A General Leatherwork Skill Day
About the Course
Sometimes what you want to learn is not listed in a specific course.
Think of this as an 'All Skills Session', an opportunity to look at a specific area or item you need to work on.
This can include such things as: Inlays, Overlays, Piping, Rolled Edges, Handles, Padding, Lining, Gussets, Design, Pattern Making, Plaiting, Whip Making, Quirts, Sheaths, Welts, Straps, Pouches, Hinges, Closures and the list goes on.
If you have an area you would like look at in detail, get in touch and let's discuss it.
Each session is tailored to you, your level of skill and what you need to learn, just let me know.
This is listed as a 1 day course, but like all of my courses, this can be extended to suit you.
Drop me an email with what you have in mind and an idea when you would like to undertake the course and I will let you know dates available.
Nigel
If you will be redeeming a CraftCourses gift voucher on this course, the voucher code must be provided at the point of booking.
What's included in the price?
All materials are included in this course along with a light lunch and unlimited tea and coffee.
If you are looking at working to a specific item, let me know the details so I can ensure what you need is made available.
Contact
Nigel Armitage at Armitage LeatherDrakelow Business Park, Walton Road
Burton-on-Trent
Staffordshire
DE15 9UA
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Suitable for
- Public transport
Available as a gift
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I really enjoyed my day brushing up on the techniques I already have and then moving onto learning new techniques. Nigel is very knowledgeable and teaches with great enthusiasm, I came away feeling I had achieved so much and am already booked for next date!
I recently had a course with Nigel. It is my second course with him and it was as good as the first, if not better. He perfectly pitched the course to the stage I am at now. He was able to build on the skills I already have, taught me new ones and shared his knowledge, so I can become a better leatherworker. He is so encouraging and has a great sense of humour. I can see a big difference in my leatherwork since coming back from the course.
You also get to work with some amazing tools!
I will definitely be booking another course with Nigel, he has made such a difference. I would highly recommend his course.
Doing It Right The First Time.
Over the past seven years I have been a making leather goods by myself. Through the direction of a few young teachers and YouTube videos I’ve learned how make a few leather items. I’ve always enjoyed making things by hand however, the quality of my workmanship has never been to my satisfaction. My work has always lacked the consistency that I’ve always found with professionals.
Last week I had the opportunity to visit the U.K. and I thought that I would take the chance to visit Nigel Armitage`s workshop. Fortunately, Nigel had a window of time available and I dropped by for a lesson. This ended up being the highlight of my trip. :-)
Nigel initially audited my skills and gave me clear explanations to resolve my problems. Calm instruction was evenly paced avoiding any feelings of confusion or being overwhelmed.
He explained that the fundamentals of cutting, measuring and sewing are crucial to not only create an item to be proud of, but to do it with confidence and speed. Nigel demonstrated his methods and I copied them under his careful guidance. The day after the lesson, a follow up email was sent reviewing the points of what we had done.
Nigel didn’t actually mention this phrase but I felt that it encapsulates a philosophy that I walked away from his lesson. “Doing it right the first time”.
Arriving back from my trip I eagerly returned to my own little workshop with much enthusiasm and I can immediately see the positive results from my work.
Mr Armitage is instructor who not only has the workshop skills to create beautiful goods but also the demeanour and interpersonal skills of a great teacher.
I felt like I have walked away from the best leathercraft course in the world. I`ll definitely be making another visit.
Chris G
Learning from Nigel is a privilege. He passes on his extensive knowledge and skill with passion and patience and is very inspiring to spend time with. This is my second visit and I am already looking forward to my next one. Thank you.
I took my first course with Nigel about 3 months ago and it immediately improved the quality of the items I was making. The aim of this one-day course was to learn some new skills and to cover some general leatherworking topics as well.
Nigel tailored the course to suit my needs and concentrated on a few topics that would result in the biggest improvement for someone with my level of experience. These areas included: showing me how to make more precise patterns that reduce the scope for problems later in the build, how to get the most out of my new KS Bladepunch stitching irons, and how to improve my edge finishing.
I also had a lot of general questions about things that have cropped up over the past few months. These include things like which leather and furniture to use to make specific items, and where best to source these from.
Nigel gave me his undivided attention and answered every question I had, including some crucial information that I could not find anywhere else despite spending hours watching online tutorials.
I would highly recommend this course whatever level of experience you have at the moment. I plan to book another two-day course in a couple of months time as it represents such a good investment for anyone serious about improving their skills and knowledge.
Just finished my day course and it was amazing!! Such good value for money as it’s a personalised 1 to 1 session and Nigel focused it around my project for making a dog collar! I left today with so many new skills, and considering I am a complete beginner, I have the confidence to know I am off to a good start! I left with a completed (pretty good first attempt) dog collar which I am very proud of!!
Thank you so very much, you are a great teacher!! I will get practicing and book another course soon :)
Just got back from an excellent day with Nigel.
It was my first time working with leather but after today, I’m hooked! I’m now going to go away, practise the new skills I’ve learnt and apply them to my own projects.
Nigel’s teaching style is brilliant - very patient, he explains everything really well so it’s easy to understand and his approach is very methodical.
Lunch and endless cups of (real) coffee were nice too!
Highly recommended.
Spent the day honing skills and learning lots of things from stitching to pricing up leather goods. Nigel is a patient and inspiring master of his craft and I plan on spending many more days under his tuition as and when needed. Nigel is passionate about traditional leather work and keen to pass on his knowledge to enable others to honour the leathersmith craft. Fabulous day and worth every penny.
Hands down the best course I've ever been on. In anything. Solid 5 stars.
Perfect for the beginner, this is a fantastic hands-on experience mixed with the theory behind it all and a fascinating history lesson thrown in too, all set at a pace that gives you plenty of time for it to sink in. It's amazing what you can learn to do in a day!
I walked through the door with no knowledge of leatherwork whatsoever but over the next few hours I was able to go through the core techniques and then actually put them all into action and produce something that I will be able to keep forever.
Nigel's friendly, patient, expert guidance all the way made it not only a great learning experience but an absolute joy from start to finish. The day is centred entirely around what you want to achieve and I couldn't fault a single thing. Outstanding tuition in a beautiful craft - I would strongly recommend this course to anyone who wants to give leatherwork a go. This is absolutely the way to start.
I traveled from the Pacific Northwest part of the U.S.A. to spend a full five days under the instruction of Nigel. It was time and money well spent and I would not hesitate to do it again. Nigel is a very amicable and multi-talented individual with a great sense or humor and human sensibilities. His knowledge and expertise in the art of leathersmithing is impeccable, and his passion for what he does shows through in his non-intimidating manner of instruction. In our present day and time, where technology has all but erased a great amount of knowledge and skills of once necessary crafts that have all but disappeared, Nigel is one of those rare individuals today who is attempting to carry on and revitalize skills that have a history as far back as has been recorded by humankind. If you want to know how to work in leather, create items of quality, then Nigel Armitage is one who you should seriously consider to guide you into your goals.
Nigel was a great teacher really enthusiastic and has an brilliant knowledge of his craft. Every process was thoroughly explained and well guided, I never felt overwhelmed. Although there is a lot of techniques to cover (one day can never cover everything!) Nigel will make sure you get the most out of your day. I thought it was definitely worth the price and I now have a new passion in leather work.
Refreshments are provided, the coffee is excellent !