Perfect Tote Pattern Every Time: Design Your Own Bag with CONFIDENCE!

[@williamhand-u4q]

By far one of the most helpful videos ive ever seen of explaining folds and cuts and the WHY and the HOW of the math.

[@ahmedhesham8278]

U r one of the most honest leather crafter in this world .. u realy spread secrets

[@ClaridgeLeather]

🙏🏼 Thank you!!

[@ShiShi0238]

The best tutorial .. nobody explains this way ..thank you ❤

[@matthewcellar4772]

I know you haven't posted a video in years but I hope you know how helpful you are with the videos you make. I only recently got into leathercraft and I made a tote for my wife following your videos. I must have watched them a dozen times while working on it, but now she uses it every day! Thank you for all your care and instruction!

[@ClaridgeLeather]

That is so great to hear! Good job making your wife a tote. 😄 I’m actually working on a new video at the moment- a briefcase with pdf pattern! Thank you for the note- so great to read it! -Tanner

[@jamesbuchanan3439]

So pleased to see a simple explanation of how to do this tote bag pattern for those just coming in to this craft! Since I do all hand stitching, it is advantageous to do an exact accounting on the number of stitches/holes, for one thing such that the "barn door" holes match up one-for-one with where they need to meet up with the bottom. I have found that a 5 mm (Japanese) pricking iron with six points is exceptionally close to 1 inch between the outer tine's points, with basically one-fifth of an inch from each point to adjacent point. (A fifth of an inch is actually 5.08 mm, not 5 mm, but for leather work this is definitely close enough!) All this leads to it being convenient to work in fifths of an inch, rather than quarters of an inch, etc...

[@bbrachman]

Learned a new term that I did not know before. Drop. The distance from the shoulder to the top of the bag. Excellent!!!

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Cool! I learned that from a customer, I think. : )

[@bagramdave883]

Tanner, can I measure the drop by drawling the shoulder strap over one finger (from the finger to the top of the bag), or do I need to have the strap over someone’s shoulder (then measure top of shoulder to the top of bag)? I don’t know how to do the drop for an apron for the same reason. Can I hold it over my finger, or do I need a neck?

[@viewerPluisje]

Thank you so much for your videos. I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to make these videos, even if they don't have a lot of traction right now. I really like how you're explaining everything in a clear and simple manner, makes things a lot more accessible for newbies like us. Also want to call out your positive demeanor, happy to learn from someone who's such a positive person!

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thank you so much! That means the world to me. Everybody has to start somewhere, so it’s a privilege to get on here and share what I know! So glad that it brings value to you! Thank you for taking the time to leave this comment! 🙏🏼

[@noellehaland2781]

Fantastic, clear explanations for my geometry-poor brain - thank you! Definitely the best instructions I've found so far.

[@josheyrooney]

Thank you so much. This was very helpful!

[@meangreanbean]

your teaching has helped me learn so much and grow in the craft. I cant tell you how much youre appreciated

[@Kcoupn]

Just what I was looking for. Thanks!

[@texasgigi3684]

Very helpful!!! Thanks, Tanner!!!

[@alexreyes6866]

nailed it. this was the perfect guide on how to pattern out a custom size bag. thank you!

[@indigoglass6638]

Great explanation. Thank you for including the section on how to break the pattern down to maximize your leather use.

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thanks for watching! I am glad you found it helpful! I appreciate all your support!

[@leighbaragwanath]

Tanner you are doing a fantastic job with educating crafters in leather working projects, well done & keep the videos coming.

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thank you so much, Leigh!

[@Jamie-k7e7e]

Definitely help me break the ice! Thank🙋🏼‍♀️

[@TiffaniTube622]

This is so thorough and helpful. Thanks I am going to do it this week. Have a blessed week

[@mattst4444]

Clever. Explained very well. Thank you!

[@2sambell]

Great video!!! Thank you for sharing.

[@patriciaingraldi4719]

Thank you. Very clear and helpful directions

[@hdgjkag]

Thank you, really enjoyed it. Lot's of good tips!

[@jonathanleonard4222]

Tanner, genuinely you are awesome mate! These videos are bloody brilliant. What a great teacher, awesome awesome awesome! Thank you.

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thank you so much, Jonathan! I can’t tell you how much that means! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@tmb9126]

Thank you very much! I have liked and I have subscribed! Blessings to you for keeping it real!

[@curtriceennis2924]

Thank You ... I have been searching for an in - depth video on how to measure your fabric for a personal - preference - sized tote bag. I have seen so many different ones, but, yours really explains in detail how to size a tote to your own personal needs. TYSM for sharing this video, and, your techniques and knowledge with us. Hopefully now I can make the size I need with a couple of interior zipper pockets. Love your channel and I do hope you're still making videos for us. 👍😉

[@cynthiacatnott9012]

Thanks for the inches measurements...lol.Very straight forward. I am very grateful since I had problems deciding on measurements.

