There is something uniquely personal about a journal made entirely by hand — from the pages within to the leather that protects them.
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore two traditional crafts — bookbinding and leathercraft — to create your own handcrafted leather journal from start to finish. Rather than simply decorating a ready-made notebook, you’ll learn how to construct and bind the journal itself before creating a leather cover designed to house and protect it.
Guided through each stage of the process, you’ll gain an introduction to the specialist tools, materials and techniques used in both crafts, while creating a finished piece that is functional, reusable and completely individual to you.
No previous experience in bookbinding or leathercraft is required.
Throughout the workshop, you’ll work through the complete process of constructing your journal:
Introduction to Bookbinding – Discover the fundamental principles of traditional book construction and become familiar with essential bookbinding tools and materials.
Preparing the Journal Pages – Learn how to accurately measure, fold and prepare your paper ready for binding.
Hand-Binding Your Journal – Learn a traditional hand-stitching technique to securely bind the pages and create the inner journal.
Introduction to Leathercraft – Learn about genuine leather, its characteristics and the specialist tools used to cut, shape and finish it.
Measuring & Cutting Leather – Develop accuracy in marking, measuring and cutting leather to create your journal cover.
Working & Finishing the Leather – Learn techniques for preparing and finishing the leather to achieve a clean, refined result.
Constructing the Journal Cover – Transform your prepared leather into a durable cover designed to hold and protect your handmade journal.
Personalisation – Complete your journal by stamping your initials into the leather, giving the finished piece a personal signature.
This workshop is designed to go beyond simply completing a project. You’ll gain a practical introduction to the foundations of both traditional bookbinding and leathercraft, developing techniques that can be applied to future journals, books and leather projects.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with your own hand-bound leather journal, constructed from the individual pages and stitching through to the cutting, finishing and personalisation of its leather cover.
The result is a piece designed to be used and kept — a journal that carries the character of something genuinely made by hand.
This workshop is suitable for complete beginners and those interested in exploring traditional bookbinding and leathercraft techniques. No previous experience is required.
With hands-on tuition and individual guidance throughout the workshop, students will be introduced to each process in a structured and accessible way.
All materials required to create your journal are included, including genuine vegetable tanned Italian leather, paper, bookbinding waxed thread and finishing materials.
Specialist bookbinding and leathercraft tools will also be provided for use throughout the workshop, allowing you to experience the proper tools and techniques associated with each craft.
Duration: 2 hours
Age: Adults (16+)
Skill Level: All Levels – Complete Beginners Welcome
Teaching: Hands-on tuition with individual guidance throughout the workshop
Materials & Tools: All materials and specialist tools are provided
Language: The workshop is taught in English or Maltese depending on student preference
There is something uniquely personal about a journal made entirely by hand — from the pages within to the leather that protects them.
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore two traditional crafts — bookbinding and leathercraft — to create your own handcrafted leather journal from start to finish. Rather than simply decorating a ready-made notebook, you’ll learn how to construct and bind the journal itself before creating a leather cover designed to house and protect it.
Guided through each stage of the process, you’ll gain an introduction to the specialist tools, materials and techniques used in both crafts, while creating a finished piece that is functional, reusable and completely individual to you.
No previous experience in bookbinding or leathercraft is required.
Throughout the workshop, you’ll work through the complete process of constructing your journal:
Introduction to Bookbinding – Discover the fundamental principles of traditional book construction and become familiar with essential bookbinding tools and materials.
Preparing the Journal Pages – Learn how to accurately measure, fold and prepare your paper ready for binding.
Hand-Binding Your Journal – Learn a traditional hand-stitching technique to securely bind the pages and create the inner journal.
Introduction to Leathercraft – Learn about genuine leather, its characteristics and the specialist tools used to cut, shape and finish it.
Measuring & Cutting Leather – Develop accuracy in marking, measuring and cutting leather to create your journal cover.
Working & Finishing the Leather – Learn techniques for preparing and finishing the leather to achieve a clean, refined result.
Constructing the Journal Cover – Transform your prepared leather into a durable cover designed to hold and protect your handmade journal.
Personalisation – Complete your journal by stamping your initials into the leather, giving the finished piece a personal signature.
This workshop is designed to go beyond simply completing a project. You’ll gain a practical introduction to the foundations of both traditional bookbinding and leathercraft, developing techniques that can be applied to future journals, books and leather projects.
By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with your own hand-bound leather journal, constructed from the individual pages and stitching through to the cutting, finishing and personalisation of its leather cover.
The result is a piece designed to be used and kept — a journal that carries the character of something genuinely made by hand.
This workshop is suitable for complete beginners and those interested in exploring traditional bookbinding and leathercraft techniques. No previous experience is required.
With hands-on tuition and individual guidance throughout the workshop, students will be introduced to each process in a structured and accessible way.
All materials required to create your journal are included, including genuine vegetable tanned Italian leather, paper, bookbinding waxed thread and finishing materials.
Specialist bookbinding and leathercraft tools will also be provided for use throughout the workshop, allowing you to experience the proper tools and techniques associated with each craft.
Duration: 2 hours
Age: Adults (16+)
Skill Level: All Levels – Complete Beginners Welcome
Teaching: Hands-on tuition with individual guidance throughout the workshop
Materials & Tools: All materials and specialist tools are provided
Language: The workshop is taught in English or Maltese depending on student preference
