather. You also have a tour through the store showing all the different types of leathers and exotics.  This fun class teaches you the basics that will carry you through all of your projects including tool uses and leather choices. 
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.

     

SATURDAY OPEN CLASS **
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!

 SPECIALTY WORKSHOPS

WRISTLET PURSE

What a great way to use up your off cuts and scrap leather in this practical and attractive little Wristlet Purse by Don Gonzales.

Use leather we provide in this workshop or bring your own offcuts of veg, chrome, hairhide or exotics to pimp up your purse! 

(You will still receive our leather components in kit form to make another!)

A rewarding workshop where you will cut out your pieces, secure, punch holes and stitch, learn how to place and sew a zipper and depending on the thickness of your purse, turn your piece inside out or stitch on the outside.  Also make a great pencil case or makeup purse!  Possibilties are endless!

A Hand Stitching Day!

The entire project will be hand sewn using saddle stitch with waxed thread.

A fun project that needs to have your full attention

When:  Saturday 29th June 2019     BOOK HERE

Time:    8.30— 4.00pm

Where: Birdsall’s upstairs workshop

Cost:    $130.00 for a 7 hour workshop

Take advantage of the $7 healthy lunch option!

Supplied:

• Natural veg tanned cowhide overlay
• Chrome Upholstery leather for the base
• Blood knot strap
• 1 x 7” zipper
• Needles, O or D Ring,
• 25 yds waxed thread

 Required:

• Your own leathers if you would like to use them (You will still receive our leather components in kit form to make another!)
• Your imagination!

Examples shown by Don Gonzales have hand carved and tooled veg tanned overlays.  The purses in this workshop will be plain as per the time permitted.

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MAKE A TOP HAT... STEAMPUNK OR NOT!

Going to Ironfest, Winterfest, the Medieval Faire, Comicon, Supanova, or just anywhere you want to make a statement? 

For those Steampunkers / Cosplayers (Literally "Costume Play") / Medieval Re-enactors & Sci Fi fans out there, and as shows like Game of Thrones come to the fore, this is the workshop for you, and it’s a lot of fun!

With this genre of costume making, leather is a huge component, and people are flocking to the re-enactment movement and love anything that is as authentic as it comes. 

Hence here is the easy-to-make Top Hat where the steampunk theme and cogs are optional!  Put some thought into what hat band you may like.  Perhaps a vivid exotic snake or eel skin! 

You will be taken through the paces in this full day workshop, including cutting out your template, colouring, stitching and assembling your top hat to your desires. Be prepared to work at a fast pace!

You will be shown tips and tricks and also pitfalls with assembly.  You can assemble with kangaroo lace or waxed thread and learn the procedure to make yourself another top hat with ease.

When:  Saturday, 24th August 2019  BOOK HERE

Time:    8.30am — 5.00pm

Where: Birdsall’s upstairs workshop

Cost:    $175.00 for a 6.5 hour workshop and a top hat 

Supplied

• 3.5 sq ft x 1.5mm natural veg tanned cowhide (Not cogs or hatband)
• Dyes
• Waxed thread or kangaroo lace & needles
• Templates to share amongst students
• All tools to share—bring your own if you have them.

Required

• Hat band choice

Take advantage of the healthy $7 lunch option on the day!

What is Steampunk?  “Its a genre of science fiction that has a historical setting and typically features steam-powered machinery rather than advanced technology. Its essence is neo-Victorian vintage fashion with a modern sassy twist."

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MAKE A CUSTOM KNIFE SHEATH

Do you have any perfectly good knives with exposed blades?

Or do you want to make a better sheath than the stock standard boring ones that come with some knives?

Or if youre a knife maker, this is the workshop for you.

The safest and best way is to cover with a custom leather sheath.  In this workshop you will make either a two piece or a fold over sheath for a standard knife. 

You will learn how to make a welt so that that sharp blade will not harm the stitches in your sheath and how to wet mould if needed.

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 (Australian Russet with magnificent markings of nature of the beast) and will be dyeing or antiquing on the day.

You have the choice to decorate your sheath with stamping, with a very simple design, time permitting.

