Making a Leather Tote Bag

[@MichiganSilverBack]

This is friggin fabulouso!!!! Iam new to making leather crafts, I'VE been lucky and fairly successful so far. I told all my kids they were getting hand made gifts for Christmas. Well, as luck would have it, one of my daughters says "I want a cognac back pack that has tote style carry handles"... And I have been like "how bout a knife sheath".. lol, until THIS! THIS IS BY FAR, one of the simplest well made tutorials I have found. Thankyou!!! (Btw, I buy all my stuff from Weaver, thankyou all).

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you so much, that means a lot! We hope the bag turns out great for you!

[@tom957a]

This is one of the best leather tutorials I've seen. I've been wanting to make a tote bag, and this made it look very doable.

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you so much!

[@theinvisiblequeen]

It is easy. Go for it. I love this pattern.

[@kyrakamiel1794]

I totally agree. A beautiful bag and looks very doable.

[@omskariyazmaraikayer913]

it look so simple when you do it . But the outcome was fantastic. I realize at the end of it that it is the hands of the experts who make things look so simple . keep up the the good work lady . Respects.

[@calvinmartinstevens]

This wasn't the style I was looking for so I _almost_ passed it by... I'm so glad I watched it! High quality work, easy to follow, and I learned a few new things. Great work!

[@markcarey5673]

I thought the same thing when I first saw it. But since then I have used this basic design and modified it in a number of ways to make a lot of unique looking bags.

[@dave131]

A nice bag, with no skiving !!! lol I'm diggin' it ! Thanks for posting.

[@MultiCaro2011]

Wow! Wish i could own all the tools to make this leather bag! Nice tutorial and well explained! Thank you!! ❤

[@dannymarkgraf34]

great video. i am glad you showed it being hand stitched. i do only hand stitching and have been intimidated trying to tackle this, but your video took the intimidation out of it. thank you.

[@SwordInc.]

Nicely done. I think I am going to make one for my wife as a birthday present.

[@rodjones8930]

Iv made three tote bags for my daughters, but this bag is so much better, I’ll make it for my wife for sure, thanks for sharing

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you, Rod!

[@sunshinepatsoph4219]

I love the easy way to explain.

[@danielirvine7468]

Inspiring thank you I want to make this for my wife Love the colour of this too And love all you great new tools

[@valeriecyr2591]

This is the best video I have found to make my leather bag!! Thank you!!!

[@jordanwhite5470]

Loved watching the work with copper rivets!

[@406Montana]

This was an excellent video. I make totes all the time and I still learned something. I look forward to more of the same. Thanks again.

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you, Dan!

[@davidphillips6571]

I only recently found this channel and I have to say that I really like watching you work with the leather. I find it interesting and informative.

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you, David!

[@shanecarty3001]

Very informative. Thank you for this video. I like your leather colour choices!

[@martinlavoie4002]

Nice video I took all of the valuable info to make a great tan suede tote bag for my wife. I don’t want to toot my own horn but it turned out amazing. I used some gator skin handles and made 4 pockets 3 inside and one outside. I also used my Singer heavy duty sewing machine and put on a decorative style stitch to give it some character. Anyhow just a great video. I like how you gave me dimensions

[@tamarawilliams4]

Weaver Leather, you are awesome! Quick responses and so helpful!

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you so much!

[@imabelle45]

It's one of the best tutorials for begginers I have ever seen. Thank you very much for your job and for sharing.

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you so much, Edith!

[@merryds5445]

Excelente tutorial y q gran confianza para realizar el proyecto mil gracias ,en verdad tener todos las herramientas es muy importante para incentivar el gran propósito de realizar este lindo proyecto y otros más , mil gracias por compartirlo con todos ,en verdad espero comprar lo indispensable sobre las herramientas y así poder realizar cualquier otro gran imaginación sobre este magnífico arte d hacer lindos carteras y bolsones . Mil gracias y tenga muchas bendiciones . , Desde Perú .

[@marshagarcia4110]

Beautiful. Very well crafted

[@richcox4001]

Thanks for the great video. Made my first tote bag after watching it.

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

That's great to hear - thank you so much!

[@hanzketchup859]

Great bag , very good looking and practical . Cheers !

[@voodoowarrior7457]

I like that you used a leather disk on the copper rivets.

[@CMRLeatherworks]

Cool stuff! I will definitely give this a go. Just need to get the rivet tools and I‘m good to go.

