Slouchy Leather Bag

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• Step 1

  First, a quick crash course on working with leather:
  ● Leather is sold in pieces, not by yardage. Make sure you purchase a piece that is big enough for the tote bag. Leather also comes in different thicknesses and types; I would recommend a lighter weight to accommodate a regular domestic sewing machine.
  ● Use a Teflon foot or a walking foot when you are sewing with leather.
  ● Leather is like skin: Once you stitch, the hole is permanent. Check it once, check it twice, then stitch. Try to avoid mistakes as much as possible.
  ● Don’t use pins. If needed, use paper clips to help secure leather pieces together while sewing.
  ● Don’t backstitch to secure stitches. Tie the loose thread into knots instead.
  ● Use a Leather sewing machine needle.
  ● Use Nylon thread, since it is stronger than regular polyester kinds.
  ● Leather has no grain line; Feel free to cut the pattern on the leather in a way that best utilizes the piece.
  ● Use a larger stitch length when sewing leather.
  ● Do not use the iron to press your leather!
  ● Use Glover needles for hand sewing.
  ● When cutting the leather, trace the pattern shape on the wrong side of the leather, then cut. Remember not to pin.
  ● Always test-sew on a piece of scrap first before sewing the real thing. You may have to adjust your machine tension. Every machine sews differently with leather, unless you are using a industrial sewing machine.
  ● If your machine is not sewing friendly with leather, your alternate option is hand sewing. Use an Awl to puncture a hole through the leather first, then use a back stitch method to stitch the tote bag.

• Step 2

  Tools you will need:
  ● Leather glue or leather tape
  ● Leather sewing machine needles
  ● Hand sewing needle – glover needles
  ● Nylon thread
  ● Pliers
  ● Thimble
  ● Teflon foot or walking foot
  ● An awl
  ● Sewing machine
  ● Mallet
  ● Sharp scissors or rotary cutter

• Step 3

  Materials you will need:
  ● 1 large piece of soft leather, light weight. Make sure it’s big enough to cut out the tote bag. Any color of your choice.
  ● ¾ yard of cotton twill. This fabric is for the tote bag handle, so choose the heavier weight. Contrast color is a good idea for aesthetic purposes

• 

  Step 4

  Step 1: Stitch the tote bag front and back together.
  ● With the right sides of the leather facing, stitch the three sides together.
  ● To secure the thread, knot the two thread ends together

• 

  Step 5

  ● Apply the glue tape to the wrong side of the seam allowance.

• 

  Step 6

  ● Peel off the paper, then press the seam allowance flat and let the glue tape hold it in place. Use a mallet to flatten and reinforce the seam.

• 

  Step 7

  ● With the right sides of the leather facing, fold the corners as in picture, with the two seams matched up.

• 

  Step 8

  Since this might be too thick for the sewing machine, I would recommend you stitch this little section by hand. Use an awl to puncture the hold first, then insert the sewing needle through. Make sure you use a strong stitch (like a backstitch) to secure the seams.

• 

  Step 9

  make straps
  ● Fold the fabric strap in half with the right sides of the fabric facing. Stitch. Leave an opening in the centre.

• 

  Step 10

  ● Turn inside out. Close up the opening with stitches.

• 

  Step 11

  Stitch the straps to the tote bag.

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