Leather Tote with Jimmy DiResta | Build It | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House host Kevin O’Connor meets maker Jimmy DiResta at his new workshop to take on a simple leather working project that anyone can tackle.
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It’s been a few years since the Ask This Old House team and Jimmy DiResta worked together. Host Kevin O’Connor ended the drought by heading up to Jimmy’s Upstate NY workshop to catch up. Jimmy gave him a tour of the new space while he was there, but he also helped Kevin expand his skillset by teaching him how to make a leather tote bag. Here’s how they did it.
Time: One day
Cost: Around $200 (including leather and tools)
Difficulty: 2/5
Where to find it?
Jimmy traces out the shape of the leather fabric using an awl [homedepot.sjv....]. Then, he cuts it out with a razor blade [homedepot.sjv....] and a ruler [homedepot.sjv....] to keep the cutting line straight. Then, he uses a rubber mallet [homedepot.sjv....] to help shape the folds of the bag.
To stitch the bag, Jimmy uses a fork punch [amzn.to/3Od5xSR] to poke holes in all the sections of the bag: two sides and the bottom. He then stitches the leather using a needle and leather sewing thread [amzn.to/48VIvrA], going in a crisscross pattern through each hole. To ensure the stitching won’t come undone, Jimmy applies a bead of PVA glue [amzn.to/3tTi7jm] to the bottom stitch on each side of the bag.
Jimmy applies a small amount of leather edge finish [amzn.to/47UwMZy] manufactured by Fiebing’s [fiebing.com/pr...] to finish the edge. To secure the handles, Jimmy secures them with saddle rivets [amzn.to/47QIqnY].
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Materials:
Leather hide [amzn.to/3SrWY9k]
Large sheet of thick paper [amzn.to/3OegCmw]
Waxed string and leather needles [amzn.to/48VIvrA]
PVA glue [amzn.to/3tTi7jm]
Rivets [amzn.to/47QIqnY]
Edge Kote leather edge finish [amzn.to/47UwMZy]
Tools:
Fine marker or scratch awl [homedepot.sjv....]
Razor knife [homedepot.sjv....]
Steel straight edge or ruler [homedepot.sjv....]
Dividers [homedepot.sjv....]
Mallet [homedepot.sjv....]
Leather stitching forks [amzn.to/3Od5xSR]
Skive [amzn.to/3vOD2EM]
Rivet setter [homedepot.sjv....]
Diagonal-cutting pliers [homedepot.sjv....]
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About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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Leather Tote with Jimmy DiResta | Build It | Ask This Old House
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[@Warshipmodelsunderway]

I love these segments with Jimmy DiResta! Please don't wait a couple of more years for the next one!

[@probuilder961]

I have a new found respect for Kevin O'Connor since I heard him on Mike Rowe's podcast recently. Truly a stand-up guy.

[@Captain_Wolf]

Always great to see Jimmy on the channel!

[@danthemakerman]

Its always great to see Jimmy Diresta on Ask This Old House.

[@BarlowBrigade]

I have made this remark several times on Jimmy's drops...Mr Diresta you are truly a "MASTER MAKER"!!!! this is why TOH keeps dropping in!!!!

[@billcunningham8485]

I was going to warn Kevin, the last time he and Jimmy were working together Jimmy put his “Diresta” stencil on Kevins tool bag. I had to chuckle when Jimmy once again out his name on Kevins new bag. Jimmy is a good guy, met and hung out a bit with he and his brother John in 2019 at the SEMA show. Enjoy his channel as well. I hope the Ask TOH crew enjoys working with Jimmy. Would be fun to see Jimmy on the show more often. Next up Jimmy and Richard do functional sculpture out of plumbing parts.

[@audiotechlabs4650]

I’ve followed Jimmy for a long time. He seemed relaxed enough to be on camera. If not on TOH, Jimmy gets his own PBS show! Kevin you should take your new skills for leather and make a project on TOH! Thanxz

[@markowalski1]

He's talked about declining offers for his own shows or working on other productions like Marvel stuff. He has a good thing going already

[@Danman1972]

@@markowalski1 I imagine he gets lots of offers.

[@JeffreyMoon1974]

It's always nice to see Jimmy DiResta collaborate on a project with TOH. The work he showcases on his YT channel is always great to watch, both entertaining and informative.