[@arebuwewithsir_chiloane2486]

amazing and simple to understand... thank u sire

[@danpost4755]

Tanner, this is an excellent tutorial video! I hope you are doing well, and I hope to see some new tutorial and project videos sometime soon!

[@josannemurer]

Thanks so much! ❤ Great demonstration and easy to follow instruction!

[@leatherbydragonfly]

Totes are fun to make and are great for being creative. But fashion items can be a tough sell. Most woman are brand loyal. Solid information Tanner and easily followed by your new followers. I think the explanation of how and why we do certain processes is overlooked in most videos. You did an outstanding video. A job well done. Keep up the good work. Breaking up the pattern allows you to maximize leather and and some creative contrast with color or texture. I personally like to use one piece but sometimes the hide dictates what you can use.

[@D7om242]

You are an amazing maker and teacher. I really got the idea simple and easy. THANK YOU SO MUCH.. :D

[@rbm8456]

Thank you very much for sharing, exactly what I needed. Subscribed!

[@Stang94Red]

I really appreciate you taking the time to make this video. Myself like so many other have been using other people's patterns not really understand how they got to their finished product and this really simplifies it. Very helpful for the community

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thank you, Bobby. I appreciate the kind words-- thank you for watching!!!

[@dmack1827]

These are better than HGTV productions. Very impressive, great job.

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thank you so much! That means the world. So glad you’re here!! -Tanner

[@virtusleather]

Just awesome Tanner! Working at night like the rest of us leather dads with small kids 😂. Keep up the great work brother! 👍🏻🇺🇸🇨🇦.

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Yessir! Thanks so much for your support, my friend! Blessings to you and your family!

[@trelawishon6582]

Awesome Video! I finally found a video that explains how to design a bag AND in simple terms! Thank You!!

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thanks for watching!! Have fun!

[@sabrinacrnkic2902]

Great video. Thank you. It helped a lot.

[@elliotgb]

Amazing video, really helpful

[@CMRLeatherworks]

Excellent tutorial.

[@curtgratteau7321]

This was some very helpful information. Thanks Tanner.

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Glad to hear that, Curt! I hope your project goes great!

[@adriennesaunders8891]

Thank you I've been given scraps of car seats leather. I make upcycled jean bags and thought of corners and accents of leather on the bags. You have given me an idea to fold the rawedge and stitch it. Or even use the scraps as the bottom of the bag. I appreciate the clear you have explained this bag.

[@woowaptibam5253]

This is a very good video! You made it very easy to understand and I learned quite a few things. Thanks for sharing!

[@dannymarkgraf34]

very helpful video. you are a great teacher

[@adeliachambers4031]

Thank you so much. I have the leather hides but I didn’t want to spend extra money on trying to find the “magic” pattern without an option for machine stitching. I love that the seams are not seen for a modern eye appeal. And this pattern can be hand stitched easily with seams still hidden. Keep it up 👍🏾

[@pmelchman]

Great video Tanner. I am glad you showed different ways to break down the template. Some leather can be expensive and this allows us to maximize the leather on hand. 👍

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thanks, Patrick. I really appreciate your support! I kind of like the look of the multi-panel bags as well!

[@allfortheking469]

Most helpful. Thank you very much for taking the time to teach us.

[@ClaridgeLeather]

My pleasure, thanks for watching!

[@fuganetti]

Awesome video, thank you! Pattern making is intimidating, now its less so after watching this!

[@paulabeaulieu484]

Excellent instruction!

[@dexterloza773]

Fantastic video👌

[@sarahfichuk6904]

Love this video - thank you so much

[@hansocken]

Thanks so much for taking the time to create this video. I often refer back to it as I do not make many bags. Thanks again and appreciate all the videos

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Hans, I am so glad to hear that!! Please keep in touch and send a picture of a bag sometime (on Instagram or email to [e-mail]). I’d love to see what you make! -Tanner

[@iskoleather7071]

This video really is amazing, you can add all your bells and whistles after, but just to give us the base template to create tote bags will save me so much money on templates

[@robertdrago8258]

This video came along at the perfect time! Going to make a tote bag for my fiancee and had it all planned out. This video saved me a few what would have been missteps/oversights, and saved me leather! Informative from top to bottom(no pun). Thanks for taking the time to put these videos together for everybody!

[@ClaridgeLeather]

That's awesome! So glad it was helpful, Robert! Thanks for your support!

[@annier4145]

Looking forward for part 2! Thank you

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Great! Thanks for watching, Annie! (Hopefully you found Part 2?)

