How to Make a Saddle Bag Crossbody Purse

This is our newest project video here on our channel!
This video shows how to make a new crossbody purse that I just came up with. The design is based on a real saddle bag design altered to work as a crossbody purse. I think the design of this purse is really nice and would be popular with many.
This would be a great project to offer to your customers for gift ideas. You also may want to make one of these for that special lady in your life. This crossbody purse goes together very well and has a lot of room to do floral tooling and personalization.
If you would like to purchase the pattern pack for this project, then click this link to get that. dgsaddlery.com/product/saddle...
The pattern pack is a DIGITAL DOWNLOAD in a PDF format that you print out on your own printer. The pack includes all the cut patterns as well as 6 different floral patterns.
Here are some reference links to other videos we have made that may be helpful during the build of this project:
A video on our antiquing process: dgsaddlery.com/how-to-oil-and...
A video on how I slick my edges: dgsaddlery.com/how-to-slick-e...
Here is a couple links to two other style of leather purses project videos that we have done:
The full project video for the wristlet purse: dgsaddlery.com/how-to-make-a-...
The full project video for the Round Crossbody purse: dgsaddlery.com/how-to-make-a-...

[@ronniebrosnahan1356]

Don Gonzalas is an artist with leather. The most amazing leather craftsman ever. Watch and you will see

[@richardkatzman1215]

Absolutely beautiful job. I wish I could free hand your artwork. Your tooling is unbelievable. Best regards, Richard

[@LizDavis2009]

Beautiful bag!! Your wife must have the best purse collection in the USA!!

[@richardkatzman1215]

Don, I was watching this video again and I had the same problem two weeks ago with the leather glue not bonding with the other leather part. I roughed up both pieces of the leather with a higher course sandpaper or roughing tool until I had the nap of the leather standing up better. Then I used Barge Rubber Cement. No problems it stuck very well. For some reason the leather finish wouldn’t take the glue.

[@SCOR1PI2ON3]

Сколько вложено труда!И КАКОГО труда!Так все четко,точно совпадает.А какое тиснение!!!!!!!!!!!Это просто невероятно!

[@geraldinerice5371]

I want one. I don't want the pattern pack, I want the bag. It's beautiful. I need one about 5x bigger. I would take one of yours any day over , Gucci, Versace or any designer no question.

[@406Montana]

I love watching our videos. You sir are an amazing artist.

[@darrenwilliams1798]

Love your work. Your background music sounds a lot like Jimbo’s Garage.

[@kathispoon2573]

LOVE THE BAG, I wish I could be mentored by someone with your knowledge and skill.

[@kionaking1569]

I am happy you sowed it. Women like it stitched well. Women prefer stitched over glue I always closely look at the stitching and pull on it to see how well it's stitched and if it will last. ( Don't try to cut corners when your dealing with women's purses. I love the pattern on the front and how precise you are. Looks good

[@maknifeandrods7701]

I want to say thank you. I have glued only one coat for ever and see how you use glue with saddles and this purse and I need to step up my game. Again thanks

[@kionaking1569]

I love the strap, a belt strap would be good because it's adjustable. The rings I would like smaller. The purse is pretty especially the front buckle. We put all pockets and stuff inside so you need lighter fabric for the inside lining and pockets. That definitely needs to be sewed. The chap leather is fine like you said over time it will break in. You just have to take your time molding it or you could have stretched it a little to thin it. I'm old fashion, chap leather is thick and good quality it will last long. Overall, good job!! I have 50 purses at my house.

[@mamabearsleatherworks3546]

Love it Don! Awesome as usual! I'll be heading over to get the pattern pack!

[@raylt7]

Awesome work and instruction - THANK YOU!!!

[@PriceReynoldsMaker]

You are an excellent teacher. Thank you

[@jeffro.]

Don, I do like the way you did the straps! They look like regular rings, but I'm always a proponent of being able to get loose from any kind of strap like that in an emergency, I guess I've seen too many results where the person couldn't. Having the ability to take them loose quickly if you need to is great, yet they still look great. To the unknowing person (like a purse snatcher), they probably wouldn't know about that, so they'd just try to pull it away, which of course, they couldn't! Love the design of the whole purse, and I think I'll go with some of your suggested mods.

[@EnoughAlready]

Just got the pattern pack - can't wait to start on this one. Really love all the tooling options you've included with the pattern. Thanks Don!

[@lesharp5748]

Great work as always, I love to watch you work gives me ideas fro some of mine . Thank you .

[@SouthbayCreations]

Awesome video Don!! Thanks for sharing it. I’ll definitely buy the pattern pack to give you guys some support! Thank you again and the new shop looks fantastic!! -Jason

[@valeriegarduno5536]

absolutely beautiful!!!!!

[@JPP308]

Answered my questions on gussets for the set of saddle bags I'm making. Great videos! Keep them coming!

[@tinoyb9294]

Fabulous as usual! Still learning to go easy on the ceeement.

[@ryanh6081]

Great video and I'll be buying the pattern pack. Thank you! Will probably adjust the inside for ccw option as several family member have asked for.

[@CantrellLeatherGoods]

Another fantastic video! I’m obsessed with your channel. You are such a talented craftsman.

