Skip to product information
1 of 10

The Bag Makers Workshop

"Going Pro" Series: Techniques of the Fileteuse workshop with Isabela Felix

Regular price $497.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $497.00 USD
Sale
Tax included.

June 21-22, 28-29, 2025

9am- 3:30pm PST

Please read ALL details before purchasing. 

Kits are available, and highly recommended, from The BagMaking Academy.

Use discount code "FILETEUSE" to receive 10% off storewide.

Workshop Requirements:

  • Skill level: Intermediate Bag Maker
  • Prerequisite: None
  • Sewing machine requirement: Semi-industrial or industrial sewing machine
  • Other machine requirements: Fileteuse + handle + tips (a recommendation will be provided). A skiver is not required, but very helpful.
  • All supplies required are mentioned in the supply list which will be provided upon registration.
Workshop description:

Ever wondered what makes Hermes so special? 

Step into the world of fine craftsmanship with our workshop dedicated to the highly-coveted, yet super secretive art of European luxury leather working and the fileteuse

Let us introduce you to the elegance, precision, and tradition behind high-end leather artistry—an essential element in the creation of luxury goods. 

In the world of luxury leather craft, edge finishing is where refinement meets artistry. We will focus on one of the most distinctive and essential skills in high-end leather working: preparing clean, elegant edges and mastering the fileteuse.

A fileteuse is one of the most iconic tools in luxury leather working, but owning one is only the beginning.

This hands-on Techniques workshop is designed to demystify the fileteuse and teach you the time-honored edge finishing methods that transform a simple leather project into a refined, elegant piece. You’ll learn not just how to use the tool, but how to control it - with the finesse and precision passed down through generations of European leather artisans.

This hands-on workshop will focus on proper technique and skill building and we will do so while completing a padded laptop (or tablet) case.

This is more than a workshop; it’s an invitation into a tradition of craftsmanship that’s rarely taught outside the private studios of Europe.

 Skills developed:

  • Learn the intricacies of luxury leathers
  • Learn how to prepare leather edges the right way - the essential groundwork for a professional finish
  • Understand the nuances of the fileteuse: choosing the right tip, managing heat settings, and working with different types of leather
  • Develop the muscle memory and control needed to create clean, consistent creases
  • Avoid common mistakes that even experienced crafters make with heated creasing tools

About the Instructor:

Isabela Felix brings years of experience gained through extensive travel and hands-on training across Europe, learning directly from masters. This workshop brings a rare blend of old-world tradition and modern insight to the U.S. leather working scene. With a deep respect for heritage techniques and a commitment to precision, Isabela has combined years of mentorship, studio practice, and hands-on learning into a focused and accessible workshop.

  • Schedule

    Prefer to know ahead of time what the daily schedule looks like for the duration of the workshop?

    Download Printable Schedule 
  • Supplies List

    Want to make sure you're fully prepared and have everything you need to be successful?

    View Supplies List 

About Your Teacher

I am the Founder and Pattern Designer behind The Bag Making Academy, an online shop and community for bag makers, where you find unique bag making materials, education, and resources.
I have been sewing since I was a child, but it wasn't until 2010 when I fell in love with the world of handbags and accessories.
I have attended design school and taken various courses in purse/accessory making, at colleges as well as from various Bag Making Experts and Artisans, in the US and around the world. I also owned a Sewing School and taught many bag making workshops (both in person and online).
In the beginning of 2022, I released my first PDF pattern collection, the Fiori Collection, combining my passion for teaching and my extensive training in pattern drafting.
My courses are designed to provide detailed, step-by-step information. I truly believe that anyone can achieve professional looking results, when given the proper training and the right materials.

Learn More