Class Schedule

We currently offer weekend classes for Wood Carving, Stained Glass and Jewellery Making, weekday classes in Restoration and Upholstry and evening classes in Wood Carving (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and Wood Working (Mondays and Wednesdays).

All of those classes cost £275, with a £100 deposit and the remaining of the tuition due on the first day of class. Payments can be made in cash, cheques or debit cards. Tools are supplied for all courses, materials will be charged separately for Upholstery, Wood Working, Jewellery Making and Furniture Restoration. We also host clubs in Wood Carving and Chair Seat Caning/Rushing.

We are planning on classes in French Upholstery, Traditional Finishes, Colouring Techniques, Using Machines in Wood Carving, and Seat Caning and Rushing. Please write and we will keep you informed of the future classes. Also, watch this space!!!!

Special Autumn Classes

Glove making

October 24-26 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) from 9:30 to 16:30

Have you ever wanted a pair of soft leather gloves that fitted your hands in your favourite colour? There is nothing quite like experiencing the feel of a pair of bespoke gloves on your hands, knowing that you made them? Do you want to learn the techniques to make them for someone else and see their reaction as they put the gloves on? Do you want to meet fellow enthusiasts?
This is a four day course to show you the techniques of drafting a glove pattern to fit your hands and constructing an unlined pair of gloves. We will look at the following areas:

Gloving leathers – types, styles and suppliers
Glove anatomy and pattern pieces.
Linings – will be discussed, though the gloves on this course are unlined.
How to measure your hands.
Drafting and adapting your pattern.
Transferring the design to leather and cutting out your pattern pieces.
Hand sewing techniques. The gloves will be hand stitched and you will be able to sample the stitches beforehand to see which one you prefer.
Construction techniques – how to put everything together without the fingers stretching or twisting.
Adding points.
Adding decoration – how and when to add decoration (we won’t have time on the course).

You will also receive a set of course notes.
We will cover all areas of construction so you know how to assemble and finish the gloves at home. Depending on your stitching speed you may find you don’t complete everything in class.

The course is aimed at beginners and those with more experience are welcome. We will be drafting a pattern to fit your hands. You will leave with the knowledge of how to sew and finish your gloves, equipped to make more in the future. Please note we may not have enough time to finish both gloves in the four days – you will have stitched nearly everything for one hand that you will repeat for the second hand.
Elizabeth will supply the leather and equipment for the day. These are all included in the price of the course. This includes the leather for a mock-up glove and the posh leather for your gloves, needles, and threads. We will be using lamb nappa for your gloves.
Do you need to bring anything?

Just bring yourself.
Wear old clothes and proper shoes that cover your toes as we will be working with tools.
If you feel the cold it may be worth bringing an extra layer or two.

Note: the course does not include the surface decoration included in the photos

Price: £360 (Materials included) – Deposit: £100

Class Dates (Friday, Saturday, Sunday):
October: 24, 25, 26

Class Times: All classes start at 9:30 and end at 16:30

Book Now - From £360.00

Leather working – Introduction to bag making (September)

September 27-28 (2 days) from 9:30 to 16:30

Join to a three-days course and learn how to saddle stitch (hand stitch) a small leather bag and meet fellow enthusiasts.
Saddle stitch is a traditional way of hand-sewing leather. Executed properly it is beautiful to see. During this course, you will saddle stitch and make a simple small, and unlined cross-body bag, similar to the one in the photo. The bag will be small to enable us to complete most of it within two days. The course is aimed at beginners and those with more experience are also welcome.
During the course, you will learn some simple leatherwork techniques that can easily be applied to other projects. Don’t panic if saddle stitch does not agree with you – other stitches are available.
We introduce you to leather and to the saddle stitch technique. You will have the opportunity to practice saddle stitch before starting your project.

The types of leather available and the tanning process
What to look for when purchasing leather
The anatomy of a bag and basic design principles.
Handmade versus the high street.
How to create simple patterns for bags, considering the thickness of the leather.
How to prepare your leather for hand sewing
How to transfer your design.
How to cut your leather and check your pattern.
How to insert your hardware (poppers, eyelets, and buckles)
How to finish your design after your stitching is completed.
You will receive a set of course notes to accompany the course.

There will be a choice of designs available. We will have time to make some small adjustments to the pattern, mostly in terms of the hardware choices, as the focus of the two days is stitching and making the bag. There won’t be time to design and make your own bag on this course.
The materials are included in the course fee. By the end of the weekend, you will leave with your finished bag, knowing how you can apply your new knowledge to your designs in the future.

Do you need to bring anything?

Just bring yourself.
Wear old clothes and proper shoes that cover your toes as we will be working with tools.
If you feel the cold it may be worth bringing an extra layer or two.

