Do it yourself! Learn the skills and secrets of crafting your unique, durable leather belt, as part of our DIY courses in Sydney!
You'll explore the core techniques of leatherworking from cutting measuring to setting buckles and finishing with personal touch like dyeing or stamping.
This short course is ideal for DIYers, tinkerers, and complete beginners who want to learn how to transform pre-loved leather into something functional, stylish, and truly your own.
By the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:
- Understand types of salvaged leather and basic sustainability considerations
- Safely use core leatherworking tools
- Measure and cut a belt strap to fit
- Set a buckle, rivets/snaps, and keeper loop
- Punch holes, burnish edges, and customise using dyes or stamps
- Care for and maintain their belt over time
Course content
1. Welcome, Safety & Sustainability
- Workshop goals and finished belt examples
- PPE and tool safety
- Why salvaged leather: sourcing, quality, ethics
2. Tools & Materials Familiarisation
- Overview of leatherworking tools (knives, punches, mallets, setters)
- Understanding buckles, rivets, keeper loops, and optional dyes/stamps
3. Design & Measuring
- Belt width and buckle pairing
- Measuring waist and laying out hole spacing
- Mark-up on leather
4. Cutting & Strap Preparation
- Safe straight cuts and shaping tips
- Edge beveling, sanding, and prepping for burnishing
5. Buckle End & Keeper Loop
- Folding and setting buckle ends
- Punching holes and adding rivets/snaps
- Making and attaching a keeper loop
6. Customisation
- Burnishing edges with wax
- Optional dyeing or staining
- Stamping initials or simple designs
7. Hole Layout & Finishing
- Even spacing and alignment
- Conditioning, polishing, and final fit check
8. Care & Repair
- Cleaning, conditioning, and storage
- Simple repair techniques (hardware, edge re-burnishing)
9. Wrap-Up & Q&A
- Showcase and final fit
- Troubleshooting tips and next-project ideas
All materials and tools are provided, including:
- Pre-cut, pre-inspected salvaged leather straps
- Buckles, rivets/snaps, keeper loops
- Leatherworking tools (individual and shared stations)
- Consumables: wax, conditioner, sandpaper, rags
- Step-by-step printed handout
You will learn
- Safely use core leatherworking tools
- Measure, cut, and assemble a leather belt
- Customise with dyeing, stamping, and finishing techniques
You will get
- All salvaged leather materials and hardware
- Use of leatherworking tools and consumables
- Step-by-step printed handout
Appropriate for
Adults 18+, beginners, DIY hobbyists, sustainable craft enthusiasts
What to bring
- Closed-toe shoes and suitable clothing
- Hair tied back, no loose sleeves or jewellery
- Optional: bring your own buckle (subject to approval)
What to wear
Casual, suitable for workshop
The Bower
The Bower is a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to:
- Reduce the amount of hard waste going to landfills through education, repair, reuse and resale
- Raise awareness of the value of waste reduction
- Advocate for long-life design, repairable products and the use of sustainable, recyclable materials for appliances and furnishings
- Encourage community awareness of environmentally responsible design and manufacture
- Provide affordable goods to low-income earners and other disadvantaged groups in the community
- Involve the community in the development and achievement of these objectives
- Generate employment opportunities and skills training in the community
- Contribute to the social and environmental sustainability of the Sydney community via these objectives.
Organized by
Sydney Community College
38 reviewsSydney Community College is a registered charity with a voluntary Board of Directors.
The College has a mission to offer innovative continuing adult education and training programmes that support individual efforts and facilitate sustainable social change.
We do this by:
- Providing quality continuing adult education opportunities for people to build practical and theoretical skills and develop knowledge;
- Leveraging from and developing community capacity and inclusivity;
- Developing innovative affordable and accessible skills training programmes;
- Partnering with like organisations to deliver learning opportunities for disadvantaged individuals and communities;
- Partnering with all levels of government to deliver education policy objectives.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
- A refund can be requested 10 days before class starts. An admin fee of AU$45.00 applies.
Terms & Conditions
At Sydney Community College, we know that plans can change unexpectedly. Whether it’s a shift in your schedule, a family emergency, or just a change of heart, we want to support you in the fairest way possible.
At the same time, we’re a not-for-profit organisation that commits resources to running each class—so last-minute cancellations can significantly impact our ability to offer quality, affordable programs.
That’s why we’ve created a simple, transparent policy that balances your need for flexibility with our need to plan and deliver courses sustainably. Our cancellation policy offers two clear options, depending on when you notify us:
Cancel More Than 10 Days Before the Course Starts – You can choose to receive a full refund, minus a $45 administration fee OR a non-refundable credit note valid for 12 months for the full value you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Option 2: Cancel Within 10 Days of the Course Starting - You’ll receive a credit note valid for 12 months for 50% of the course fee you paid for the course. This credit can be used towards any future course at the College.
Please note that both refund and credit options are only available before the course begins. Once the course has started—or if you decide to withdraw after it has commenced—no refunds or credits can be issued. If you need to cancel your enrolment, just email us and we’ll take care of it based on the timelines above.
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DIY Leather Belt Workshop
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