Two-Day Improvers Bag Making Course, London, UK

This course concentrates on the more complicated tote and clutch bag construction methods, using either leather or fabric.

We encourage students to take the Two-Day Pattern Cutting for Handbag Design Course, which is held just before the Improvers course. You learn pattern cutting skills and are then able to use your own patterns in this course. If not taking the Pattern Cutting course, you will be provided with a pattern. In both cases you will be shown techniques, which allow you to achieve a professional standard of finish by using a specialist industrial walking foot, cylinder arm sewing machine.

The course price includes all specialist bag making materials: pattern paper, fabric backer, magnetic closures and cutting blades. Please bring your own leather or fabric for the body of your bag.

Difference between our Beginners, Improvers and Intensive Bag Making courses:

• Beginners: Patterns are prepared by the tutor. Cover basic construction methods. Personalised parts: bag size and handle construction. 
• Improvers: Emphasis on using industrial sewing machine. Patterns are prepared by the tutor, but can be personalised if taken with the Pattern Cutting for Handbag Design Course. Cover more complicated clutch and tote construction methods. Personalised parts: bag construction, bag size, handle construction, finishing techniques.
• Intensive: Cover both pattern cutting techniques and more complicated construction methods. Students can create their own patterns and select their own leather during a visit to a wholesale leather merchant.

Things you need to bring with you:

• Please bring your own leather or fabric for the body of your bag to ensure you go home with the perfect bag to your expectation. The size of the material depends on the size of the pattern/bag you plan to make. The leather shouldn't be too thick or stiff. Please click the Useful Links to view a supplier list. You might be also interested in our Afternoon Suppliers Visit.
• Sharp fabric scissors
• Notebook and pen
• Zippers, if you wish to close the bag with zips. Please contact us first if you are unsure of the length of your zipper.
• Any trimmings or metal fittings you wish to use on your bag, e.g. metal lock, fasteners, rivets, eyelets, D-rings.
• A very limited selection of fabric and pig skin is available, which can be used for the lining of the bag, but students are advised to bring along their own lining material or leather. Please check the following points about what materials to bring.

About bag making materials:

A wide variety of material could be suited to bag making although it’s worth bearing in mind that the selection material will greatly affect the end result and degree of success of your bag.

Is it strong enough to withstand wear and tear on the outside of the bag? An everyday bag will need a much more robust fabric or leather than the material required for a special occasion party bag.

• For a more sturdy bag, consider canvas, heavier weight cottons and poly-cottons, drills, denims, calicos or synthetic fibres, perhaps upholstery fabrics which can be a lot tougher. 
• For occasional wear piece, consider decorated or embroidered fabric
• For bags that you plan to make up on a domestic machine, consider synthetic leathers and suedes and some clothing leathers, preferably pig or cow.
• For bags made on an industrial sewing machine, consider heavier leathers.

Will it be strong enough to support the weight of what goes into the bag?

• Thin, lightweight, stretch and knitted fabrics generally won’t work for the bags we make in this class, and some clothing leathers such as sheep nappa are often not suitable because they are too stretchy. 
• There is a degree of balance required between the choice of fabric which is heavy enough to make a strong bag and the weight of fabric your sewing machine can handle. We can generally find a work with most materials in the class but if you are unsure you are welcome to send in swatches ahead of the class for feedback.

How much material and lining will you need?

This will depend on the size and design of the bag you make but as an approximate guide you can work with between ½ to 1 metre of outside material (150cm wide) or approximately 6-12 sqft of leather and ½ to ¾ metre of lining material.

Students are advised to have strong sewing experience, at least on a domestic machine.

Class Maximum: 6 students

http://www.prescottandmackay.co.uk/courses/bag-making/two-day-bag-making-using-industrial-sewing-machines