LEATHER WORKSHOP
THE FLAXMILL
SHREWSBURY
SHREWSBURY
LEATHER WORKSHOP
Leather Workshop at The Flaxmill Shrewsbury
Leathercraft Workshop at The Flaxmill, Shrewsbury
Sunday 12th April 2026
Morning Session: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Afternoon Session: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Join us for a small-group leathercraft workshop set within the historic surroundings of Shrewsbury Flaxmill — recognised as the world’s first iron-framed building and an important landmark of industrial heritage.
Led by an experienced artisan, this hands-on 3-hour session offers the opportunity to learn traditional leatherworking techniques while creating your own hand-stitched leather piece to take home.
With a maximum of just 4 participants per session, this workshop is designed to provide focused guidance, individual attention and a high-quality learning experience. Suitable for over 18's only.
Peter Smedley has been working with leather for over fifteen years. What began as a thoughtful gift — a leatherworking course in the Peak District — quickly became a lasting passion. He found the craft both inspiring and deeply engaging.
Being able to create the leather goods he wanted to use — pieces he struggled to find elsewhere — opened up a world of possibilities. The pursuit of combining attractive form with reliable function, crafted sustainably and built to last, became central to his work. In a culture of disposable products, Peter is committed to making durable, mindful pieces designed to age beautifully — and, perhaps, become heirlooms.
Leathercraft can feel daunting at first. It’s not that information is scarce — quite the opposite. There is an abundance of tools, materials and techniques to understand. Like any craft, leatherwork is not something found in our DNA, but in our practice.
This workshop is designed to guide you through the essentials and show you that you can create beautiful, useful and enduring items with your own hands.
The Workshop Covers:
What You’ll Learn, during the workshop you will:
What’s Included
Launch Price – £45
To mark the launch of this new workshop, places are currently available at a special introductory rate of £45 per person.
Future sessions will be priced in line with standard small-group artisan workshops.
Limited Availability
Spaces are strictly limited to 4 participants per session to ensure a high level of individual support.
Early booking is recommended.
Location
The Flaxmill
Spring Gardens
Shrewsbury
SY1 2SZ
Book Your Place
Please select your preferred session (10:00am–1:00pm or 2:00pm–5:00pm) when booking.
Secure your place and experience traditional leathercraft in one of Shrewsbury’s most historic buildings.
Sunday 12th April 2026
Morning Session: 10:00am – 1:00pm
Afternoon Session: 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Join us for a small-group leathercraft workshop set within the historic surroundings of Shrewsbury Flaxmill — recognised as the world’s first iron-framed building and an important landmark of industrial heritage.
Led by an experienced artisan, this hands-on 3-hour session offers the opportunity to learn traditional leatherworking techniques while creating your own hand-stitched leather piece to take home.
With a maximum of just 4 participants per session, this workshop is designed to provide focused guidance, individual attention and a high-quality learning experience. Suitable for over 18's only.
Peter Smedley has been working with leather for over fifteen years. What began as a thoughtful gift — a leatherworking course in the Peak District — quickly became a lasting passion. He found the craft both inspiring and deeply engaging.
Being able to create the leather goods he wanted to use — pieces he struggled to find elsewhere — opened up a world of possibilities. The pursuit of combining attractive form with reliable function, crafted sustainably and built to last, became central to his work. In a culture of disposable products, Peter is committed to making durable, mindful pieces designed to age beautifully — and, perhaps, become heirlooms.
Leathercraft can feel daunting at first. It’s not that information is scarce — quite the opposite. There is an abundance of tools, materials and techniques to understand. Like any craft, leatherwork is not something found in our DNA, but in our practice.
This workshop is designed to guide you through the essentials and show you that you can create beautiful, useful and enduring items with your own hands.