Price: £360 (Materials included) – Deposit: £100

Class Dates (Saturday, Sunday):
September: 27, 28

Class Times: All classes start at 9:30 and end at 16:30

Book Now - From £100.00

Leatherworking: Glove making – Autumn 2025

October 24-26 (Friday to Sunday)

This is a four day course to show you the techniques of drafting a glove pattern to fit your hands and constructing an unlined pair of gloves. We will look at the following areas:

Gloving leathers – types, styles and suppliers.
Glove anatomy and pattern pieces.
Linings – will be discussed, though the gloves on this course are unlined.
How to measure your hands.
Drafting and adapting your pattern.
Transferring the design to leather and cutting out your pattern pieces.
Hand sewing techniques. The gloves will be hand stitched and you will be able to sample the stitches beforehand to see which one you prefer.
Construction techniques – how to put everything together without the fingers stretching or twisting.
Adding points.
Adding decoration – how and when to add decoration (we won’t have time on the course).
You will also receive a set of course notes.
We will cover all areas of construction so you know how to assemble and finish the gloves at home. Depending on your stitching speed you may find you don’t complete everything in class.

Elizabeth will supply the leather and equipment for the day. These are all included in the price of the course. This includes the leather for a mock-up glove and the posh leather for your gloves, needles, and threads. We will be using lamb nappa for your gloves.

Do you need to bring anything?

Just bring yourself.
Wear old clothes and proper shoes that cover your toes as we will be working with tools.
If you feel the cold it may be worth bringing an extra layer or two.

Do you need to bring anything?

Just bring yourself.
Wear old clothes and proper shoes that cover your toes as we will be working with tools.
If you feel the cold it may be worth bringing an extra layer or two.

Price: Glove Making £360 (Materials included)

Class Dates (Saturday, Sunday):
October: 24, 25, 26

Class Times: All classes start at 9:30 and end at 16:30

Book Now - From £100.00

Wood Carving with Missenden School of Creative Arts

18 October to 16 November - from 9:30 to 5:00

Summary

The course aims to introduce complete beginners to the basic skills of carving, chisel sharpening and wood behaviour. In further sessions you may follow a structured course of set projects or develop your own ideas.At every stage you will add to your skills and knowledge of all aspects of carving and develop design skills. Experienced carvers will be helped to develop their own projects and skills.PLEASE NOTE: This course is being held at Wooburn Craft School – see below..

Description

Complete beginners will learn about the various carving tools including different types of chisels and mallets, different ways of holding your work, health and safety. Students will learn how to select the right tool for the situation, how to ‘read’ the grain and how to make smooth cuts regardless of the grain. To this end, the beginner student will execute a couple of exercises which will show how to copy with cuts at different angles to the grain and do simple chip carving with gouges and straight chisels. In subsequent days or weekends, you may then progress through carving a natural leaf in high relief, a Celtic knot work, copies of traditional foliage in various styles and timbers, sculpture in the round or high relief, including human, figure or animal figures or abstract work and lettering. At all stages of the course Ernest shall offer guidance on design and advanced carving techniques.

Please note: this course is to be held in the workshop of Wooburn Craft School in Wooburn Green, HP10 0PJ, near High Wycombe. Morning and afternoon refreshments are included in the course price but lunch is not. Students may be able to purchase lunch locally or can bring their own with them.

There is on street parking close by and a few spaces outside the workshop where tools and equipment can be loaded/unloaded.
Residential option is not available for this course but there are many local options in and around High Wycombe from large chain hotels to smaller guest houses, or even at Missenden Abbey which is about 20 minutes away by car.

Please bring with you

Beginners:

basic drawing materials (e.g. paper, pencils, sharpeners)
a ruler,
a pair of compasses,
and any woodcarving tools you may already own.

Other learners should consult the tutor before the course about the materials relevant to their stages. IMPORTANT: Wood for more advanced students should be arranged before the class starts, Students will be charged, at cost, for the wood.

EVERYONE Please wear stout shoes and old clothes.

The following items can be purchased from your tutor

Tools may be hired from the tutor for the weekend for £3.
Where there is difficulty in obtaining wood the tutor may be able to supply it at cost.

Level

Suitable for all levels

Course Location

Wooburn Craft School
Wooburn Green HP10 0PJ

Tutor

Ernest Riall

Ernest has studied with the leading woodcarvers in England and in France at l’Ecole Boulle. His passion is primarily focused on carving that is in the support of restoration of furniture but he is equally inspired by carving in support of artistic endeavours.
While most of his work has been with pre-18th century pieces, he has worked in a number of different styles from Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Baroque and Neo Classical, as well as modern pieces.

Ernest is active in the furniture and wood section of ICON (the Institute of Conservation). He has taught Wood Carving at both Bucks New University in High Wycombe and at Lyon’s Restoration guiding students to produce a variety of creative objects from a simple leaf, to a totem pole to abstract objects in plywood to horses and the list goes on. He is currently the Director of the Wooburn Craft School as well as teaching wood carving there.

Class Dates
October: 18, 19
November: 15, 16

Class Times: All classes start at 9:30 and end at 17:00

See Missenden School of Creative Arts’ Website for prices and to register:

https://www.missendenschoolofcreativearts.co.uk/summerschool_2025.php

Book Now - From £0.00