This course is of five days duration, Monday - Friday, 9.00 am to 4.30 pm daily, with an hour for lunch. It is designed for beginners and will be of a very practical nature with no formal lectures. By the end of the first morning you will be stitching and by the end of the week you will have been able to make a useful item of tack or an item of leatherwork to take away with you.

The main object of the course is that the student gains a working knowledge of the skills of the bridle-maker and achieves a correct stitching method with the accent on quality not quantity. Students are often amazed at what they have accomplished in just one week!

Subjects covered during the week will include:

The structure and divisions of hide and the function of different types of leather - bridle butts, harness backs, shoulders, panel-hides.
How to examine leather for faults and how to differentiate between good and bad leather.
Preparation of leather for stitching - cutting, edging, staining, polishing, creasing, marking-out.
Using and adapting to stitching clams.
Double hand and backstitching methods.
Knowledge of hand-tools and equipment, needles and threads.
Care, adjustment and sharpening of traditional hand cutting tools.
Safety techniques.

Other aspects of saddlery will be discussed such as repair methods and saddle manufacture.

Advice on the purchase of tools, materials and equipment will be given.

Tools, leather and materials will be supplied by the School or students may bring their own. Items for repair may also be brought for advice.

These courses are also open to those interested in traditional leather-craft who may wish to work on projects such as dog and shooting equipment, belts, bags, purses or box-making.

"I didn't think learning could be so much fun. Highly recommended." D.J. Cornwall

A certificate of attendance is awarded on completion of each course.