Making a leather tote bag - with commentary

This leather tote-bag (or tote bag) is made out of 1,4mm thick vegetable tanned (or vegtan) leather that I dye by hand using Fiebing's Oil Dye (aka Pro dye) in brown.
All pieces are saddle-stitched by hand.

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I make leather products in my spare time, mostly bags, backpacks and small items like wallets and card-holders. I am still learning a ton every time I take on a new project and always appreciate feedback on my creations.
For the moment I don't take orders as I like to spend too many hours getting the finished product as good as I can : this means that if I were to sell these bags, the selling price would be way more than the bags are worth due to the hours of work involved.

As always, do let me know what you think of this creation and this video. If you have any tips or comments about the techniques used, please let me know by dropping a comment below this video :)

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► Music Credit: LAKEY INSPIRED
Track Name: "*INSERT TRACK NAME HERE*"
License for commercial use: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported "Share Alike" (CC BY-SA 3.0) License.

– ♪♫ Artists' Credit & Links ♫♪ –

► Music by: LAKEY INSPIRED

► Background Credit: The Free Stock Video Footage featured in this video was filmed by Robert Martin & Nick Farley @ NCM

[CantrellLeatherGoods]

Vey elegant looking. I like the dying technique. It really adds interest. That shape is very cool. You are one of my favorite channels. Thank you for being humble and charming.
Oh, and your makers mark turned out really nice, makes the bag look high end. How cool that you father made that.

[Ninjadoc]

hey i’ve got the same swann morton scalpel! i use it all the time and blades are cheap and sharp as hell! great bag, i also loved your video about home made leather wax, made a batch right after watching it! :)

[gypsycruiser]

Love the base shape, the opening is restricted could do with a gusset design, the straps are not secure enough .. either more stitching and wider ends or double round rivets .. liked the way you treated the raw hide prior to shaping !

[JulieHiltbrunner]

Gorgeous and lovely light in the video!

[gypsycruiser]

Not a compass : it’s a divider, great video and informative commentary .. thank you for sharing your skill and knowledge!

[pamelagahan]

What is the board you use to work on made from. The block you use when you hammer the holes please

[airnashville]

I like it. Nice clean traditional design, almost Italian in ways. Maybe make the handles/straps a bit wider? They seem a bit dainty compared with the bag.

[iancarroll]

Hi, great looking bag. Did you consider overlapping the two main panels to make the bottom flat? And how did the bag sit on the floor? Cheers

[PavlikLuxe]

What oil do you use with bee’s wax for your leather wax?

[loishunt]

Love your videos! Like the bag.. You asked us for out input….as a female, like the size, would not like the bottom as it will not stand upright. Would have changed the bottom, also would be good to have just one small pocket either inside or out. Closure? Fold over strap? With a buckle? I would love to see this in black and white. Black stitching on white leather with the edges black and the handles black. Also can you do a woven leather bag? Super popular right now and would be fun to make!! Keep making videos! They are wonderful!

[clefvan]

Nice work! I would widen the straps. I don't know if this design is meant to be hanged or carried all the time. But I think it would be practical if the bag can stand on its own even when empty.

[Anteroization]

adorable and useful, I wish i could make one in 12 minutes 56 seconds like you ! can take me 3 days those labors of love.

[Futwea]

Nice bag, please what stamp machine did you use, What is it called? Is there a link?

[kentgordner]

Hello! The lines on this handbag are elegant & modern. You definitely have an excellent eye for design. Did you create a template & a mock up model before the finished piece? I have seen simple square cutouts for the bottom on bags, but really like the shaping created by your cutout. Can you tell me how to calculate for the cutout you used & for future bottoms with this type of design? Thank you for taking the time to do this video & for all of your advice on leather prep. Grateful, Kent.

[ryanrobicheaux]

Does it stand up with that ridge down the bottom? Seems like seeing from the inside and flipping it would've made the bottom flatter

[shimaahassan]

Hi can I ask about the measure of the corners plz

[peterramlogan]

What kind of pricking irons are you using?

[wendylevin-shaw]

I live the bag, James. The dyeing and using the oil & bees wax mixture is a wonderful idea. I want to make a similar bag but I need to know an approximate measure of the 2 triangles that you cut out. Can you send me some numbers. Thanks.
Eddie

[faizalpulickool]

I love working with leather. now i am really mad about leather products. yes i want to learn how to work on leather

[staceyfacey]

Would you mind sharing the measurements you use for cutting in the corners? thanks!