When:  Saturday, August 17th 2019      BOOK HERE

Time:    8.45am SHARP — 1.00pm

Where: Birdsall’s upstairs workshop

Cost:    $80.00 for a 4 hour workshop and your custom sheath                             

Supplied:

• 3.5mm natural cowhide
• Waxed thread
• All tools

Required

• Your knife
• Closed in shoes!

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MARBLE DYEING

This has to be one of the most creative and rewarding workshops which is just plain fun! 

Bring your kids (over 8 yrs) with you!

Discover this interesting technique, using marbling gel and dyes to create awesome artwork, on the wonderful medium of leather!  Once you refine your marbling skills on leather test pieces, you’ll be marbling this neat little decorative credit card or business card holder with your final marbled piece.  You can then apply marbling to any future project you desire!  

Your white powdered marbling compound will be mixed with water the night before, ready to use. It will resemble wallpaper glue in its clear paste form.  Once you add colour and imagination, watch your cool creations evolve and come to life.  They really are amazing! 

When:  TO BE ADVISED

Time:    8.45am SHARP — 2.00pm

Where: Birdsall’s upstairs workshop

Cost:    $115.00 for a 5 hour workshop and a take home card holder & test pieces

Supplied:

• 1.2mm leather
• Perspex piece
• Marbling compound
• Dyes
• Pipettes
• A3 paper
• Mink Oil or Carnauba Cream
• Small easy snap & setter

Bring from Home:

• Swirling implements (old comb, needles, paint brush ends, skewers, anything thin and pointy!)  

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HOW TO MAKE A LEATHER ROSE

Skiving skills are an advantage!!

If you would like to learn the art of leather rose making, come and join in on a very satisfying class.

You will learn to skive, colour, wet mould and assemble a realistic rose that is secured on its own stem and will last forever.  Your rose will come complete with a ladybird!

Skiving skills are definitely an advantage but not mandatory.  Brush up on those skills before coming to class if you can, otherwise you’ll be shown the art of skiving with a scalpel where your skills just get better with practice.

We dye our petals in a colour of your choice in a bath of dye and mould them as they are drying out.  Then comes assembly which is a whole lot of fun and extremely satisfying to see your rose come to life!  Learn some tricks to make your rose look realistic.

These pretty roses are lovely around the home, or make a beautiful gift.

When:  Saturday, 28th September 2019    BOOK HERE

Time:   8.45 sharp to 3.00pm

Where: Birdsall’s upstairs workshop

Cost:    $140.00 for a 6 hour workshop

Supplied:

Kangaroo or goat leather – small tea towel size.

Rose Kit containing:

cardboard stencils, 1½ wooden skewers, wire & ladybird

Skiving glass

All dyes

Leathercement glue

Modeling tool (stylus/spoon)

Required: 

Skiving knife (scalpel), and no 11 blades

*  Some tools available to share in classroom

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PAULDRON (SHOULDER ARMOUR)

Ironfest, Winterfest, St Ives Medieval Faire, or for no reason at all, lets make armour.

In this full day class, you will learn how to cut from a pattern, bevel edges, emboss, block dye, and assemble this quirky shoulder armour which can give you the skills you need to create similar pieces or more of the same!

We will use 2.5mm natural veg tanned cowhide, to give the look of heavy duty armour, without the weight.

For the novices, we can practice stamping on scrap leather before attempting your masterpiece.

Burnishing edges will finish off your professional look, including setting your buckle and hardware. 

Loads of fun, but beware: we need to concentrate on the task at hand to be able to finish in one day!

When:  Saturday, 27th July 2019  BOOK HERE

Time:    8.45 sharp — 4pm

Where: Birdsall’s upstairs workshop

Cost:    $170.00 for a 7 hour workshop and your armour

Why not take advantage of the $7 healthy lunch option available on the day.

Supplied:

• 2.5mm natural veg tan
• 1½ lengths of ¾” natural straps
• 3 x 20mm Dee rings
• 2 x 20mm O rings
• Pkt 5mm nickle rivets
• 1/2 pack 1/4” soft eyelets
• 2 x 20mm full buckle
• Dyes, sealers, conditioners, edge finishes,
• All tools

Required:

Your attention and your imagination

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 INTRODUCTION TO PLAITING with Owen Hartshorn

Learn the intricacies of plaiting, starting with a basic 4 plait, and then perhaps try your hand at 6 and 8 strands.

