Learn the Fundamental Skills to Make Your Own Boxes, Trunks and Cases
When I was first learning leatherworking, one of my teachers complained about a new student wanting to build a briefcase. They were brand new and building their own case was what had motivated them to start leatherworking in the first place. I couldn’t understand what the big deal was; why not teach them how to make a case? A briefcase is bigger but that was the only thing I could think of that would be cause for consternation. It was only after learning more about case-making and the difficult techniques required to do one that I realized how hard they are to do.
Sew together four sides, a bottom and optionally a top, making a case out of leather seems easy, right? There’s a reason why many beginning and even rather advanced leather goods makers never post pictures of a case. It’s because they are extremely difficult to do.
If you are looking to differentiate your work from others or if you’re just looking to expand your technique, our newest course will be a great fit.
Build Your Own Leather Cases and Boxes
Introducing, Leather Box and Case-Making with Nigel Armitage, a course for leather goods makers who want to successfully make their own leather cases. Learn the techniques to master these kinds of projects, how to simplify the approach and be guided in your first (or sometimes first successful) box making project.
Our newest version of this course is two-parts where we’ll practice a foundation of skills, build upon those skills and then expand them even further.
Part One, Day One – Foundation
On day one of this four-day session, we’ll cover the core skills needed to build the structure of a leather box-type project. If you do hand-sewn leatherworking projects, sewing can account for 50% or more of your time. I’ve burned countless hours and watched whole seasons of shows start to finish while hand-sewing. Box making requires a command of hand-stitching that many new students, and even some returning, do not yet possess. Learning to sharpen your knife is a similar skill that can bog down progress in leatherworking. Cutting leather is fundamental to mastering the craft and a sharp knife is essential. During the first day of Part one, we’ll cover:
- the fundamentals of hand-sewing leather to prepare you for more advanced stitches
- how to prepare your threads and how to finish the stitch
- refining your thread tension, spacing, and usage of an awl
- making proper stitch holes
- sewing right and left
- knife and awl sharpening
Part One continued – Expansion
Getting the basics right is important for box-making because all of the subsequent additions require a strong foundation. You’ll come away with a foundation in leather case and box building skills. You’ll produce a core box-making project, a round case. We’ll cover:
- How to modify your saddle stitching to create a better foundation for box-making like sewing on edges, around corners and curves.
- Making improvements in how you cut leather to be good enough for making cases and boxes.
- Working with thicker leather to form sturdy shapes.
- Positioning a round project to be able to sew and assemble it properly.
- A new stitch type – You’ll do butt seams, where the two ends of leather for your round project meet edge to edge.
- Pattern-making for cylinder shapes to simplify figuring out the sizing of your project.
- How to add the lining to a box and the right order of steps to more easily make these kinds of projects.
- Cutting, stitch marking, edge finishing and more modified techniques for cylinders and eventually square boxes.
- How to add lids and recessed bottoms. Lids and bottoms are essential for making more advanced items like trunks and briefcases.
Part One’s Project – A Round Case
Part one’s project incorporates a lid, a recessed bottom and the challenge of sewing a round shape. You’ll be able to make similar projects including wine and whiskey cases, hat boxes, quivers and any project which requires a cylinder shape.
Part Two – The Mitered Box
By taking the time to master the skills in session one, you’ll be ready to tackle the serious challenge of creating a complete box with a lid and mitered corners. Box-making is deceptively challenging and we’ll devote four days to completing the task.
Learn how to create consistent corners and edges which are the true sign of great craftsmanship in box making. Unlike other box-making techniques, you won’t need a wood form. This is a true all-leather box, which is very sturdy and can be made with just leather tools. Building a mitered box includes:
- How to build a truly three-dimensional piece. Projects like belts and wallets are essentially two-dimensional. Box construction requires attention to all three axes.
- Putting together all of the previous skills into a final box project.
- Learning to sew forwards, backwards and every direction needed for all of the box seams.
- Planning and cutting mitered edges. This skill alone is at least an all-day endeavor.
- Another new stitch type, mitered edges. Similar to the butted seams of the tub, mitered edge seams offer a new method to undertake with their own unique challenges.
- Building a complete box with interior finishing and a lid. Lids are a mini-box in and of themselves. You’ll see how to fit them to your piece.
