Module 1 - Inspiration

Start off your fantastic journey crafting leather armour. Capture your inspiration. You'll learn:

• A step by step detailed introduction teaching you the fundamentals behind the art of “Design” and the skills needed allowing you to create your own unique projects, using centuries old techniques;
• In depth discussions and demonstrations, showing how you can then takes your concepts to the next stage of creation;

• How to create your very own libraries of ideas, as well as My own go to secret sources of inspiration;
  

• How to keep all your ambitious plans, mood boards and ideas organised so you'll never lose a design again.

Module 2 - Design considerations

Dive into all the considerations when designing Armour, Accessories and Costumes. You'll learn:

• How the physical limits of the human form influences the design of your armour, Costumes & Accessories;
• How to create something fit for purpose, its aesthetic fit for your costume or character, as well as all the practical lists of considerations needed when creating any project (Materials choices & their place in your planning) ;
  

• The strengths and weakness of different types of materials, be they leather, fabrics or other synthetic materials;
  

• What's Possible and practical when creating armour (and when you can bend the rules); 

• The differences between turning heads with your Armour at a Ren Faire, Larp or Cosplay vs the NEED to Turn Rattan or Steel at SCA Event.

Module 3 - Creating Your Custom Dummy & Formers

Beginning to bring your concept to life. You'll learn:

• How to create a working dummy based on your exact proportions, enabling a perfect fitting for the wearer;

• The fundamentals of basic design practicalities, enabling a closer look at how materials work together;

• How to work with a mannequin, sizing up, re shaping and adjusting the form, including techniques for extending the life of your working dummy for future projects;

• How you’re working dummy and base forms, will work with your pattern.

Module 5 - Pattern making Part 2

Transferring your physical prototype patterns into final format. You'll learn:

• How to translate designs into digital and final pattern format; allowing faster, easier adjustment options for later use:

• To gain solid understanding of patterns, & sizing techniqies;

• How patterns form the skeleton of almost all designs; and
• The software that Alex uses and valuable tips from his experiences.

Module 6 - Materials

Choosing your materials, their best uses and best practices. You'll learn:

• The different types of leathers and also non-animal alternatives;

• The different terminology;

• How to identify different types and parts of leather;

• A basic understanding of how different types of leather are made;

• How to size and source leather;

• What type of leather you'll need for any given project;

• How to budget for your project and costs involved; and

• Where you can substitute if things get too expensive.

Module 7 - Creating your first prototype

Drawing on all the skills that you've learnt, you'll move from concept to real life creation. You'll learn:

• How to transition from design to a physical representation of your concept; and
• Some basic leather tooling skills.
• The final steps in creating your first working prototype design:
• How to plan for your detailing, embossing and embellishments.

Module 8 - Introduction to tools

Learn all the tools you need to work with leather. You’ll learn:

• What each tool does and their uses, as well as practical demonstrations, hints and tips ;
• The reality of how few tools you require in order to produce any design:

• To gain experience in using these tools; and

• To gain a solid understanding of how to use them to dramatic effect.

Module 9 - Hand Tooling and embossing

Here we teach you more advanced tooling skills to get the detail you want.

• Get 20 years worth of experience and techniques, as well as the processes used by many leading industry professionals;

• How to use simple techniques to create stunning designs; and

• Discover how to add texture, detail and embellishments to elevate your own work to a new standard.

Module 10 - Water forming

Learn the ancient art of leather forming.

• Learn how to use simple techniques and little more water to shape to help you form leather into complex and rigid shape;

• The limitations of forming leather; and

• Tips and tricks to make the process easier.

Module 11 - Hand finishing

The final application of dyes stains waxes and distressing. You'll learn

• How to create stunning professional level finishes:

• How to decorate your leather work, including an introduction to many of the metalwork & finish options available;

• Insider advice on how to add world class finishes; and

• How to apply the same antiquing processes as Alex to create stunning leather.
• How to Gild using both modern and ancient techniques, using a variety of foils, leaves & paints.

Module 12 - Marketing and self- promotion

Building your audience, client base and following. You'll learn:

• How to market, create a social media presence and turn a hobby into a business; and

• Everything Alex has to know about creating a business so that you can create a successful armoury.
• How to create your own personal brand and signature style, enabling your own unique fan following.