[@EmperorProtects4848]

Well made and explained, thank you! Used this method to make totes before but it's the small details and touches you add which make this even better.

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you, Florian!

[@ChucklesKeys]

Nice looking bag

[@JoFrostleatherwork]

Great video! I learned a couple of things from you and will utilize on my next project

[@satterwc]

Hey, wait a minute... you aren't Chuck! 😉 Nicely done and easy to follow along!

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you! 😁

[@jaredk6428]

I feel like an idiot for never thinking to put non slip on the back of my ruler. Mind blown. Thanks for the tip and inspiration

[@danpost4755]

Nice project! I plan to make one of these for my daughter in law soon.

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you, Dan!

[@tonyemariacollections9462]

This is awesome 😎. One of the best leather lecturers

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you so much!

[@bw3765-i5z]

Awesome job

[@drock6335]

Thanks for taking your time to teach the best way to make a tote bag. I enjoyed your video thank you. I will be making one😎🤙🤙

[@stevemalone2010]

Well done, definitely my next project

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you, Steve!

[@fardareismaigrandma6825]

Love the video. I've been meaning to make a tote bag for my daughter. Now I no longer have an excuse to put it off!

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

That's awesome - have fun with it!

[@ArcticCustomProps]

Great video! Very nicely explained and demonstrated. I am finding myself with lots of time on my hands these days. Maybe I'll make one.

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you! You’ll have to let us know how it turns out!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome job, it turned out great! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@redbonegirl1757]

what is that beautiful nail color you are wearing? the bag is nice too!!!

[@marshahilton200]

I'm ready to make a bag now!

[@rhino159]

Awesome job, I must have watched this video 20 times you’re amazing

[@katiacardoso]

Excellent job 👏👏👏👏

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you 🙌🏻

[@noelialliuya1204]

wuaooo beautiful. I loved!

[@catherinecruz3308]

i loved it! you made it look so easy :D

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you, Catherine!

[@mariabooth8104]

Awesome video. It's all in having the right tools though. I'm sure it's not as easy as you make it look LOL. Thanks and please keep them coming.

[@elund408]

except for the large rivet setter(and there are less expensive tools for this) these are all basic hand tools if your careful cutting, take your time, and practice on a scrap before trying anything your not sure of. you can do this easily in an evening or two.

[@mariabooth8104]

@@elund408 Thanks for your input Eric. Much appreciated. Started looking at prices for some of these tools. I have some but never attempted working with leather so I have to start collecting the tools first a few at a time. Will start with some leather scraps as you suggested.

[@elund408]

@@mariabooth8104 you can do with out the stitching pony, it makes it easier but not necessary. a yard stick, stitching punch, needle thread and a good sharp knife will allow you to do many projects. you can buy make or improvise tools as you need them.

[@rugger8787]

Maria Booth i use hobby lobby for my tools they are not that great but work and cheaper then the pro tools from weaver

[@iyaboaseperi7718]

😍 Wow 👏👏 , great work nice 👍

[@minerblue9641]

I got wet glue in my (cheap) hole puncher for stitching. I didn't use it again for about 3 days. When I started punching holes for another stitch line the hole puncher split open because the glue prevented the leather inside the hole punch to move up and out.

[@JamesStreetStation]

Excellent video!

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you so much!

[@bijasatterlee5725]

Great tutorial. What a quality bag. I'm wondering what you would sell a handmade bag like that for? Hand stitching and copper rivets make it so much more valuable I think.

[@HH-iv6mf]

I want that Bag ❤

[@AS-ng5pi]

Gorgeous! And the bag looks good, too. ;)

[@dillotexan]

Nice work... Thanks!

[@michelleblondet5241]

Beautiful ❤️

[@lorrainesmith4074]

Beautiful bag 👍

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you so much 😊

[@marlonvidartediccion9054]

Lo mejor que han hecho!

[@Spain42]

Any recommendations for a kit of all the tools needed

[@SuperCrazymonkey8]

She said she used a #0 edger for the straps, but it sure seemed like it took off a lot of material. Did she use something more like a #2 edger?

[@simut10]

Nice Job, love the fact that she explain every step clearly and softly, do you have this pattern for sale?? Thanks again

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thanks so much! The pattern will be available soon!

[@relissaclark1350]

Beautiful bag! What size copper burrs did you use?

