Skip to main content

Made By A Fabricista: Let’s Make a Leather Bag

Hi Guys! I’m trying something a little different today.  We are going to make a leather bag.  I was looking around the Fabric Mart website for fabric for my next project and I came across Sue’s Pick.  The fabric choice for that day was this gorgeous black leather fabric. The best part was that the leather was only $20 a piece.  When I received it at home, I couldn’t believe how soft the leather was. I was in love.


First, we are going to make the pattern and then we’ll sew it up.  You are going to need a ruler, pencil, and scissors to draft the pattern.

Purse Pattern

Main Pattern Piece – Cut 2

1. Make a 14 x 16 rectangle.  

2. At the bottom of this pattern piece, you will cut a 2 x 2 square on each side.

3. At the top of this pattern piece, measure in 1” on each side and then measure from that point down to the corner of the cut-out square at the bottom. Cut that piece off.

Pocket Piece – Cut 1

4. Make a 7 x 10 square.

5. Go in ½” at the top and go down 3” on each side. Cut that section off.

Straps – Cut 2

6. Make a 2” x 32” rectangle. 

Cut all your pattern pieces and let’s sew!

Select one of your main pattern pieces to make it the front.  Find the center of your front pattern piece and edge your pocket piece leaving the top open.  Sewn down the middle of your pocket piece to make 2 pocket openings if you like.

With right sides together, use clips to hold your pattern pieces together and sew the 2 sides and the bottom using ¼” seam allowance.



Pin together the bottom corners and sew at ¼” seam allowance.

Turn your bag right side out.

Take your straps and fold them in half and edge stitch down the 2 long sides of the strap or you can glue them closed.  Mark 2 inches at the bottom of each strap and attach it the sides of the bag.  I used glue.

You are all done! You just made a leather bag.



How do you think I did?  I hope you like my bag just as much as I do.  Let me know if you ever get around to making this bag and make sure you keep your eye out on the Fabric Mart site for amazing deals.

Until next time!

JOHANNA @soveryjo  


Unfortunately Fabric Mart Fabrics sell out quickly!
You can find similar fabrics by shopping the following categories: LEATHER.

Comments

  1. This is great!!! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you Jazz. You inspired me to make a leather bag!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow! I love the bag and the shape of it and of the outside pocket. I think it gives it some “personality.” What type of glue did you use to attach the straps? Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  4. Fabulous bag. This is the first time I recall a Fabricista sew something with Fabric Mart leather. I have purchased so many garment weight leather skins, both smooth and hair on (shearling etc.) from FM over the years. They are always great quality, unique textures and colors, and when they are on sale, the heck with my budget.

    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: The Bernadette

Hello friends,  My Latest Fabricista Make: Friday pattern Co Bernadette Skirt x Midnight Navy Cotton/Lycra Sateen Stretch Denim Hi everyone, this is Byrd with my latest Fabricista make! When I saw Fabric Mart’s Muted Midnight Navy Cotton/Lycra Sateen Stretch Denim , I knew it would be perfect for my next project. The color is rich and versatile—a deep navy that works as a neutral but still has presence. The stretch denim has just the right balance: structure with a bit of give, making it great for a garment that needs both shape and comfort. It’s an ideal fabric for fall transitions, but it’s sturdy enough to carry straight into winter with tights and boots. For the pattern, I chose the Bernadette Skirt by Friday Pattern Company . This is one of their newer designs, and I knew immediately I wanted to sew it up. It’s a modern skirt that blends structure and style, with darts in the back and pleats in the front for a flattering fit. One of my favorite features is the belt, and of co...

Made By A Fabricista: Falling for Knits

We are now well into Fall, even though the temps are still relatively warm here in Texas.  I love the fall season and dressing for Fall.   When it comes to the conversation of knits vs. wovens I typically sew mostly wovens. So for this post I decided to sew completely knits!  With the holiday season right around the corner I saw these three dress styles as perfect for Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving gatherings.  The first look is a tried and true pattern Simplicity S9372.  Using this gorgeous burgundy ponte knit , I like how this pattern fits throughout. I chose this color to add to my typically neutral palette in my closet.  I also wanted something I could wear to my sorority meetings and found this color perfect.  It's an easy sew with back fisheye darts  and invisible zipper to add to the tapered style.  The neckline and armholes are finished with bias binding giving it a clean finish on the inside.  I used a universal needle to sew a...

Made By A Fabricista: The Art of the Slow Make: My La Forme Double-Breasted Jacket

I started this project back in July — one of those mid-summer sewing plans meant to get me ahead for fall. My idea was simple: start my wardrobe a season (or two) early so that when cooler weather came, I’d already have a few handmade pieces ready to wear. That was the plan, anyway. But as sewing often reminds us, plans evolve. This jacket, made using La Forme pattern No. 0303, is a double-breasted design with peak lapels and an exaggerated hip detail that gives it such a striking silhouette. I fell in love with the structure of the pattern right away — it has that timeless, tailored feel I can never resist — but it also asked for patience. I picked it up and put it down several times over the months, letting it rest while I worked on other projects, until finally, the timing felt right to bring it to life. And now, here we are — the leaves are turning, there’s a chill in the air, and some parts of the country are even seeing snow. My summer-started jacket is finally finished, and it c...