Entry No. 195 — the Denver file — filed under: hands-on
Ember & Stitch
Ember & Stitch is a leather studio in Denver's Santa Fe Arts District with a workshop space and a branding bar, where beginners can build a real leather piece in one to two hours without knowing how to sew. Project options range from a cardholder or refillable journal to a full leather tote or laptop sleeve. The branding bar is the quirky hook: you can iron-brand and emboss your initials or a design onto your piece or onto a leather item you bring from home.
The story
Aspen native Tessa Guthrie set up Ember & Stitch off West 8th Avenue after returning to Denver and noticing an obvious gap in the Santa Fe Arts District: plenty of gallery walls to look at, but nowhere to sit down and physically craft 1970s-inspired leather goods. Self-taught through online tutorials, she opened what stands as the city’s first dedicated leatherworking studio and branding bar. Instead of leaning into kitschy western tropes, the space favors warm golden tones, vintage furnishings, and clean lines.
The mechanical workaround that makes the studio functional for total novices is ditching needle and thread entirely. Instead of spending hours struggling through hand-stitching wax thread, you construct your piece—ranging from slim cardholders and refillable journals to full totes and laptop sleeves—using precise folds, rivets, heavy hardware, and pre-cut hides in a tidy one to two hours.
Then comes the branding bar, a vintage-style counter stocked with heated branding irons and metal embossing dies. You can burn custom initials, symbols, or short words directly into the piece you just built—or bring in a real leather jacket, belt, or notebook from home, provided you leave synthetic hides at the door.
What it's like
Stepping into 918 W 8th Ave puts you in a bright, mid-century Western studio that smells strongly of hide and oil rather than industrial sawdust. Class sizes are capped at 12 people, so you won't have to fight over hole punches or wait endlessly for instruction. The vibe is laid-back and music-filled, frequently hosting BYOB nights, dog-collar builds, and First Friday art walk walk-ins. If you bring an item from home to hit with the iron, double-check that it is genuine leather; faux leather will melt onto the brand.
The move: Hand-build matching leather cardholders or a journal, then personalize them at the branding bar with iron-branded initials or a custom mark.
📍 Before you go Workshops run 1-2 hours, roughly $45-145 depending on project; check the calendar for which workshop is scheduled.
- 📍 Lincoln Park / West 8th, Denver
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 918 W 8th Ave, Denver, CO 80204
Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Room for Friends … a wine bar! — Walk a block down Santa Fe Drive after your workshop to unwind over a glass of wine in a storefront lounge that feels like a living room.
- The Wytch's Brew — Match the heat of hot-iron leather branding with Persian teas and house botanicals just down the strip.
- Denver Art Society — Contrast your structured leathercraft workshop with a stroll through this uncurated, 100-artist co-op gallery.
- Hardy & Fuller — Make it a full maker day by forging iron at an anvil at Hardy & Fuller before hot-branding leather at Ember & Stitch.
Good to know
Do I need any prior leatherworking or sewing experience?
No. All workshops are beginner-friendly and engineered without sewing, using rivets, hardware, and folding techniques instead of needles.
What projects can I make during a workshop?
Project options vary by class schedule and include cardholders, refillable journals, belts, laptop sleeves, leather totes, and custom dog collars.
Can I bring my own leather item to use at the Branding Bar?
Yes, provided the item is genuine, non-vegan leather. Synthetic materials melt under the heated branding irons.
How long do workshops take and what do they cost?
Workshops run between 1 and 2.5 hours, with ticket prices ranging from $45 to $145 depending on the project.
Are workshops BYOB?
Yes, Ember & Stitch regularly hosts BYOB community craft nights and private group workshops.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · 303magazine.com · Westword · visitdenver.com · voyagedenver.com
last checked: 2026-06-23