- Positioning your box for easier assembly and preventing spoiling the finish.
To master box-making is to gain a hard-to-find leatherworking technique. Few people take up the challenge and even fewer persevere to master it. If you can make leather boxes, your project repertoire opens up to many choices that only a handful of other leather artisans can offer.
Part Two’s Project – The Mitered Box
The mitered box tests all of your skills and technique. Mastering this project enables you to build a wide variety of projects including briefcases and small trunks in all manner of shapes and sizes.
Dates & Locations
The box and case making course takes place in our studio at 2229 Fifth Street in Berkeley, CA. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the nearby 4th Street shopping area and 6-min Lyft ride from nearby North Berkeley BART Station.
Part One – Box and Case Making Foundation
April 29th – May 2nd, Saturday to Tuesday 9 am – 5 pm
Part Two – The Mitered Box
May 3rd – May 6th, Wednesday to Saturday 9 am – 5 pm
Bonus Day
May 7th, Sunday 9 am – 5 pm
Workshop Materials and Tools Package
Add the materials and tools package to your registration to fully take advantage of this workshop. We’ll be using specialized tools and materials during the workshop that most leatherworkers don’t usually have. The package includes these specialized box-making tools plus a few extra items. Take these items home with you to continue practicing box-making on your own. The package includes:
- A veg-tan shoulder or a Bridle half-butt of leather. You’ll get the same leather that you’ll use from one of the course projects.
- One Spool of Polyester thread- choose your color and weight of thread.
- 12”/300mm Ruler – combination English Metric Ruler
- 6”/150mm Ruler – combination English Metric Ruler
- Rule Stop – for easily repeating measurements
- Engineer’s Square – a must-have for any box-building project
- Marking Awl
- Sewing Tower – take home the same specialized sewing clamp we used during the course
- Round attachment – additional attachment for round projects
- Square and round edge slicker
Normally all of these items cost over $500, but you can have all the items above for $430.
A savings of 16%.
Course Options
We’re offering several options to suit your needs and schedule. Choose one or more sessions depending on what you’d like to learn and your experience.
New Student Course Options
If you are a beginner to box-making or new to our courses in general, you can choose from the three options below.
- Part One Only (4 days) – Take the foundational course and learn to make round cases using the box making technique.
- Parts One and Two (8 days) – Choose eight days to take the foundational course, solidify your practice and gain additional project options in part two.
- All Sessions plus Bonus Day (9 days) – Take both sessions and add the free bonus day.
Returning Student Options
Coming back for another course? Returning Nigel Course students can choose from the following four options:
- Part One Only (4 Days) – Refresh your fundamental skills. Build upon your previous course and solidify your cylinder and round case making techniques.
- Part Two Only (4 Days)* Experienced box makers can focus on the challenge of mitered boxes.
- Parts One and Two (8 Days) – Begin with cylinder box making to brush up and prepare. Then, tackle the mitered box challenge.
- All Sessions plus Bonus Day(9 days) – Take both sessions and add the free bonus day.
*Jumping right into the mitered box project is a challenge even for more advanced students. Returning students must contact us before signing up for part two only. We’ll set up an evaluation with Nigel to ensure you’re the right fit for the course.
Not sure which option is right for you? Feel free to call or email us
1-415-800-2978
store@fineleatherworking.com
1. Full Course
The two-session course is a total of eight days. There is an optional bonus ninth day. It is a robust course for both new and returning students alike and a chance to complete two very distinct projects.
- Four days participation in Part One of the course (Saturday to Tuesday).
- Learn foundational skills for making boxes and cases.
- Instructions to make round or cylinder shaped projects.
- Make a cylinder case complete with a lid and recessed bottom.
- Get the patterns, instructions and techniques to build the cylinder case.
- Four days participation in Part Two of the course (Wednesday to Saturday).
- Build upon the skills from your previous class for a more advanced project.
- Master the techniques of making mitered boxes made entirely from leather.
- Open up a wide range of options to make similar projects like cases, trunks and boxes of all shapes and sizes.
- Optional Bonus Day (Sunday) – spend one more day practicing and refining your technique while completing your project.
All Sessions include:
- The opportunity to try out a wider variety of tools, including different types of skivers, knives and pricking irons.