[@TheFishSquad]

Jimmy is legit the blue collar Tony Stark.

[@MrDfurlong]

Thanks for demonstrating the craft. I may now get into leather work

[@garthbutton699]

Jimmy's the man,thanks for the post🤗😎🤗😎

[@pavski]

Thanks for having Jimmy on. Both toh and Jimmy are an inspiration and education in every video.

[@Shawnbbeckner]

You should visit Jimmy more. He’s the stitch that bonds us all in the maker community.

[@judithward6631]

I can't stop thinking about this. Can't wait to make one. Thanks.

[@christopherdubour6662]

That Direster, a real class act! I’m watcha all his stuff!

[@TotalBoat]

Great job!! The tote turned out beautifully! 😍😍🙌🙌

[@JackmanWorks]

Hey, I recognize that guy!

[@TheHuttoFelineCatio]

🎉🎉I admit my worlds just collided - my two fav shows rolled into one. The Maker with a cat and TOH 👏👏👏DIRESTA goes leather 😻

[@413DaveRN]

Love seeing Jimmy's skills on Ask This Old House!

[@christianalvarez7799]

Love Jimmy

[@pmdinaz]

Love watching Jimmy's stream of consciousness.

[@chrisg2779]

That was really fun to watch. Never thought of making anything from leather. But now…

[@horanigans]

I'll watch anything with Jimmy

[@garynicoletti7182]

Wife loves the bag! Simple, yet elegant. Where does Jimmy get such large pieces of the leather? Amazon sells pieces that are small.

[@lagartijoazul75]

Look for the Weaver Co.

[@garynicoletti7182]

@@lagartijoazul75 Thank you for the lead! Much appreciated!😉

[@brilog69]

I love that guy!!

[@SeeMooreVids]

Caught this video on PBS. nice work.

[@jimmylovesbikes]

Jimmy is so smooth, he awesome.

[@InsipidRoustabout]

great Valentine's gift!

[@00schralf]

Oh this looks like a good project to start with leather work 👍

[@masterofnone]

Jimmy is the man!

[@MrDanyoumell]

Great video - Jimmy is the best!

[@ikust007]

2:34 love the sg. Bravo !

[@Danman1972]

You guys should do a segment on Jimmy's new place if he would let you (I know he makes content on it). He has another place he is doing on his channel. He has several videos from start to working on the basement and foundation repair. He is building it up from a wreck. Maybe just a show of what he has done so far or something when he is finished. I've watched that and followed the progress of his main property where the shop is since he moved from his shop in Manhattan.

[@---l---]

All DiResta everything

[@ddutton0]

Great episode

[@richardgarrow9260]

I like the look of the Bag it came out really nice. Leather is not that hard to work with, I would be curious to know where he got he leather from. I know here in TX there are quite a few folks who do leather works. Thanks

[@danthemakerman]

He gets his leather from Weaver Leather.

[@galhillel100]

Great content

[@TechEdFireman]

Good straight forward bag. Great Job, it was great to see you and the crew Kevin.

[@drasticmart]

Jimmy is great! Would love to see more

[@dannysantos1266]

Jimmy!

[@paulagw26]

Pattern available? TIA

[@ikust007]

Thank you !

[@GibClark]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻good stuff

[@garrett6371]

I want to see Jimmy sew a horn or a cantle binding. He'll become Rambo.

[@Shawnbbeckner]

How come you guys haven’t started a show jimmy can host. He’s known for all things making

[@GPG7754]

Jimmy is a legend

[@chestertaylor7341]

This comment is to help you beat that darned algorithm

[@dizzolve]

Where do I find leather like that

[@TechEdFireman]

This leather was from Weaver Leather.

[@degenwow]

usually on animals

[@dizzolve]

Thanks! @@TechEdFireman

[@AllanAdamson]

Made in America

[@chipsammich2078]

Need Diresta spray painted across it

[@ronevans852]

“No way,”you get to keep that bag.

[@bngr_bngr]

I would like longer handles to make it more functional.

[@TacoXL]

Oh Jimmy. You only need these tools. Proceeds to use a bunch of other tools.

