What is the Best Way to stitch Hand Bag at Home?

[Shelby33]

This is the latest bag I made from scratch- leather from stripping a discarded armchair and shearling from shortening a coat.
Unfortunately I haven't worn it yet. The shearling doesn't go with any of my winter coats.

View attachment 6146549View attachment 6146550View attachment 6146551View attachment 6146552

This is beautiful!

 

[Mavisrandal]

Thank you all for the replies.

 

[Zandkoekje]

Hi everyone!

I’m looking to try my hand at making a handbag at home and would love some advice. What’s the best way to stitch a durable and stylish handbag? Are there specific techniques, tools, or materials you recommend for beginners? Also, if you’ve made one before, do you have any tips or patterns that worked well for you? Thanks in advance for sharing your expertise!

I started making my own leather bags. I’m taking classes with a teacher in her workshop.

This is my latest bag, a copy of Moynat’s Limousine bag. I drew the pattern myself. Fully handstitched.

It’s totally possible to do at home with a few basic hand tools.

Important thing is to use good leather and skyve it. Especially at the seams.

 

[A bottle of Red]

I started making my own leather bags. I’m taking classes with a teacher in her workshop.

This is my latest bag, a copy of Moynat’s Limousine bag. I drew the pattern myself. Fully handstitched.

It’s totally possible to do at home with a few basic hand tools.

Important thing is to use good leather and skyve it. Especially at the seams.

You did a lovely job!

 

[Zandkoekje]

You did a lovely job!

Thanks^^

 

[xohapiy]

For leather bags, it's a whole art and specialist tools. Price wise it would be easier to buy a great bag pre-loved.

My mother used to make tote bags from leftover fabric from her dressmaking and other projects.. Narrow ones to carry water bottles separately or rectangular for shopping. This was at a time when no-one did them commercially.

Two points I remember:

1. The stress-points are the handles. Consider reinforcing them and the body by going around the entire bag (like an Hermes GP).

2. It's easier to make the body inside out, and if you're looking for guidance or troubleshooting help, resources like https://poshmark.pissedconsumer.com/customer-service.html can offer insights. Overlocking the seams helps protect the stitching that does all the work.

Start with sturdy fabric like canvas or faux leather and use heavy-duty thread. A walking foot on your sewing machine helps with thick layers. Reinforce stress points with backstitching. For structure, add an interfacing or stabilizer. Try a simple tote pattern to begin with. Many free ones are online. Use clips instead of pins if working with leather.