- All materials included needed to complete your project, including leather, paint, glue, hardware and more.
- Course guides for each of the projects, including detailed instructions and diagrams.
- 1 Month full access to Nigel’s online courses, which covers additional techniques not covered in the workshop.
Get Your Spot in The Course
4 Monthly Installments
Best Value
Pay in full and save $197
If you have any questions about the course, please feel free to call or email us
1-415-800-2978
store@fineleatherworking.com.
We’re happy to help!
2. Session One Course
Join part one of the Leather Box and Case-Making Course and come away with a vastly improved understanding of box making and skills to do it on your own.
- Four days participation in Part One of the course (Saturday to Tuesday).
- Learn foundational skills for making boxes and cases.
- Instructions to make round or cylinder shaped projects.
- Make a cylinder case complete with a lid and recessed bottom.
- Get the patterns, instructions and techniques to build the cylinder case.
Four days participation in Part Two of the course (Wednesday to Saturday).Build upon the skills from your previous class for a more advanced project.Master the techniques of making mitered boxes made entirely from leather.Open up a wide range of options to make similar projects like cases, trunks and boxes of all shapes and sizes.Optional Bonus Day (Sunday) – spend one more day practicing and refining your technique while completing your project.
All Sessions include:
- The opportunity to try out a wider variety of tools, including different types of skivers, knives and pricking irons.
- All materials included needed to complete your project, including leather, paint, glue, hardware and more.
- Course guides for each of the projects, including detailed instructions and diagrams.
- 1 Month full access to Nigel’s online courses, which covers additional techniques not covered in the workshop.
Get Your Spot in The Course
4 Monthly Installments
Best Value
Pay in full and save $117
If you have any questions about the course, please feel free to call or email us
1-415-800-2978
store@fineleatherworking.com.
We’re happy to help!
3. Session Two Course (Returning Students Only)
Join Session Two, a Four-Day Leather Box and Case-Making Course and build your box-making technique foundation. There is an optional bonus fifth day. Adapt your current leathercrafting skill to be able to make these types of projects.
Four days participation in Part One of the course (Saturday to Tuesday).Learn foundational skills for making boxes and cases.Instructions to make round or cylinder shaped projects.Make a cylinder case complete with a lid and recessed bottom.Get the patterns, instructions and techniques to build the cylinder case.- Four days participation in Part Two of the course (Wednesday to Saturday).
- Build upon the skills from your previous class for a more advanced project.
- Master the techniques of making mitered boxes made entirely from leather.
- Open up a wide range of options to make similar projects like cases, trunks and boxes of all shapes and sizes.
- Optional Bonus Day (Sunday) – spend one more day practicing and refining your technique while completing your project.
All Sessions include:
- The opportunity to try out a wider variety of tools, including different types of skivers, knives and pricking irons.
- All materials included needed to complete your project, including leather, paint, glue, hardware and more.
- Course guides for each of the projects, including detailed instructions and diagrams.
- 1 Month full access to Nigel’s online courses, which covers additional techniques not covered in the workshop.
Get Your Spot in The Course
4 Monthly Installments
Best Value
Pay in full and save $137
If you have any questions about the course, please feel free to call or email us
1-415-800-2978
store@fineleatherworking.com.
We’re happy to help!
About Nigel
Nigel started his leatherworking journey back in 1990 under the guidance of a wizened and grumpy old saddler. He was taught how to stitch by having to unpick old harnesses and re-stitch them over and over again.
Sore fingers aside, this gave Nigel an excellent foundation and a clear understanding of the traditional saddle stitch in all of its many applications. Upon gaining independence, Nigel continued his journey in an area that had been pulling at him since starting out: creating bespoke items entirely by hand. He then began undertaking work for some prestigious companies such as Harrods, Rolls Royce, Bentley, and British Rail. In more recent years, Nigel began teaching and in 2001, became an A1 Assessor for the City & Guilds NVQ programme and is able to assist with the assessment of NVQ based course work. In 2011 Nigel was accepted into the Guild of Master Craftsmen and was approached by the Queen Elizabeth Scholar Trust to act as a mentor.
Nigel spends the majority of his time now teaching and mentoring, both online and in person with students visiting the workshop from across the globe. Many of these students have gone on to set up and successfully run their own leather businesses.
