A good bag is one of the oldest tools a person can carry. Before there were pockets or backpacks, there were leather pouches - made by hand, worn close to the body, built to hold whatever the land or the day demanded.

In this half-day class, Dan from Merchant Leather will teach you to hand-sew your own forager-inspired leather bag using the traditional saddle stitch, a two-needle technique that has been used by makers for centuries. You’ll choose your project and leather color in advance, then spend your session bringing it to life - marking, punching, and stitching your way to a finished bag you’ll carry for years.

This class pairs naturally with Avon Hills’ foraging programming. Whether you’re heading out to pick mushrooms, gather herbs, or just want a well-made bag to carry through the woods or around town, you’ll leave with something built for exactly that. All tools are provided, and no prior leatherworking experience is needed.

Leather is forgiving in the best way. It softens with use, develops a patina unique to the person carrying it, and only gets better with age. The bag you make here won’t just look good on day one - it will look even better in ten years.