Learn Leather Repair — Then See It Done on Real Customer Jobs
A complete practical workshop day followed by a day alongside Melissa on genuine commercial leather repair and restoration work.
Learn the process on Day 1, then see how it is applied, explained and delivered for paying customers on Day 2.
Build the skills — then connect them to real paid work.
Day 1 gives you the complete practical workshop foundation. Day 2 takes you out with Melissa to see how those skills are used on genuine customer jobs.
You will not only practise repair techniques. You will also see how an experienced technician assesses furniture in a customer’s home, explains the work, manages expectations and delivers a professional result.
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.
Experience the commercial reality
Spend Day 2 alongside Melissa on live jobs and see the judgement, communication and practical decisions 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. Day 2 puts 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 two-day course.
- A full day of hands-on workshop training
- One day 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
Workshop foundations followed by real-world experience.
The exact live jobs vary because they are genuine customer bookings, but the course follows a clear progression from learning the process to seeing it delivered commercially.
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.
Customer assessment
See how Melissa inspects the furniture, confirms the job, communicates with the customer and plans the work.
Commercial delivery
Observe real repair and restoration work, practical problem-solving and professional finishing in context.
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 2-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 review2-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 the 1-day course first?
No. Day 1 of this course includes the complete practical workshop foundation, so beginners can book the 2-day course directly. Day 2 then adds the live customer-job experience.
What happens on the live customer-job day?
You accompany Melissa on genuine booked work and see how she assesses the furniture, communicates with the customer, plans the repair and carries out the 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 day?
Your level of practical involvement will depend on the job, the customer’s furniture and Melissa’s professional judgement. The value of the day is seeing real assessments, decisions, customer communication and commercial repair processes in context—not practising unsupervised on a customer’s furniture.
Should I choose the 2 or 3-day course?
Choose 2 days for the full workshop foundation plus one day of live customer work. Choose 3 days if you want a second live-job day, greater exposure to different situations and more time to build commercial confidence.
Ask about the next suitable 2-day course.
Tell Melissa what you want to achieve and she’ll confirm availability — including how the workshop and live customer-job days are arranged.
Or email info@leatheracademy.co.uk