Nigel likes coffee, is not overly huggy and is very tall.
Why Box Making Technique?
Box making technique isn’t just for boxes. It’s for any leather project that requires a solid-side construction with depth. This can include cases, trunks, and handbags.
Through the techniques in this course, you also learn better overall leathercrafting skills. For example, since two or more faces of a box are visible at once, your stitching needs to look good from both sides. Similarly, your edges must also be neat running straight and when three edges meet at a corner.
When you learn to make your leather boxes better, you learn to make all of your leatherworking projects better.
We’ve Got Your Back Until the End
Each workshop day ends at 5 pm, but we will help ensure that you can master these techniques by giving you extra time each day. If you are struggling but have the endurance to keep going, I will stay and coach you, 1:1 if necessary, until you feel confident. During one past session, our students did 9 hours on the first day and 10 hours on the second day. It was a marathon, but they had some amazing work to show for it.
Join a Community
When you attend our group courses, you’re also getting the opportunity to work with fellow like-minded students who are just as focused on improving their skills. Finding a good community of leatherworkers can be difficult. During the courses and well after they finish, we foster the growth of a community of like-minded fine leatherworking enthusiasts.
Benefits of a Live Fine Leatherworking Course
Our instruction is more than just watch and learn. We approach teaching as a give and take between the course objectives and what each student needs. For instance, we’ll provide a simpler or a more challenging version of a project so that a student can improve from their current level rather than over-extending or breezing through instruction.
A Blend of Traditional and Modern Techniques
Fine Leatherworking courses provide expert instruction that is founded on traditional techniques and improved with modern updates. We take into account the wider range of tools, improved materials and different starting point of our students. Traditionally, an aspiring leatherworker would start an apprenticeship at a young age and have years to improve their work before embarking on a professional career. Today, few people have the opportunity to do this kind of approach.
Time and experience are still required investments to improve in this craft. We develop our techniques to maximize that time so that you have the potential to learn in weeks and months rather than years and decades.
A Centrally Located Studio With Easy Access
Our studio is located in West Berkeley, just south of the Fourth Street neighborhood. Berkeley is home to the University of California, the Gourmet Ghetto, many gardens, farmer’s markets, and a diverse collection of vibrant neighborhoods.
Our studio is centrally located in the Bay Area. It’s a 5-minute ride (Uber/Lyft) from the North Berkeley Bart and a 5-minute drive from the Marina Hilton. La Quinta is just an 8-minute walk away.
It’s a 10-minute walk to both the 4th Street and the San Pablo and University shopping and restaurant areas. And we’re just steps away from the closest restaurant, Tomate, and a short walk to the famous Viks and a great cafe.
See Photos and Journal From a Past Nigel Course
An avid photographer, Nigel took many pictures of the students, their work and did a daily journal of the last course. See Nigel’s six-day journal of the class. (opens in a new window)
Many Students Have Benefited From Nigel’s Instructions
I had the best 3-day course, with Nigel, ever! Nigel is a very talented teacher and craftsman. And he loves to pass it on to is students. He is calm and patient and has a super inspirational passion for leather. I will for sure revisit his workshop for more knowledge in the future.
Stine H.
Just finished a solid day wallet making course with Nigel today and could not possibly recommend this man more. I was completely new to working with leather and the associated tools and after just one day with the man I now feel like I have a great starting point and base of knowledge with which to begin a lifetime of study. He couldn’t be a nicer and more engaging person which obviously made time with him fun and enjoyable as much as invaluable in terms of the knowledge being taught.
Luke S.
I have just had a 2-day course, it was a great. Nigel was patient, encouraging and shared his knowledge of leatherwork and suppliers. I have come away with a beautiful quality piece of leatherwork. I would highly recommend his courses.
Rosyln W.
Explore the Bay Area and Stay Near the Workshop
There are several hotel and AirBNB options in the East Bay. We can help you find one that is close to the workshop and fitting of your needs.
If you have extra time, there are also many other leatherworking-related places to check out in the area as well as the variety of attractions like Napa Valley and San Francisco.
Reserve Your Spot
Learn the fundamental skills to make your own boxes, trunks, cases and any number of projects that you can create.
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