[@priceandpride]

Definitely looks like a straight man design that bag

[@jarimiettinen779]

The quality of this author's craftsmanship is not enough. A lousy finish. Not for the semi-finals.

[@brianlegg6009]

He kept sayin "we" but he didn't let Kevin do much of anything. You learn by doing not watching.

[@xoxo2008oxox]

Diresta is a marketing New Yorker. He peddles his name, started that Maker's Mob that took all our favourite youtubers and made it Pay Per View, and financed his barn, that old gokart place, and much more. No, I've not met him in person, but wasn't going to pay $50 for an ice pick. Yes, I did support him early on, but then he moved outta the city to West Chester? aka Upstate NY. But he draws people in with Charisma and TOH must like him, just like Fine Home Building likes Matt Risinger. Face it, these guys want to make retirement.

[@jimmydiresta]

I didn’t star nor do I own the makerMob. I am just a paid member

[@jimmydiresta]

@@xoxo2008oxoxI live 140 miles north of NYC. Past Woodstock

[@jimmydiresta]

Yes I put my name on everything bc my content gets stolen Because it’s so good!!

[@WaterTheTree1776]

That’s a purse.

[@flyjarrett]

It’s European!

[@protectanimals9792]

Try VEGAN LEATHER it’s 10 times stronger than dead cow skin. SpaceX and Tesla use it on their seats.

[@emersongarcia7128]

And is coated in petrochemical products ie plastic

[@protectanimals9792]

@@emersongarcia7128 That would be the wrong answer. Check out Spacex & Tesla vegan leather. 🐮👍

[@branchandfoundry560]

But then when I kill my next steer for burgers & steaks, what do I do with the hide?

[@mitchdenner9743]

Nice murse.😅

[@degenwow]

nothing wrong about a murse.

[@willdogsdroid]

What are this bags pronouns?

[@degenwow]

they/them

[@peterholmes2089]

Thought this channel was about house renovation, not arts and crafts.

[@matt497]

I think the true spirit of this channel is inspiration and information.

[@ilichiregius2884]

I really never thought I'd see a troll on This Old House video.

[@peterholmes2089]

@@ilichiregius2884 Apparently letting the producer know that I dislike this content is not allowed? How are they supposed to know if they are producing content that viewers wish to see if people do not express their opinion? And then you resort to petty name calling?

[@ErinBurgin-h5h]

@@peterholmes208940 years of high ratings.

[@branchandfoundry560]

Let me run this by you. You wrapped up your home renovation. Do you buy all the furniture for it or make some of it? Now that you've watched this video, you have sufficient leather working knowledge to combine with woodworking or basic welding to make sling-back chairs, bar stools, side table magazine caddy, etc. Your friends and family are impressed and you have the satisfaction that you not only fixed up your house, but furnished it as well. And it's all because Ask TOH gave you a little something extra 🙂

[@jeffcasey7413]

What the hell has happen to this show?

[@JimDean002]

LOL I've got a friend making a ton of money every year doing leather stuff like this. When I was in junior high school they made every boy take a class called bachelor survival. We had to learn how to sew by making something from a pattern how to cook dinner how to do taxes wash clothes the whole thing. Every once in awhile I'd use something I've learned in that class but it didn't really come up in my marriage at all until one day my wife needed a Halloween costume. She was pretty surprised when the same guy that put in the crown molding and put down the hardwood floors whipped out a sewing machine she didn't know we owned and turned a blue check tablecloth into a passable Dorothy costume. You never know when you're going to need something...

[@jeffcasey7413]

I think its time to find a new Producer of the show@@JimDean002

[@jonboy8181]

Anything you learn how to make just makes you that much better as a craftsman.

[@jonboy8181]

I’ve always wanted to make my own wallet. I cut up and old leather couch years ago and saved the large pieces of leather to make stuff with. Still working up the nerve.

[@branchandfoundry560]

@@jonboy8181 Just do it! I made my own leather wallet a few years ago. Feels great to use it everyday!

[@jugglinglivebabies]

it took me years to get into leather work, because it seems so complicated and mystified. but Jimmy is 100% correct, it's only as complicated as you make it. the entry level tools you need are really minimal and inexpensive, and it only takes one project to suck you in and grab you. all you really have to do is make sure your cuts are clean and the rest kind of takes care of itself.