We are pleased to announce three new workshop dates!
Saturday 14th March 2015 – Introduction to Leatherwork Belt Making Workshop
Saturday 11th April 2015 – Hand Bound Leather Journal Workshop
Saturday 9th May 2015 – Introduction to Leatherwork Belt Making Workshop
Workshops run from 10:00am – 4:00pm with a 30 minute lunch break.
All the workshops will be £60.00 per person including materials and tool use. Tea and Coffee will be provided. Sandwiches etc. are available reasonably locally or you can bring your own packed lunch.
“A beautiful hand crafted leather journal for my wife. Amazing quality and great customer service. Perfect gift…thanks!” – Tom B. (Hand bound leather journal.)
“Beautiful little journal, hand tooled and finished to a fabulous standard, can’t recommend enough.” – Vannesa W. (Hand bound leather journal.)
“The hands-on leathercraft workshop that Clive and Wendy offer are first class. They explain everythingin an easy to understand manner, making the course idea for total beginners. The cost of the workshop includes all material so there are no surprises or extra costs.” – Jayson G. (Introduction to Leathercraft – Belt Making Workshop.)
“Thanks to Clive and Wendy for a great course today. Karen really likes the leather belt I made for her and I now know that I will be spending any Xmas money on tools to make some more.” – Bill W. (Introduction to Leathercraft – Belt Making Workshop.)
“I just wanted to confirm I have received the item and am very pleased with it. Great service and product. ” – Ryan T. (Railway Tee-Key Holder.)
(Ryan also submitted another review to our facebook page about 3 months later, which we have added below.)
“Ordered my carriage key holder a while back for a more authentic look and the fact I wanted a solid hard wearing product. After several months use I am not disappointed. The item is well made looks fantastic and has been engraved with my initials. The service was quick and professional. Would and have recommended to colleagues.” – Ryan T. (Hand Stitched Leather Tee-Key / Carriage Key Holder with initials.)
“Collected my leather tankard from Clive Elsdon, absolutely chuffed, well worth the wait.” Alan A. (Custom made wet molded tankard.)
“I had a mobile phone case from these great folks, top of the bill, gets commented on all the time. I would urge you to get in touch, they will do bespoke items.” – Alan A. (Custom mobile phone case that could be used for one of two different phones.)
“A wonderful quality leather journal and belts for myself and Children. Well done to Wendy and Clive. Great service and products!” Gary F. (Custom made Leather Journal & Custom Made Leather Belts.)
This is a question we get asked a lot when people order custom belts from us! There are a few different answers …
Men’s Trouser Waist Size
For men, the size of your belt is roughly the same as your trouser waste size plus 2″. So if you’re wearing a 34″ waist pair of trousers, then you need a 36″ belt etc. etc. This allows for the fact the belt goes around the outside of your trousers and that your shirt is tucked into your trousers etc.
Of course, that’s not always the best way to tell us. We know that some trouser sizes actually vary from manufacturer to manufacturer or style to style.
Women’s Dress Size to Waist Size
Women’s clothes are not normally sold in a particular waist size but use a Dress Size system. Converting this to a waist size is not an exact science, but a rough guide for UK dress sizes is as follows:
Yes, we think there is anyway. You can measure yourself. Think about where the belt is going to sit, and simply measure around yourself at that point. Let us have the actual measurement and that is what we will base the belt size on, adding 2″.
Simpler than that?
Possibly? Have you got an existing belt you feel comfortable with? If the answer is yes, what better thing to base the measurement of your new belt on? But…
1) Do not simply take the size off it’s label.
Belts tend to reshape themselves and stretch over time.
2) The overall length of a belt, from end to end, is not what we are after.
This measurement would not be a great deal of use to us. It may include a random length at the end and it does not tell us where on the belt you are fastening it.
What do we need then?
What we want to know is the distance from the inside edge of the buckle frame to the hole you use on the belt. Not the other holes, just simply the hole you use. To help, we’ve prepared a diagram. This should make it very simple to measure.
What length of belt do I need?
(If your buckle is the decorative style that has a protrusion on the back that clips into the hole on the belt, it’s that protrusion you should measure from.)
Anything else?
Belt Width
We’ll need to know what width the belt you want is. Usual widths in inches are 1/2″, 1″ and 1 and a 1/2″. If you are supplying the buckle, that will answer the question for us.
Units
If you are providing measurements, please make sure you state what units you are using. (You’d be surprised!) We can handle Metric or Imperial, we’re not bothered which as long as we know what it is, mm, cm, inches, feet etc. etc…
Workshops & Events
Current Month
november, 2026
Hand Bound Leather Journal Workshop - Saturday 28th November 2026Evancliffe Leathercraft19 Holywood, Wolsingham, Bishop Auckland DL13 3HE
Learn to make a hand bound leather journal.
This hands-on workshop will teach you to make a hand bound leather journal from scratch.
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Event Details
Learn to make a hand bound leather journal.
This hands-on workshop will teach you to make a hand bound leather journal from scratch. Starting with a large sheet of paper you’ll be guided through the process of turning it into the individual pages of the journal, binding them together and adding a leather cover as well as a page marker.
You will be given the opportunity to dye the veg tan leather to form the cover as well as adding decoration using embossing / stamping it if you wish. Alternatively, you can choose from a selection of ready dyed chrome tan leather subject to stock.
The price includes tuition, use of the tools and materials including the leather, paper etc.
Tea & Coffee will be provided. Please bring your own lunch and any soft drinks / snacks you require.
Closed toe footwear should be worn. If you wish to protect your clothing (from dye etc.) please bring a suitable apron.
Directions:
We will send out detailed directions and access instructions shortly before the workshop.
Accessability:
There is one step to access / leave our premises. There are no steps once you are inside. Internal circulation can accommodate a standard wheelchair.
We do not have a fully accessible W.C. but the one provided is larger than average and could accommodate a standard wheelchair. We are happy to discuses any individual access needs.
Cats:
We have two cats who choose to live with us and who normally have access to the workshop area. If you have an allergy to cats, or would simply prefer them not to be around, this can be accommodated providing we are advised in advance.
Many of our students travel some distance to take part in our workshops and may need to find accommodation for one or two nights locally. Many also remark on how beautiful Weardale is, something that you will see first-hand if you take part in one of our workshops overlooking Weardale.
Evancliffe Leathercraft are members of the Weardale Visitor Network, a partnership of businesses who have a passion and commitment for developing the tourism trade and visitor experience within Weardale.
If you need to cancel your booking for any reason please contact us as soon as possible.
Our refund policy is:
Over 30 days before the workshop date: Full refund OR alternative date if available.
Between 14 and 30 days before the workshop date: 75% refund OR alternative date if available.
Less than 14 days before the workshop date: No refund given.
Refunds due will be paid to the original payee by the original payment method. If you do not turn up for your workshop, you will not be eligible for a refund nor will you be eligible to move your booking to an alternative date.
In the unlikely event that a workshop has to be cancelled by Evancliffe Leathercraft, you will be offered the choice of a full refund or the opportunity to book onto an alternative workshop (if available). You will be given as much notice as possible if a workshop has to be cancelled.
This policy may be subject to change so please check at the time of booking. The policy in place at the time of booking a place on a workshop will apply in the event of cancelation.