[@gibsonleather5835]

Just bought the ePattern pack for this. Outstanding. I've got a half-dozen probably, and every one is handy and "doable." Of course, the accompanying video's a hit, too. Well done, Don. Again.

[@robertdikes7722]

Very, very nice job on the bag and the video! You are a great teacher!

[@masterhelijettester]

Awesome. Hope y’all are enjoying the Moulton and Gonzales area.

[@tomkilcullen5421]

Hope new shop is going well. Nice tutorial Don. My new class 4 Cobra is awesome. Nice purse and yes I would entertain your changes in that purse. Blessings on you,your family and new shop. Stay safe and healthy and may all the loops you cast always make you proud.

[@billmccaffrey1977]

Great project. I will knock you for showing a chair with a frazzled cushion cover in a leather shop. Certainly you have some scrap for that. All in fun.

[@jimhuskins8506]

Please do a video on making saddlebags.

[@joseLOGAN]

Hi Master! Great job and...Great Video (thanks). The rings remind me of horses bites and the leash to the reins.....And like it!! ( I don't know if it is written like that, I don't speak English)

[@jbman413]

Nice

[@hogger9251]

interested in part numbers for your leather cutting tool, grommet p/n's, ring p/n's...beautiful purse, got your pattern ...also would like ideas for a magnetic snap and an adjustable strap. Thanx for the excellent work you do and your videos@!!!

[@andymccauley2233]

Would you do a video project on making saddle bags and have a companion pack to go with it?

[@hippyrandee]

What stitching groover is that and where can we get one!! Excellent job, as always!!

[@offairhead]

As a woman who carries cross body bags, I love everything about this except for two features. 1. The belt buckle closure. When you’re standing at the check out line in the grocery store on a Saturday afternoon with 17 people behind you and the store air conditioning not able to be felt and you just paid, the last thing you want to do is have to fidget with a buckle closure when you are trying to get out of the way so the next person can check out. Magnetic closures are the way to go. 2. The strap isn’t adjustable. Some of us are fat from birthing children or maybe even still pregnant or possibly both,... the strap definitely needs to be adjustable. I realize I can make mine however I want, but you mentioned selling these and I have a collection of cross body bags and I have passed up purchasing some beautiful ones because of one or both of these reasons. That being said, THANK YOU for filming and posting this wonder tutorial. I very much appreciate seeing how to do this!!

[@mikepower4113]

Hey Don. What an awesome job. Very talented.. in the future I would like to reach out to you for something similar. I wear a Scottish kilt. The bag I wear is called a sporran. Its worn in the front below the belt buckle with leather straps or chains with a buckle in the rear. All tooled in Celtic design. Would you be willing to do this in the future? Mike

[@codymitchell8077]

Was wondering is that a barry king edger, cool purse for the ladys

[@GottliebGoltz]

Thank You again, till You're better paid.

[@Truth1561]

I have a similar bag I bought in Spain in the 80’s ( not as beautifully tooled!) and the gusset has a couple of small pleats to help it sit neater without any bulging . Do you ever do that or is there a good reason not to? My bag is over 30 yrs old and is still in great condition- I do find it heavy due to all the layers of beautiful leather however .

[@curtisconner1620]

Where did you get the razor knife you use to cut and trim?

[@TexHoss1]

Do you sell your caps? Great video.

[@danielzamorano8887]

The kit comes with a flower pattern

[@nicholashernandez9898]

Hey Don! Where do you get your chap leather from? And where can you find some?

[@offairhead]

5:38 Did you say Dark brown fi beans pro oil dye

[@timcleveland2876]

How would I lace all this together with lace

[@Rick-hv5xc]

Dosnt olive oil turn rancid after a length of time ???

[@quixoticjedi942]

What is that blade you're using? It looks like a razor clamped in a large exacto handle.

[@blindwit]

He replied to someone else a couple hours ago. Injector blade inside of an exacto handle. (Injector blades you buy for old razors or the curved skivers)

[@craigbergsgaard]

I just have a 26, cowboy 341, actually....you think I can get through all that?

[@maximumbob350]

Great video, as always. I have just purchased the pattern pack and am unsure what the egg-shaped designs in pattern three represent, or how to go about tooling them. Are you likely to do a carving tutorial for this sort of pattern, or do you know where I could find a picture of a completed one, please?

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

Thank you so much! They are prickly pear cactus. I will try to do a tooling series video on those in particular soon!

[@maximumbob350]

@@DonGonzalesMaker That's brilliant; thanks very much.

[@ernielopezjr3203]

How do I get a pattern pack

[@Collinsfamilylights]

How much would a bag like this sell for?

[@michelleharder2552]

I used the purchased pattern and my gusset ended up too short. Noted for the next one.

[@tobykirkwood9893]

What edger are you using?

[@mamabearsleatherworks3546]

Looks like a Ron's edger

[@DonGonzalesMaker]

It’s a Ron’s edger... I like them a lot!

[@tobykirkwood9893]

Don Gonzales Montana or round? And what side do you use for belts and bags? Thanks

[@timcleveland2876]

Can you lace this pattern?

[@timcleveland2876]

I got the package of patterns from you

[@markweron7667]

That is a beautiful project... but your high level of skill has much to do with that.