Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: DIY Leather Suede Boho Shoulder Handbag



SOOooooo, I was looking for a Boho inspired shoulder Handbag that I could use on the weekends. I found a few but the few that I liked  where not big enough. I don't know how to function without a big handbag. I grabbed 4 pieces of the leather suede [no longer available] and decided I would make my own. I found the perfect pattern. I used See & Sew pattern B5273 and a little pattern-hacking to add my own stamp on this DIY handbag.
I knew I wanted add fringe to my DIY handbag but I wanted to also add something else to the otherwise simple handbag. I toyed with a few colorful trims which would be nice but then I remembered that I had a ton of grommets on hand. I decided to use the big grommets and lots of them for this handbag. Even though my ears were ringing after hammering all the grommets, I was so pleased with this handbag, I'd do it again. In addition to the grommets and fringe, I added a zippered pocket to the back of my handbag.

*This pattern was super easy and would be great for a beginner. 


 Make sure you use the correct needle for your fabric. I used a leather needle for this project


Grommets were installed per the instructions on the package. [Yup I missed a spot for my last grommet in the second row...I didn't even notice until I looked at this picture.]





I used he natural shape from the hide to make the pocket on the back a little more interesting.


  











  

Until Next time peeps!
Michelle @ Thatblackchic
 photo 35845374-bce1-426b-9e7a-633f43c85d42_zps12c60185.jpg

Comments

  1. What a great use of the suede and the grommets. This is an amazing bag!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Carolyn, This was my first shoulder and I think You're going to see me do more of them. I'm going leather shopping!

      Delete
  2. Chic and very interesting bag! Karen

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love it! The design is really cool and you are a crazy good sewer!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Girl....this is soooo dope! Grommets intimidate me....and I have the same pattern and some metallic leather.. I may just do some sewing since I had knee surgery and will be in the house!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do it! Do it! Now that would be dope! I'm going to get some leather and smaller grommets for another bag.........Oh yeah Gromments are EASY just a little tiring when you use a lot but soooo worth it.

      Delete
  5. This is FABULOUS!! I might have to try my hand at this one! Great job as always Michelle!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paula thanks Lady, please do give it a try it's a nice carry all bag.

      Delete
  6. Love it! Did you use topstitching or regular thread for the outside?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Girl let me tell you something about me and top-stitching thread....we never get along! Now because I was procrastinating with my project as usual, I didn't have time to play with any top-stitching thread. I haven't tried using top-stitching thread with my new BERNINIA but I plan to put it to the test. My Singer skipped a lot do it was hit or miss.

      Delete
  7. This is too cute I can't wait to make one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awesome, I can't wait to see what you do with it!

      Delete
  8. If you get your hides in Philly, where would you recommend?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I got this from Fabric Mart. I don't have a go-to place but I do know there is a place on Fabric Row on 4Th & South. I don't know the name of the store.

      Delete
  9. OHMYGOSH!!!!! This is truly phenomenal! This is so high end. I just adore it!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made By A Fabricista: Closing 2025 with a Lined Jacket

Hello again, sewing friends! It seems we have arrived yet again in the grandest season for layering, all this oncoming cold weather. I like ending the year with something warm and very useful. Seems based on my past Fabricista posts, I love to sew year-end outerwear, and this round is no different!  I challenged myself with a new lined coat (wait, jacket? Coat? I feel like the presence of wool changes things?). Anyhoo, since the lovely Chalk & Notch Den Jacket has been in my queue, I proceeded ahead. I like the large pockets, the option to line or not, and the extra bodice and sleeve seams for topstitching.  Sewing this coat is not at all difficult, but the many pieces and loads of topstitching will take a bit of time. My version took me a few multiple-hour sessions to complete. I sewed a size 2, which matches my measurements, and I made no alterations. Hint: for a quick size test, just employ the lining pieces.  Gorgeous, muted blue as a soft wool flannel ? This is ...

Made By A Fabricista: Chalk and Notch Wren Dress: My Buffet dress for the Christmas season!

  I recently sewed the Chalk and Notch Wren dress using a beautifully soft black voile from Fabric Mart, and it turned into such a satisfying, enjoyable project. The pattern itself is very easy to understand and straightforward with clear instructions, intuitive construction, and a relaxed fit that makes the sewing process easy. A buffet dress in the sewing community is a dress that is loose fitting, so you can eat at the buffet without your dress being uncomfortable afterwards, lol! Because the voile I chose is extremely thin and transparent, I opted to line the bodice and first tier. Adding a lining not only provided modesty but also gave the delicate fabric a bit more stability, especially around the neckline and button placket. A helpful tip when sewing a lining into a lightweight bodice is to treat the lining and the main fabric as one. I sewed the bodice as you would for a lined bodice, and the first tier I sewed the pieces together with a basting stitch to make the process...

Made By A Fabricista: Sheer Elegance and Everyday Comfort with my Two New Tops

Hello Sewing Friends! It’s Sharon from Sharon Sews with my last Fabricista make for 2025. While many sew a special holiday outfit at year’s end, I went in another direction sewing two tops that couldn’t be more different. One is sheer and elegant while the other is easy comfort for everyday wear.  These tops reflect how I dress at this stage of life. As an over-50 sewist, these two tops reflect how I dress at this point in my life.  Sometimes I want something a bit special, other times more basic. Either way, sewing them in beautiful fabrics, custom fit to my body, makes all the difference in how I feel when I wear them. Even though I’m quite pleased with my two tops, my original plan was to sew a jacket with the tropical print stretch twill and pair it with a top sewn from the soutache mesh knit . Sadly, I wasn’t quick enough to get enough of the stretch twill to make a jacket, so a top it was!  You do know you have to act fast when you see something you love on Fabric ...