[@valeriaiacono5308]

Thank you so much, I was having a hard time figuring out how to get the final measurements I wanted. I turned all your measures in cm and calculated a different seam allowance. Great video and very well explained!

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Great to hear! Have fun and thank you for your comment! Happy bag-making!

[@czarmainedatiles6282]

You have explained very well! Would love a tutorial please on how to do the rolled edge + zipper attachment 😊

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Yes, definitely! Stay tuned! :)

[@martinlavoie4002]

I would love to see that also

[@jessicazerb1303]

I realize so many people have commented this exact thing, but thank you so much for your videos! You are an excellent teacher and the leather crafting mentor we’ve all been looking for.

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Jessica, thank you! I cannot tell you how much that means. Seriously, I read and appreciate every comment, and a comment like this makes me so excited to keep doing this. I can’t wait for what’s ahead! 🙏🏼 -Tanner

[@aymanmoussa3129]

Love your style of teaching! You’re a good man! Looking forward to the next Video 👍🏽

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thanks so much for watching! Hope you found the next video? Cheers!

[@stevedodson7126]

Thank you so much. I’ve been looking for a video like this that explains the details like this.

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Great to hear that, Steve! So glad you found it helpful. Thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@rozihorn360]

Very detailed.

[@ljtirado8107]

Thank you this was so helpful!! 💯💯💯💯

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Awesome!!! I love to hear that-- happy bag making!

[@charlotteayre461]

Excellent tutorial!

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thank you for watching, Charlotte!

[@stevemalone2010]

Well done, very clear, I’ve done several but still learned something.

[@ClaridgeLeather]

That’s great to hear, Steve! Thank you for watching!

[@danielirvine7468]

You’re a great teacher mate ! Thanks for the time and effort you put in to you’re vids I really feel I can actually do this now thanks to you Want to make this for my wife

[@Bartowham1]

Excellent. Thank you so much. Tomorrow I'm off to Tandy to get what I need to make a tote.

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Sweet! I love hearing that! If you’re on Instagram, please send me a picture of your tote! Have fun!!

[@cititattoo]

Thank you so so much!❤

[@ms.beehaven266]

You're awesome. Great explanation. Thank you for this info

[@rohitkrishnan4429]

Such a well thought out, well-explained tutorial. Thank you so much.

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Hey Rohit- I appreciate you watching and letting me know that! So glad you found it to be useful. Hope to see you on the next one! -Tanner

[@PetervanderPlaat]

What thickness do you recommand, for this Tote bag?. Thanks so much for this video, this is a first video, where someone explains how to design a bag. I looking forward for the next video

[@ClaridgeLeather]

I generally use a medium-temper 5/6 oz, though 4/5oz works really well too. Much thicker than 6 oz gets harder to flip right side-out at the end, which is also compounded by firmer tempered leathers. Thanks so much for watching! Cheers!

[@joemanthei695]

@@ClaridgeLeather ...and keep in mind something my wife always tells me: a woman is concerned about the overall weight of the bag. Not just color, style, size, etc. Leather greater than 6 oz is going to be heavy even when empty!

[@williamhershey9713]

I'm wanting corner seams because I typically use tote bags for my library and bookstore visits. I think that I can figure this out though by modifying your technique. One thing that I've been doing with my cheaper grocery store totes is to cut a foam core or wood base to fit the bottom of the bag. It protects books from getting bent.

[@Lori1752]

Great Video!

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thank you, Lori! I appreciate your support!

[@bkgloverjr]

Great video

[@daniellc5160]

Perfect presentation!👍

[@ClaridgeLeather]

That means a ton- thank you, Daniel!

[@walternoteboom376]

Great lesson

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thank you again for watching, Walter!

[@larrywilliamson709]

Great video!!

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thanks, Larry!

[@ryanh6081]

Thank you!

[@georgekonop3418]

Just wanted to say your videos are great. Straightforward and easy to follow. I just used this tutorial to design and make 5 bags. One was the test just to see how to do this. The next 4 came out nice thanks to this easy to follow video. One question for you which has nothing to do with this video is, where did you get your anvil? I've been trying to find a small one like that and have been coming up empty. I'm sure at some point I may find one at a flea market or estate sale but they are difficult to find. Thanks again for all the videos and keep up the great work.

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thanks George! That little blue is from Harbor Freight, actually! Glad to hear your bags worked out well- have fun!!

[@sandraportugal1]

you are an excellent teacher. Have you already given up publishing videos? I noticed that most are around 3 years old

[@michealdoran475]

Thanks for the tips! I’m really excited to make a couple tote bags. I always struggled with the box method of the tote. I have a cobra class 20 and I wish I would have spring for the 26 of class 4 for this purpose of making bags. Thanks again!

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Hey Michael! Yeah, a flatbed machine can make it a real wrestling match, especially with anything besides thin material. I appreciate you watching and saying hello!

