Tag: belt

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Leather Workshops at Hardwick Park’s Mongolian Yurt!

Belt & Journal Workshop - 14th November
Belt & Journal Workshop – 14th November

Leather  Workshops in The Yurt at Hardwick Park

Evancliffe Leathercraft have been invited by Hardwick Park to deliver Leather Workshops in their Mongolian Yurt.

The Hardwick Park Yurt, one of the largest in the region, can accommodate up to 60 people, however, numbers for the Leather Workshops we intend to host there will be much much smaller.  In fact, our Leather Workshops will each be aimed at a maximum of 5 people.

With colourful bunting and a wood-burning stove the weatherproof Yurt provides an ideal place for craft and educational activities even on a cold day!

The First Leather Workshops in The Hardwick Park Yurt

The first One Day Evancliffe Leathercraft Leather Workshops in the Yurt at Hardwick Park will start on the 14th November 2015.  Two workshops will run concurrently after sharing a joint introduction.  Up to 10 people can take part, with up to 5 people making a Hand Stitched Leather Belt and another 5 people (max) making a Hand Bound Leather Journal.

Belt Making Workshop (Introduction to Leatherwork)

Hand Crafted leather Belt with Brass Buckle
Hand Crafted Leather Belt with Brass Buckle

This one day Workshop will introduce you to the principles of hand crafted leatherwork through the making of your own hand stitched, hand dyed, leather belt.

A Hands On workshop during which you will learn how to mark out, cut and dye veg tan leather to make a belt.  You will  then prepare it for stitching and practice the technique of saddle stitch.  The workshop will also show you how to burnish the edges of the belt and finish the leather.

Hand Bound Leather Journal Workshop

Leather Hand Bound Red Heart Notebook
Leather Hand Bound 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.

What’s included

The price includes tuition, use of tools and materials including the leather, buckles,  paper etc. dependant on the options chosen.  Tea & Coffee will be provided.  Please bring your own lunch and any soft drinks / snacks you  require, alternatively refreshments are available from the near by Hardwick Park Visitor’s Centre.

Information & Booking:

For more informationabout our Workshops in the Yurt at Hardwick Park please visit our website at: https://www.evancliffeleather.co.uk/training-workshops/

 

Hardwick Park Location:

The Yurt is at Hardwick Park, Sedgefield, Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland TS21 2DN <View on Map>

Hardwick Park on the Web: http://www.durham.gov.uk/hardwickpark

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We had a belting time in Newton Aycliffe making Leather Belts

Our first Introduction to leatherwork – leather belt making workshop in Newton Aycliffe went well.

Students were introduced to the principles of hand crafted leatherwork through the making of their very own hand stitched, hand dyed, leather belt in this one day hands on workshop.

Practice Piece

The students practiced all the techniques they would need for making the belt  including strap cutting, cutting leather, marking out, stitching etc.  by first producing a small leather bookmark.

Threading a Needle
Threading a Needle


Belting Up

With these skills mastered, the students set off to make the actual belt.  First they cut a strap using a strap cutter.  They then marked out the end of the belt for the buckle and made the required holes using a hole punch and knife.  Following this, the stitching was marked out.

At this stage we showed them how to apply the dye to colour the belt.  They both chose a different colour and applied the dye.

Dying a Belt
A student dyes his belt

 

Once the dye was dry (it does not take long) the students practiced their new skill of saddle stitch and sewed a buckle of their choice on to the end of the belt.

Wendy Elsdon of Evancliffe Leathercraft assisting a student.
Wendy Elsdon of Evancliffe Leathercraft assisting a student.

 

The Buckle has been sewn onto the belt.
The Buckle has been sewn onto the belt.

 

The belt was then measured, holes punched and the end shaped to the traditional “Church Window” shape.

The dye was touched up where the end had been cut, the edges were burnished and the belt was finished with a special cream.  Both the students left happy with their new skills and their very own hand crafted belt!

Students Proudly Display their Finished Belts
Students Proudly Display their Finished Belts

Feedback

We have had some great feedback from people about out Belt Making Workshops:

“The hands-on leathercraft workshop that Clive and Wendy offer are first class. They explain everything in 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.

“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. 

Future Workshops

Our belt making workshop costs £60.00  per person and includes tuition, use of the tools , the leather for the belt and a buckle.

Tea & Coffee is be provided but students are advised to bring their own lunch and any soft drinks / snacks they  require.  (Local shopping facilities may be available depending on venue.)

 

You can find out about our planned workshops at www.evancliffeleather.co.uk/events or contact us to arrange bespoke workshops by email to welcome@evancliffeleather.co.uk

 

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FAQ No.1 – What length of Belt do I need??

Hand Craft Leather Belt
Hand Craft Leather Belt

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:

Size 4 = 24.5″, Size 6 = 25.5″, Size 8 = 26.5″, Size 10 = 28.5″, Size 12 = 30.5″, Size 14 = “32.5”, Size 18 = “37.5”

Is there a simpler way?

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?
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…

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Introduction to Leatherwork – Belt Making Course

Want to learn the basics of Hand Crafted Leatherwork?

Want to make your own hand stitched leather belt?

 

Hand Crafted leather Belt with Brass Buckle
Hand Crafted Leather Belt with Brass Buckle

Our one day course will introduce you to the principles of hand crafted leatherwork through the making of your own hand stitched, hand dyed, leather belt.

A Hands On course during which you will learn how to mark out, cut and dye veg tan leather to make a hand stitched leather belt.  You will  then prepare it for stitching and practice the technique of saddle stitch.  The course will also show you how to burnish the edges of the belt and finish the leather.

The price of £60.00 per person includes tuition, use of the tools , the leather for the belt and a buckle.  We provide Tea & Coffee on the day, but you should 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.

For information about this course and others we currently have scheduled please visit our Courses Page.