Secrets from the Workshop

Over 200 Leathercraft Project, Technique and Skill based videos inside, the perfect choice for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Leatherworkers.

Join Today! the most comprehensive instruction channel available.

Unravel the Mysteries of Craftsmanship and Artistry. Leathercraft Videos and Tutorials, by Nigel Armitage for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Leatherworkers Alike. Increase your Skillset Today.

Are you captivated by the art of leatherworking? Do you dream of creating exquisite leather goods that stand the test of time? Secrets from the Workshop is your gateway to unlocking the mysteries of this timeless craft.
The online section of Armitage Leather Ltd is a renowned online platform for the discerning leatherworker, filmed and presented by Nigel Armitage, it contains a broad host of videos to help you improve your leatherwork in a step by step style. Nigel has over 30 years experience in the industry, you know you will be getting advice and instruction you can trust.

 

Custom Built Dedicated Studio

The dedicated studio space lends an atmospheric backdrop to the videos whilst high-tech equipment ensure the best quality footage and sound.
Nigel uses three Canon XF400 broadcast quality cameras, with all footage filmed in 4K at multiple angles to give a clear view of each technique, lit clearly with four NanLites.
Along with Rode shotgun and lapel mics, Nigel uses a Zoom dedicated sound recorder to ensure the sound is as good as the video.
Finally, the addition of an ATEM mixing desk, assists with editing and continuity.
This investment in equipment, space, software and storage ensures you an extremely high quality viewing experience.

Online Videos

A new video is added to the channel every two weeks and Nigel, taking advantage of the current studio set up has already made a start on updating some of the older videos.

See what other Subscribers and Students have made

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Membership Options

Looking to join? There are a number of membership options to best suit your needs.

Beginner

A comprehensive collection of core skill techniques and projects well suited to the beginner leatherworker.
It may be labeled beginners, but the core skills inside are the techniques  every leatherworker of every level use every day.
This is where you learn and develop your skillset.

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Beginner Only

£9.99 per month

Intermediate

Whilst there are plenty of projects in this section, it is strongly orientated to the Skills and Techniques required to be a good Leatherworker.
This section gives you access to all of the Beginner videos as well as the Intermediate skill, technique and project based videos.
This is where you practice your skills.

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Intermediate + Beginner

£19.99 per month

Advanced

Having honed your skills in the Intermedeate section, this is where you will encounter more complex guilds and projects.
Whilst there are Advanced Techniques inside, here you will find the orientation is now more Project Based.
This is where you polish and hone your skills.

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All Sections

£29.99 per month

Once you have signed up, access the videos from the Video Menu Bar Above.

Not Sure if You're Ready for a Subscription?
Try BITESIZE!

Bitesize is a collection of standalone projects that can be purchased and accessed without the need of a subscription.
Access is between 1 and 2 months, depending on the level of detail or complexity of the build. 

All the videos in Bitesize are also available within the channel.

Bitesize Projects
Terms and Conditions

Project Videos

In this section, you gain access to all of the project videos.
Each videos covers the full process of the project, beginning to end.
The design, measurements, instruction of how to take your own, how to cut, construct, stitch and finish.
Fantastic to follow along to, but they are designed to teach you the skills to apply your own dimensions and design in order to make your own items from scratch.

The Categories in this section include:

  1. Notebook Cover
    1. Introduction
    2. Part 1 – Measuring your Notebook
    3. Part 2 – Making the Template
    4. Part 3 – Cutting the Leather
    5. Part 4 – Creasing and Bevelling
    6. Part 5 – Stitch Marking
    7. Part 6 – Edge Dressing
    8. Part 7 – Skiving the Edges
    9. Part 8 – Stitching and Finishing
  2. Simple Belt
    1. Introduction
    2. Part 1 – Making the Template
    3. Part 2 – Cutting the Leather
    4. Part 3 – Creasing and Bevelling
    5. Part 4 – Making the Keep
    6. Part 5 – Stitching the Belt
  3. Classic Knife Sheath
    1. Introduction
    2. Part 1 – Marking the Template
    3. Part 2 – Cutting the Leather
    4. Part 3 – Stitch Marking and Gluing
    5. Part 4 – Stitching the Sheath
    6. Part 5 – Edge Dressing
  4. Zipped Pouches
    1. Simple Seam Zipped Pouch
    2. Turned Seam Zipped Pouch
    3. Round Zipped Pouch
  5. Watch Straps
    1. Straight – Flat Watch Strap
    2. Tapered – Flat Watch Straps
    3. Tapered – Raised Watch Strap
  6. Dog Leather
    1. 1-inch Dog Collar Template
    2. Simple Dog Collar
    3. Lined Dog Collar
    4. Raised Dog Collar
    5. Simple Dog Lead
  7. The Troll Wallet
    1. Part 1 – The Template
    2. Part 2 – The Construction
  8. The Day Bag
    1. Introduction
    2. Part 1 – The Template
    3. Part 2 – Cutting the Leather
    4. Part 3 – Preparing the Leather
    5. Part 4 – Stitching
    6. Part 5 – The Strap
  9. The Lined Horseshoe Bag
    1. Introduction
    2. Part 1 – The Template
    3. Part 2 – Cutting the Leather
    4. Part 3 – Lining
    5. Part 4 – Stitching
    6. Part 5 – The Strap
  10. Short Projects
    1. The Belt Measuring Thing
    2. Trowel Sheath
    3. Two Pocket Card Holder
    4. Pancake Sheath
    5. Darted Bag
    6. Box Stitched Pouch
    7. Lined Glasses Case
    8. Axe Head Sheath
  11. The Tool Roll
    1. Introduction
    2. Part 1 – Loop Strap Template
    3. Part 2 – Body Template
    4. Part 3 – Pocket Template
    5. Part 4 – Closure Template
    6. Part 5 – Cutting the Leather
    7. Part 6 – Dressing the Leather
    8. Part 7 – Adding the Canvas
    9. Part 8 – Stitching
    10. Part 9 – The Tabs
    11. Part 10 – The Handle
  12. The Tote Bag
    1. Introduction 
    2. The Template
    3. Preparing the Leather
    4. Stitching
  13. The Dopp Bag
    1. Introduction
    2. The Template
    3. The Leather
    4. Stitching
    5. Adding a Lining
    6. Stitching the Lining to the bag
  14. The Phone Pouch
    1. Making the Template
    2. The Leather Part
  15. The Drawstring Pouch
    1. Drawstring Pouch

Technique and Skill Videos

In this section you gain access to all of the technique and skill-based videos.
This, along with the Project section is updated with new videos on a regular basis.

Whilst you can only see the Category and Video Title in this list, each video contains a wealth of information too large to list.
If you are just starting out or an established leather worker, this is an excellent option to help you increase your skillset.

The Categories in this section include:

