Curious about industrial machines? Want to see what it would be like to use an industrial machine to sew leather? Great! Join Katie from Stitch & Rivet, and let’s make a machine-stitched leather clutch bag.
In this single-day workshop, you will either adjust an existing pattern or select from several pre-made patterns, then cut and stitch your own unlined zipper clutch. Note: We will be working on shared machines.
This workshop is appropriate for people who either have basic experience with a sewing machine (can change thread, wind a bobbin, stitch a straight line) and/or are moderately to very detail-oriented, can follow instructions well, and maintain focus. In short, if you took home economics in high school or can consistently color inside the lines and follow directions, you will be fine. This workshop is not appropriate for students under 18 because of the machines we will be using.
Workshop Details:
Bicycle Trash / Amend and Adapt Studio
at 716 Monroe St NE, Washington, DC 20017
Span of Day: Sunday, June 6, 2026, Noon- 5 pm
This workshop requires a leather project panel at least 11” x 18”
(If you want a smaller or larger clutch, size down or up.) If you need help sourcing your leather, reach out to Katie, and she can help you get the right panel for your project.
**** To make a clutch bag with the seams on the outside, pick a 3-4.5oz weight leather in a medium to firm temper. This style of bag will require more stitching precision.
Firm Leather Panel Sources (links): You do not have to use these sources; they are just suggestions.
**** To make a clutch bag with the seams on the inside, pick a 2-3.5oz weight leather in a soft temper. Look for terms like “milled”, “tumbled”, or “upholstery hide”. This style of bag is also appropriate for lambskin or a lighter-weight suede. This bag style is more forgiving of stitching mistakes.
Soft Leather Panel Sources (links) You do not have to use these sources; they are just suggestions.
Skills learned in this workshop:
machine stitching with an industrial sewing machine
cutting leather with a blade, scissors, or a cutting die and a clicker press
optional pattern layout and modification
personalizing leather goods with letter stamps
using a snap and rivet setting machine
how to wind a bobbin and change thread on an industrial machine
Tools and supplies provided by S&R for use during the workshop:
cutting mats
mallets and pounding boards
metal edge rulers for cutting
water-based adhesive
cardstock for making your pattern
thread in a variety of colors. If you want something specific, please reach out to see if I have it in stock.
swivel clips and D-rings in antiqued brass for an optional wrist strap.
rivets in antique brass
YKK donut pull zippers in antique brass in 7”, 8”, and 9” sizes. If you want a different size, Wawak sells a variety of colors and sizes.
Tools and supplies you may wish to bring for your use during the workshop:
thread snips
small binder clips or sewing clips
a work apron
your favorite rotary cutter
Disclaimers and information: This workshop includes hammering with mallets and may not be appropriate for people with noise sensitivities. Workshop tickets are non-refundable but transferable, so you can gift or sell your ticket to someone else if you cannot attend the class. Students who appear intoxicated or who refuse to follow basic safety instructions will not be allowed to attend classes and will not receive a refund. Light snacks and water/sodas will be provided, and there are several nearby restaurants for a lunch break if desired.
Curious about industrial machines? Want to see what it would be like to use an industrial machine to sew leather? Great! Join Katie from Stitch & Rivet, and let’s make a machine-stitched leather clutch bag.
In this single-day workshop, you will either adjust an existing pattern or select from several pre-made patterns, then cut and stitch your own unlined zipper clutch. Note: We will be working on shared machines.
This workshop is appropriate for people who either have basic experience with a sewing machine (can change thread, wind a bobbin, stitch a straight line) and/or are moderately to very detail-oriented, can follow instructions well, and maintain focus. In short, if you took home economics in high school or can consistently color inside the lines and follow directions, you will be fine. This workshop is not appropriate for students under 18 because of the machines we will be using.
Workshop Details:
Bicycle Trash / Amend and Adapt Studio
at 716 Monroe St NE, Washington, DC 20017
Span of Day: Sunday, June 6, 2026, Noon- 5 pm
This workshop requires a leather project panel at least 11” x 18”
(If you want a smaller or larger clutch, size down or up.) If you need help sourcing your leather, reach out to Katie, and she can help you get the right panel for your project.
**** To make a clutch bag with the seams on the outside, pick a 3-4.5oz weight leather in a medium to firm temper. This style of bag will require more stitching precision.
Firm Leather Panel Sources (links): You do not have to use these sources; they are just suggestions.
**** To make a clutch bag with the seams on the inside, pick a 2-3.5oz weight leather in a soft temper. Look for terms like “milled”, “tumbled”, or “upholstery hide”. This style of bag is also appropriate for lambskin or a lighter-weight suede. This bag style is more forgiving of stitching mistakes.
Soft Leather Panel Sources (links) You do not have to use these sources; they are just suggestions.
Skills learned in this workshop:
machine stitching with an industrial sewing machine
cutting leather with a blade, scissors, or a cutting die and a clicker press
optional pattern layout and modification
personalizing leather goods with letter stamps
using a snap and rivet setting machine
how to wind a bobbin and change thread on an industrial machine
Tools and supplies provided by S&R for use during the workshop:
cutting mats
mallets and pounding boards
metal edge rulers for cutting
water-based adhesive
cardstock for making your pattern
thread in a variety of colors. If you want something specific, please reach out to see if I have it in stock.
swivel clips and D-rings in antiqued brass for an optional wrist strap.
rivets in antique brass
YKK donut pull zippers in antique brass in 7”, 8”, and 9” sizes. If you want a different size, Wawak sells a variety of colors and sizes.
Tools and supplies you may wish to bring for your use during the workshop:
thread snips
small binder clips or sewing clips
a work apron
your favorite rotary cutter
Disclaimers and information: This workshop includes hammering with mallets and may not be appropriate for people with noise sensitivities. Workshop tickets are non-refundable but transferable, so you can gift or sell your ticket to someone else if you cannot attend the class. Students who appear intoxicated or who refuse to follow basic safety instructions will not be allowed to attend classes and will not receive a refund. Light snacks and water/sodas will be provided, and there are several nearby restaurants for a lunch break if desired.