[@billrochelle8536]

very nice bag

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thank you, Bill!

[@gunnerdawson1154]

Job well done. I like the Angel you have, does weaver sale it?

[@jeffro.]

I notice you didn't skyve the leather before you folded & glued the edge. That would make it lay flatter.

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Great tip! Thank you for watching our video.

[@AdamsLeatherWorks]

Great project! I need to buy an anvil to help set rivets. Do you have a video featuring that Heritage® Harnessmaker's Combination Anvil?

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Thanks so much! We don't have a video for the anvil but that's a great idea - it's a really cool tool to have in the shop!

[@normacastillogomez2591]

Thank you!

[@laura-leemurphyuta78]

I LOVE IT!

[@kar871]

Amazing

[@V3leathercraft]

Opinion needed : how about suede as lining to wax rich veg tanned leather for tote bag.?

[@tasha8591]

I've probably watched and re-watched this video 50 times and it wasn't until I actually sat down to make one that I really appreciated the grip this lady must have! Holy crap I'm struggling to cut the excess rivets off; I feel like I have baby hands :'(

[@tasha8591]

@@Daniel.G_63 as it turned out, my rivets were brass AND probably thicker so I'm not *quite* as baby hands as I thought. I'll definitely check out the nippers you recommended to save my hands in the future!

[@ElliottRodgers]

I wonder if this could be adapted so instead of a big bit of leather it used samples and offcuts. So it was a patchwork effect?

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Hi Elliot, I don't see why you couldn't. It would just have to be pretty thin leather because of all the seams it would create. You would just have to sew enough scraps together to get to the size bag you want and then cut to shape and stitch the bag together.

[@MarilynDIAZDESIGNS]

Love this!

[@vitobor1]

Yes, a great lesson and work =)

[@wyattolsen7562]

What are the advantages of the solid copper rivet over a double cap rivet?

[@joemanthei695]

No response. Wonder why?

[@lindaturell1114]

Please explain what you used to attach the handle and how you did it.

[@sylvi6494]

Where can I buy your products, it’s a gorgeous bag

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Hi there, Thank you so much! We sell all of the materials used to make the bag, but we don't sell the finished product. If you're interested in making your own you can click the link in the video description for a list of everything used!

[@jenkins1979]

I didn't hear what weight leather was used for handles on bag.Thank you

[@Brie2010ification]

great tutorial! can this be competed without the expensive tool? that rivet machine?

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Yes, absolutely! Here is a link to a hand setter that will set the 104 rivets that were set by the Little Wonder machine... www.weaverleathersupply.com/catalog/item-detail/65-2444/heritage-simplex-riveter/pr_8591/cp_/shop-now/hand-tools/work-surfaces-setters/setters

[@emiliatsuchiya3683]

Thanks for sharing

[@jake210c]

Great and simple tutorial, i will have to make one for my girlfriend! Thanks!

[@LaxmanMahato]

this bag has how much waste?

[@polybaroi3701]

Nice

[@relissaclark1350]

Would this turn out well if I used suede material instead of the 3/4oz leather?

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Yes, absolutely! Suede would make a beautiful bag!

[@dawnlathrop4238]

What is the hard surface that you use under the leather? Is that some kind of stone or countertop piece?

[@yotam1941]

Great video!! I like this style of videos! Can you write what the measurement of the pockets please??🙏🏼

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Yes, sorry about that! The outside pocket is 10” wide x 9” high and the inside pocket is 14” high x 10” wide and then folded up.

[@yotam1941]

@@WeaverLeatherSupply Great! Thanks!

[@irislarocque3932]

Thank you It would be nice if you also showed the interior pocket when finished

[@Jojosbags3840]

How would you set the rivets/burrs if the rivet setter is out of stock?

[@portojardinagem]

Amazing!😍

[@markolson7877]

Great video!!! Beautiful bag!!! I'd like to make one for a customer, but she has requested that the bottom be 5"-6" wide...What size "cut-out" or gusset would I have to make to accommodate that bottom width??

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Hi Mark, You would want the cutout to be about 6" x 3.5" on either side to create a 5-1/2" base.

[@markolson7877]

@@WeaverLeatherSupply Thank you so much!!

[@tmarus]

How do you calculate this??

[@christopherleblanc5187]

Where can we get the pattern for this? On the website I thought the pattern sheet was the actual pattern but it's just the material to make your own. Please advise.