The Workshop Covers:
- An introduction to different types of leather, their uses and how to select the right leather for a project
- Transferring patterns onto leather
- Methods of cutting leather and the safe, accurate use of knives
- Marking and creating stitch lines
- Traditional saddle stitching to join leather pieces
- The use of rivets and when to incorporate them
- An introduction to leather stamping for decorative detail
- Edge finishing and burnishing techniques (time permitting)
- A small purse
- A 19th-century Western-style wallet
- A journal cover
What You’ll Learn, during the workshop you will:
- Gain an understanding of the characteristics of quality leather
- Learn traditional saddle-stitch techniques
- Cut, prepare and assemble your own leather item
- Develop practical skills rooted in traditional leatherworking
What’s Included
- All leather and materials
- Use of professional tools
- Step-by-step guidance from an experienced artisan
- Your finished handcrafted leather piece to take home
Launch Price – £45
To mark the launch of this new workshop, places are currently available at a special introductory rate of £45 per person.
Future sessions will be priced in line with standard small-group artisan workshops.
Limited Availability
Spaces are strictly limited to 4 participants per session to ensure a high level of individual support.
Early booking is recommended.
Location
The Flaxmill
Spring Gardens
Shrewsbury
SY1 2SZ
Book Your Place
Please select your preferred session (10:00am–1:00pm or 2:00pm–5:00pm) when booking.
Secure your place and experience traditional leathercraft in one of Shrewsbury’s most historic buildings.
Workshop Information - Questions & Answers
Do I need any prior experience?
No experience is necessary. This workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with a general interest in craft. All techniques are demonstrated step-by-step.
What will I make?
You will create your own hand-stitched leather piece during the session. The design has been selected to allow you to learn key traditional techniques while producing a finished, practical item to take home.
Are materials and tools included?
Yes. All leather, materials and use of professional tools are included in the workshop price.
How many people will be in each session?
Each session is limited to just 4 participants to ensure individual guidance and a focused learning experience.
What should I bring?
All tools and materials are provided. You may wish to bring reading glasses if needed for detailed stitching work.
Where is the workshop held?
The workshop takes place at The Flaxmill, Spring Gardens, Shrewsbury SY1 2SZ — recognised as the world’s first iron-framed building and an important part of industrial heritage.
Is parking available?
Yes. Free on-site parking is available at The Flaxmill.
What is the cancellation policy?
Please see our Terms and Conditions below
How do I book?
Please select your preferred session (10:00am–1:00pm or 2:00pm–5:00pm) and complete the booking form on the website.
Spaces are limited and early booking is recommended.
No experience is necessary. This workshop is suitable for complete beginners as well as those with a general interest in craft. All techniques are demonstrated step-by-step.
What will I make?
You will create your own hand-stitched leather piece during the session. The design has been selected to allow you to learn key traditional techniques while producing a finished, practical item to take home.
Are materials and tools included?
Yes. All leather, materials and use of professional tools are included in the workshop price.
How many people will be in each session?
Each session is limited to just 4 participants to ensure individual guidance and a focused learning experience.
What should I bring?
All tools and materials are provided. You may wish to bring reading glasses if needed for detailed stitching work.
Where is the workshop held?
The workshop takes place at The Flaxmill, Spring Gardens, Shrewsbury SY1 2SZ — recognised as the world’s first iron-framed building and an important part of industrial heritage.
Is parking available?
Yes. Free on-site parking is available at The Flaxmill.
What is the cancellation policy?
Please see our Terms and Conditions below
How do I book?
Please select your preferred session (10:00am–1:00pm or 2:00pm–5:00pm) and complete the booking form on the website.
Spaces are limited and early booking is recommended.
Terms and Conditions
Booking & Payment
Full payment is required upon receipt of invoice in order to secure your place on the workshop.
Due to the limited number of participants per session, bookings cannot be confirmed until payment has been received.
Cancellations & Refunds
As workshops are limited to just 4 participants, we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations.
This policy ensures that each session remains viable and that all places are filled.
If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your place to another person with prior notice.
Please contact us as soon as possible if you need to arrange this.
In the unlikely event that the workshop is cancelled by the organiser, a full refund will be issued.