Build the Skills — Then Spend Two Days on Real Customer Jobs
Our most complete leather repair course: one intensive workshop day followed by two days alongside Melissa on genuine commercial repair and restoration work.
Build the technical process on Day 1, then spend two days seeing how professional leather work is assessed and delivered for paying customers.
The greatest amount of real-world experience before working alone.
Day 1 gives you the complete practical workshop foundation. Days 2 and 3 take you out with Melissa to see those skills used on genuine customer jobs.
The second live-work day matters. It gives you more opportunity to see different furniture, customer conversations and repair decisions—and to connect the workshop process with the realities of delivering a paid service.
Understand the material
Learn to identify common leather types, assess condition and recognise what can safely be cleaned or repaired.
Practise the complete process
Prepare, repair, colour match, apply colour and finish leather using professional tools and products.
Build broader commercial confidence
Spend two days alongside Melissa on live jobs and see more of the judgement, communication and problem-solving that turn a repair skill into a service.
The core leather repair and restoration process.
Day 1 moves from correct identification and preparation through to practical repairs, colour work and a professional finish. Days 2 and 3 put the process into commercial context.
Leather identification
Recognise pigmented, aniline, semi-aniline, nubuck and other common leather types so you can choose the correct process.
Condition assessment
Identify wear, contamination, coating failure and common damage before deciding what treatment is appropriate.
Professional cleaning
Learn deep-cleaning and stain-removal methods using professional products without causing avoidable damage.
Preparation and repairs
Prepare surfaces and work on scratches, scuffs, cuts, tears, burns, holes, pet damage and weakened areas.
Colour matching
Understand colour theory and practise mixing repair colours to blend restored areas with the surrounding leather.
Application and finishing
Use professional application and airbrushing techniques to build colour and leave a durable, natural-looking finish.
Suitable for beginners and established service businesses.
- People considering a new leather repair service or side business
- Carpet and upholstery cleaners expanding their services
- Furniture retailers, upholsterers and restorers
- Mobile technicians and tradespeople looking to diversify
- Anyone who wants practical training with no previous experience required
Everything needed across the complete three-day course.
- A full day of hands-on workshop training
- Two days accompanying Melissa on real customer jobs
- Use of professional tools and products during the course
- Training manual and useful aftercare resources
- Guidance on pricing, quoting and finding suitable work
- Ongoing post-course support by phone, WhatsApp or email
One workshop day. Two days in the real world.
The exact live jobs vary because they are genuine customer bookings. The two live-work days give you more opportunity to encounter different furniture, decisions and customer situations.
Identify & assess
Leather types, condition, damage and choosing an appropriate restoration process.
Clean, repair & colour
Hands-on cleaning, preparation, damage repair, colour matching, application and finishing.
Commercial context
See how Melissa assesses the furniture, communicates with the customer, plans the work and applies the repair process on location.
Broaden your experience
Reinforce the commercial process through another day of genuine bookings, practical decisions and professional problem-solving.
Learn from someone who still does the job.
Melissa Edwards doesn’t just teach leather restoration. She runs Classic Leather Care and continues to repair and restore customers’ furniture commercially.
That means the methods taught are grounded in real paid work: how to assess damage, choose a sensible repair, manage expectations and achieve a finish you can stand behind.
Melissa’s teaching is practical and approachable. You can ask questions, practise the techniques and understand why each stage matters.
Courses are kept deliberately hands-on so trainees can receive meaningful guidance. Ask about the next suitable availability rather than choosing from an impersonal list of fixed dates.
You won’t be left on your own when the training ends.
The first real enquiries often create questions no classroom can predict. Ongoing support is included so you have someone experienced to ask.
Send Melissa photos and get practical guidance while you build your judgement and experience.
See Graduate SupportIs the 3-day course the right option?
Choose based on how much supported, real-world experience you want before using the skills commercially.
1-Day Course
Best if you want the core practical workshop training in one focused day.
- Complete workshop foundations
- Hands-on practical repair work
- No live customer-job day
- Ongoing support included
2-Day Course
Best if you want the workshop foundations plus a day alongside Melissa on real customer work.
- Everything taught on Day 1
- One real customer-job day
- Assessment and quoting context
- Ongoing support included
3-Day Course
Best if you want the greatest amount of supervised, real-world experience before working alone.
- Everything taught on Day 1
- Two real customer-job days
- More varied practical exposure
- Ongoing support included
Practical training that builds real confidence.
Graduates repeatedly highlight Melissa’s knowledge, the approachable teaching and the value of learning hands-on.
Tony praised the easy pace, Melissa’s depth of knowledge and the practical, hands-on way the training was delivered.
Tony StewartGoogle reviewGraduate feedback consistently describes the course as clear, informative and confidence-building, with plenty of opportunity to practise.
Leather Academy GraduateGoogle reviewGrace travelled three hours for training and described the journey as completely worthwhile, particularly valuing the hands-on experience.
GraceGoogle review3-day course FAQs.
Do I need any previous leather repair experience?
No. The course is suitable for complete beginners and starts with the fundamentals. It is also useful for established cleaners, upholsterers, restorers and other service professionals adding leather work to their existing business.
Do I need to complete a shorter course first?
No. Day 1 includes the complete practical workshop foundation, so beginners can book the 3-day course directly. Days 2 and 3 then add the real customer-job experience.
What happens on the live customer-job days?
You accompany Melissa on genuine booked work and see how she assesses furniture, communicates with customers, plans repairs and carries out restoration. Because these are real jobs, the exact type and number of repairs will vary.
When do the courses run?
Courses run throughout the year. Contact us to discuss the course you want and we will let you know the next suitable availability. We no longer ask visitors to choose from a public list of fixed dates.
Where is the training held?
The practical workshop training is held at The Leather Academy in South Wales. Full address, travel and arrival information can be confirmed when you enquire or book.
Are tools and products included?
Yes. The professional tools and products required during the training are provided for you to use. If you plan to offer the service commercially, Melissa can also explain what equipment and products you are likely to need afterwards.
What support will I receive after the course?
Ongoing post-course support is included. You can contact Melissa by phone, WhatsApp or email for guidance with leather identification, repairs, colour work, products, quoting and real customer jobs.
Can I arrange one-to-one training?
Bespoke one-to-one training may be available by arrangement. Contact Melissa to explain what you want to learn and discuss the most suitable option.
Will I carry out repairs myself on the live-job days?
Your level of practical involvement will depend on each job, the customer’s furniture and Melissa’s professional judgement. The value of these days is seeing real assessments, decisions, customer communication and commercial repair processes in context—not practising unsupervised on a customer’s furniture.
Why choose 3 days instead of 2?
For £200 more than the 2-day course, you receive an additional full day alongside Melissa on real customer work. That gives you more opportunity to see different situations, reinforce the commercial process and build confidence before working independently.
Ask about the next suitable 3-day course.
Tell Melissa what you want to achieve and she’ll confirm availability—including how the workshop and two live customer-job days are arranged.
Or email info@leatheracademy.co.uk