Long time plaiter, Owen Harshorn has been plaiting leather for over 30 years.  Learn skills from the master to be able to handle 4.7mm lace, (to make it nice and easy for you to pick up), and learn how to plait either flat or round braiding.

In this workshop you may be able to tackle some simple projects like a hat band, jewellery or bracelets, or round to flat plaiting like dog leads.

You may also be able to plait buttons, knots and turks heads If Owen thinks youre up for the challenge.

Whatever you decide to do in this introductory workshop, you can turn your work into something practical and attractive.

When:  Saturday 26th October 2019    BOOK HERE

Time:    8.30am — 3.00pm

Where: Birdsall’s upstairs workshop

Cost:    $98.00 for a 6 hour workshop and some take home masterpeices

Take advantage of the $7 healthy lunch option on the day!

  Supplied:

 10 mtrs of 4.7mm lace

 Braiding clamp

 Braiding lubricant

 Tools Required:

Sharp knife (Stanley, break off, etc)

Lacing fid

A small amount of items are available in the Craftroom to be shared amongst all students.

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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 can keep it plain in a cool colour or add bling to a pre-coloured belt length/dog collar to call your own.  Your choice. 

                  

You will learn to correctly measure you belt length, bevel your edges and decorate to your liking.  You can practice on some scrap leather if need be.

Burnishing edges will finish off your master piece, including setting your buckle and hardware.  Loads of fun!

• 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!

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.

SHOE MAKING WITH MARIO DATO

Learn to make a pair of custom made shoes from start to finish!

Shoes can include open toes, closed toes, high heels, flat heels or wedges, mens or womens. (Boots excluded for beginners) 

       

Skills you will learn include pattern making, cutting, machine skiving & machine stitching, folding, colouring, hand lasting, last building & edge finishing.

Both 6 week courses on consecutive Saturdays, or an intensive one week (5 day) course are on offer throughout the year with master Italian shoemaker, Mario Dato who has over 50 years experience. Perhaps bring a pair of old shoes you'd like to replicate or a photo of them!

Five Day - Intensive: Mon 26th to Fri 30th August 2019  BOOK HERE

Time: 9.00am to 3.00pm

Six Consecutive Saturdays -  Aug 24th to Sep 28th 2019  BOOK HERE 

Time: 9.00am to 1.30pm

Details
Where: Birdsall's downstairs workshop
Cost: $755.00 for a 6 or 5 day course & a pair of shoes!
($655 for repeat students, minus tools)
 

Cost is inclusive of:
· All tuition
· Leather and components
· Use of all tools & equipment
· Tools to keep: shoe hammer, lasting pincers, tack knife, clicking handle & blade, scratch awl, magic pen & apron - value: over $250!! 

Compulsory: Closed shoes & no loose clothing or hair Take advantage of the weekly payment system for the six week course of $130p/w for those of you a lump sum who prefer not to pay up front.

Private Tuition with Mario
Finding the time slots difficult to attend?  Or you don't need a full course?  We are introducing PRIVATE TUITION with Mario Dato which can fall on any day except Thursdays, Fridays or Sundays!  Exciting stuff!

Take advantage of the brilliant tuition you'll receive with Mario at the rate of $60/hour (minimum 2 hours). Email silvia@birdsall-leather.com.au for more info.
  

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ONE-DAY JANDAL MAKING (LEATHER THONGS) WITH MARIO DATO

New dates available..... Back by popular demand!

Would you like to learn how to make, AND walk away with a brand new pair of custom made leather thongs (Jandals)?
Master Italian shoemaker, Mario Dato, who has over 50 years experience will show you how to cut, shape, dye and assemble some simple, comfortable footwear, namely leather thongs.  Different designs are available in subequent Jandal workshops which will be advanced classes.

You need to email Silvia with your current thongs size, and make sure you have closed in footwear on the day, hair tied back and no loose clothing, as you will be using machinery in the workshop.

     
                                           
Cost is inclusive of:
Full days tuition
Use of all tools
Leather and components
Extra tools can be purchased at Birdsalls, or bring your own tools if you have them.

When: Saturday 12th October 2019       BOOK HERE
Time:    8.45am till 2.00pm
Where: Birdsalls downstairs workshop
Cost:    $130.00 for a 5 hour workshop and a pair of shoes!