  1. Tool Maintenance
    1. Sharpening a Straight Knife
    2. Sizing a Corner Cutter
    3. Finding your Bench Height
    4. Attaching a Clam to the Bench
    5. Prioritising your Crease
    6. Issues with Dividers
    7. Making a Tool Rack
    8. Making a Soft Awl
    9. Sharpening a Beveller
    10. Making a Trammel Bar
    11. The Right place for a Stitch Groover
  2. Tool Use
    1. Using Dividers
    2. Different Types of Irons
    3. Using a Pulling Block
    4. Setting Saddlers Rivets
    5. Strap End Punch
    6. Crew – Oblong – Bag Punch
    7. The Batman Ripper
    8. Hammers and Mauls
    9. Beginners Tool Set
    10. Skiving with a Skiving Knife
    11. Skiving with a French Skive
  3. Cutting
    1. Cutting Leather
    2. Cutting a Right Angle
    3. Cutting a Corner
    4. Measuring and Cutting a Scallop
    5. Removing that nasty little kick when Cutting
    6. Cutting and English Point with a Disc
  4. Edge Dressing and Creasing
    1. Edge Bevelling
    2. Slicking
    3. Burnishing
    4. Edge Kote
    5. How to Edge Chrome
    6. Cold Creasing
    7. Wood Creasing
    8. Hot Creasing
  5. Hole Placement and Making 
    1. Different Types of Irons
    2. Using a Pulling Block
    3. Stitch Marking Between Fixed Points
    4. Placing Irons Correctly
    5. Adding round holes to Corners
    6. Leading and Dragging Irons
  6. Stitching- The Basics
    1. Threading a Needle
    2. Modern Saddle Stitch – Right-Handed
    3. Backstitching – Start – Right-Handed
    4. Backstitching – End – Right-Handed
    5. Modern Saddle Stitch – Left-Handed
    6. Backstitching – Start – Left-Handed
    7. Backstitching – End – Left-Handed
    8. Calculation Thread Length
  7. Saddle Stitching 
    1. Traditional Saddle Stitch – Right-Handed
    2. Traditional Saddle Stitch – Left-Handed
    3. Fancy Stitching
    4. Stitching Between Fixed Points
    5. Dealing with the Back of the Saddle Stitch
    6. Dealing with Short or Snapped Thread
    7. Piercing the Thread and how to Fix it.
    8. Dealing with Uneven Holes
    9. Thread Tension when Stitching
    10. Messy Stitch Holes
    11. Adding a Round Hole to Corners
  8. Advanced Stitching g Techniques
    1. Saddlers Twist
    2. Turned Seam
    3. Turned Seam with a Rolled Edge
    4. Piped Seam
    5. Beginning and Ending a Piped Seam
    6. Butted Seam
    7. Stitching in a Tub Base
    8. Baseball Stitch
    9. Cricket Ball Stitch
    10. Stitching Multiple Layers – Glued
    11. Pre-Pricking a Bound Edge
    12. Stitching around a Circumference Perfectly.
    13. Reinforcing a Seam
  9. Template Making
    1. Centring a Tab
    2. Simple Pattern Making
    3. Tapered Cup Template
    4. Tight Corner Gusset Template – Folded
    5. Gusset Template – Round
    6. Measuring and Cutting a Scallop
    7. Dog Collar Template – 1”
    8. Drawing and Oval
    9. Extending a Template
    10. Cutting an English Point with a Disc
    11. Making Holes and Slots Centrally. 
  10. Edge Binding
    1. Rolled Edge
    2. Turned Edge
    3. Bound Edge on a Curve
    4. Bound Edge – Turned
    5. Pre-Pricking a Bound Edge
  11. Belt Making
    1. Making a Leather Keep
    2. Stitching in a Loose Keep
    3. Saddlers Twist
    4. Adding a Bolster
    5. Skiving the Back of a Belt
    6. Cutting and English Point with a Disc
    7. Fancy Stitching
    8. Strap End Punch
    9. Crew Punch
    10. Making Holes and Slots Centrally
  12. Bag Gussets
    1. Tight Corner Gusset Pattern – Folded
    2. Rounded Template for Gusset Projects
    3. C Shape Gusset
    4. S Shape Gusset
    5. S Shape Gusset – Swelled Base
    6. Full Horseshoe Gusset
    7. Half Horseshoe Gusset
    8. Three Part Horseshoe Gusset
    9. Recessed Teardrop Gusset
    10. Multi C Shape Gusset with a Pocket
    11. Bowed Out C Shape Gusset
    12. Tight Corner Gusset – Stitched
    13. Gusset-less Bag
    14. Pipped Seam Gusset
    15. Reducing the Bulk of an Internal Seam
  13. Attaching Bag Straps
    1. Stitched
    2. D Loop
    3. Buckle
    4. Billet Hook
    5. Tapered and Raised D Loop
    6. Bound Handle
  14. Additional Design Techniques
    1. Adding a Bolster to a Panel
    2. Introduction to Wet Moulding
    3. Adding a Simple Inlay
    4. Dying Leather
    5. Dealing with Small Marks on Leather
    6. Setting a Sam Browne Stud
  15. Bag Making
    1. Two Part Base – The Template
    2. Two Part Base – The Leather
  16. Bag Handles
    1. Stacked Handle
    2. Wrapped Handle
    3. Slim Bound Handle
    4. Bolstered Handle
    5. Round Handle
    6. Trunk Handle

Foundation Videos

This is a Foundation level access and an excellent place to start if you are taking your first steps into the craft, ideal if you don’t want to be too overwhelmed.
This channels contains over 27 videos which cover the core techniques needed to begin your journey.

The Categories in this section include:

    1. Tools and How to Use Them
      1. Beginners Tool Set
      2. Using Dividers
      3. Edge Bevelling
      4. Different Types of Irons
      5. Pulling Block
      6. The Right Place for the Stitch Groover

    1. Cutting
      1. Cutting Leather
      2. Cutting a Right Angle
      3. Cutting a Corner

    1. Dressing and Finishing
      1. Slicking
      2. Burnishing
      3. Creasing – Cold
      4. Creasing – Hot
      5. Creasing – Wood
      6. Applying Edge Kote
      7. Dying Leather

    2. Stitching
      1. Threading a Needle
      2. Placing Irons Correctly
      3. Correct Thread Length
      4. Saddle Stitch Right Handed
      5. Back Stitching – Start – Right Handed
      6. Back Stitching – End – Right Handed
      7. Saddle Stitch Left Handed
      8. Back Stitching – Start – Left Handed
      9. Back Stitching – End – Left Handed
      10. Short or Snapped Thread
      11. Piercing the Thread