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

We didn’t make a pattern since it’s basically a rectangle but the measurements are 18” wide x 32” long. The outside pocket is 10” wide x 9” high and the inside pocket is 14” high x 10” wide. Hope that helps!

[@wildmadenc5804]

@@WeaverLeatherSupply what about the size of the cut outs that make the base of the bag? Do they have to be a specific size or scale relative to the size of the main piece? Thanks for posting, you guys are awesome!

[@helenstrub]

@@wildmadenc5804 The cutouts are 2.5" x 4"

[@TheHsallaway]

Do we add seam allowances to these measurements or are they included... is that even a thing with leather like fabric?

[@andreagottfried8945]

Great tutorial! It made me order the leather from you guys and I am working on the tote. I have one problem with the brass rivets - I can't cut the brass stud. I have tried 3 different kind of cutters and none will do the job. Is there something else I can use to trim them? I thought about taking an ax to it lol... Thanks for any advice.

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Hi Andrea, Brass rivets are tough, I'm sorry you're having trouble with them! The longer the handles on your cutting nipper are, the better. That will give you more leverage. You should be able to find these at a hardware store or we'll link the ones we sell below: www.weaverleathersupply.com/catalog/item-detail/65710-14/14-end-nipper/pr_61842

[@andreagottfried8945]

@@WeaverLeatherSupply Thank you, I shall keep on trying :)

[@andreagottfried8945]

@@WeaverLeatherSupply I purchased the 14" nipper from you guys and I was able to cut the copper rivets:)

[@jorgesxbass7606]

Yep NICE JOB Cool, sorry I don't understand 100% English, but what i wanted to know, what was the fabric you used in the bag? it was cotton canvas and what was the weight? I'm in europe ok

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Hi there, The bag is made from 3 - 4 oz. leather. We'll link it here: www.weaverleathersupply.com/catalog/item-detail/09-1083s-c7/redrock-waxy-pull-up-leather-/pr_59481

[@jorgesxbass7606]

@@WeaverLeatherSupply Thanks. Greetings from Portugal. Congratulations !!!! WoooHooooo

[@koala99-claws]

It looks good. I used the supplied URL, but it didn't take me to the tools and materials. I even did a Search after I got to the Weaver site. Help?

[@rosewink3299]

Really dumb question - can you use faux leather for pockets?

[@handmade-leather]

Отличная работа. Спасибо за мастер-класс.

[@tylergordon696]

So about how many bags could you make out of the piece of leather you would buy to build this?

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

HI Tyler, It depends a little bit on the shape of the hide but for this size bag you could probably get 3 bags out of a hide.

[@tylergordon696]

So roughly $40 a bag to produce. Thats not terrible.

[@alessiocivilini2564]

Hi, very beautifull tutorial!! Could you tell me the measurements of the 3 rectangles you used? Thank you

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Hi Alessio! Thanks so much! The main body is 18" x 32", the inside pocket is 10" x 14" and the outside pocket is 9" x 10".

[@amrlabib557]

wonderful work but i have a question for you: why can t we use a sweing machine for faster work ?? ps i need answer. thank you

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Hi there, You can absolutely use a sewing machine for this bag - we just hand stitched in this tutorial because a lot of people don't have a sewing machine.

[@amrlabib557]

@@WeaverLeatherSupply thank you very much for your answer

[@amrlabib557]

hi can we add a lining peace inside ?

[@GS-st9ns]

I've been making my own tote bag since high school, but I have never had the pleasure of seeing a leather one made. Where does one get such fabric

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Hi there, The leather used in the video can be found on our website - we'll link it below! It's the smokey gray color. www.weaverleathersupply.com/catalog/item-detail/09-1083s-c7/redrock-waxy-pull-up-leather/pr_59481

[@anumatibeauty9110]

Do you sell these bags?? I love the soft leather!

[@kdpuffer1]

Am I the only one who caught that she explained how to gauge the thread length and she totally cut it short? 4:57 you can clearly see the knot on the short thread. When I hand stitch I always go 4x. Regardless this is a nice pattern and I'm in the middle of making it for my wife.

[@eugenethomas4647]

Just curious what the weight was of this particular leather? If you mentioned it in the video, I must have missed it.

[@indigoglass6638]

Bill Barfett I believe she said 3-4 oz

[@WeaverLeatherSupply]

Yes, 3/4 oz. Thank you, Indigo Glass!