[@cassiejeanette]

Great video thank you

[@annier4145]

Hi Tanner!! I hope all is well for you and your family!! It's been a while since your last video, so just a quick hello and..Looking forward to see what you are working on these days!😉

[@Hawk74]

This was a fantastic video! Great explanation, and context to the planning and pattern process. I also appreciate the tips along the way. I've made a few bags but I'm still finding my way and this kind of explanation really adds a lot of insight. Thank you.

[@alafrancaiseshop]

Good one as always 😉

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thanks so much for watching! Cheers!

[@fatenelshafie8667]

Thank you

[@paulfellowes4879]

Great video Tanner. I can't wait to get started :). I have the template cut out and drew the measurements straight onto it, so that I have some reference to dimensions when I start to cut out the pattern on the hide. I know time is an issue as you have a full-time job and this is just a hobby, but when do you think the next video part will be up? Thanks!

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Yes! I love to hear this! I am actually planning/hoping to start filming it today, so I will be able to post it within a week or so. Thanks so much for watching! I think you'll love the process of making the bag! Are you hand stitching it?

[@luckysakonta3724]

Tanner, that apron hey!, I want it

[@scotclark2983]

I did it!! I commented before that your video inspired me to try to make a tote bag, and well I have completed my first tote bag and it looks awesome! Thank you!!! And I look forward to learning more and viewing more of your videos .😎👍🇺🇸 if there is a place I can send a pic let me know. Blessings to you and yours....

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Yes!!! Scot, I can’t tell you how happy that makes me! Way to go! I would absolutely love to see pictures. You can send them to me on Instagram or else email them to [e-mail]. Cheers, my friend- stay in touch! -Tanner

[@berndmuffe5681]

Love!!!

[@graysontomberlin5748]

I love the video and have sold a lot of them almost just like this one! Though, have you ever made a small/ meduiem sized duffle bag? I've been trying to make one and I am not having any luck with it at all. Looking for advice and pointers.

[@tjwills7608]

Wonderful video! You have been given the gift of teaching along with being an excellent leather crafter! I have a question… how would you go about laying out the design of the inside of your tote with various sizes of pockets for specific items like a phone, or baby bottle, for example without showing the seams of the pockets on the exterior panels of the tote? Thank you again for sharing your expertise!

[@ClaridgeLeather]

I have done “hanging pockets” which are riveted at the top using the same rivets as the handles. Essentially one piece of folded leather (folded along the bottom), with one side extending higher than the other at the top, sewn along the vertical edges and riveted at the top to “hang” it inside the bag. Does that make sense? That’s one way to do it, at least. Have fun!

[@tjwills7608]

Thank you for the information!

[@nateand3]

Awesome video. Ima go see if you put out the back pack video yet

[@nateand3]

I made a personal playlist called leather projects where I could save things i want to make or learn a concept or even just a better way. I just realized i could just go to your channel because i save 90% of your stuff anyway

[@ClaridgeLeather]

That’s awesome!! I’ve had to take a break for a bit, but I’ll be filming again today! Thank you so much!

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Going to start filming it today!

[@life-explorer]

thanks

[@ayasalama7533]

Great video in the right time, If I want my tote bag to have a narrower base, should I add a couple of inches to the bags top ends, and cut leather in a diagonal line from top to bottom?

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Well, keep in mind that simply by closing the top of the bag (even with a non-tapered pattern) it will widen to give a tapered look. If you do want to add width to the top, keep in mind that it will be exaggerated by the natural widening of the top as it closes together. Does that make sense?

[@romanlembersky5303]

You another genius after little kimg leather goods, you become a professors 😂

[@olganelly]

Hermosura de hombre ♥️♥️🤩🤩

[@terence3005]

GREAT VIDEO! What is the recommended width of the strap handle?

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thanks, Terence! I personally like 1” (25mm)… seems just about right to me!

[@shay_bytes]

Well explained , I appreciate that . Love from India

[@synwannleathercraft8506]

Thankr sir this so usuful

[@ClaridgeLeather]

Thanks for watching! Glad it was helpful!

[@gregmccaddon6077]

This is timely for me as I'm making a wallet for some stamp punches.

[@rootedlivinghomestead3021]

How much extra do you allow if making the one that pieces the top and bottom separately?

[@ClaridgeLeather]

I usually overlap the panels by about 3/4” if I make two rows of stitching. So I add about 3/4” to each panel where they overlap, keeping the overall dimension the same as what you’ve designed. Hope that makes sense!

[@Rdave-vv8ie]

Also what weight do you use for the straps?

[@ClaridgeLeather]

I really like to use something thick, like 10-12oz bridle leather. Otherwise, I double up the bad leather and make a two-layer sewn strap. Thanks for watching!