Perfect Tote Pattern Every Time: Design Your Own Bag with CONFIDENCE!

We all want to make that leather tote bag, but where do you even start? After watching this 9-minute tutorial (divided into chapters for quick reference), you will be fully equipped to make a great pattern for your custom tote bag of any size! This video includes tips for choosing the dimensions of your bag, laying out the handles, and even a couple bonus ideas about how to make more efficient use of your leather. If you've been wanting to try a tote bag but needed a nudge, I hope this helps! And be sure to watch the follow up video where we actually make the bag!

Have fun!
-Tanner

0:00 Intro
0:35 Choose your dimensions
1:48 Discussion of seam allowance
2:20 Draw the base of the bag ("The Floor")
3:06 Find the length of the "wings"
4:16 Draw the main body of the bag
6:14 Plan the handles
7:07 Ways to maximize your material
8:35 Closing thoughts and gratitude

[williamhand-uq]

By far one of the most helpful videos ive ever seen of explaining folds and cuts and the WHY and the HOW of the math.

[ahmedhesham]

U r one of the most honest leather crafter in this world .. u realy spread secrets

[AtelierShiShi]

The best tutorial .. nobody explains this way ..thank you ❤

[matthewcellar]

I know you haven't posted a video in years but I hope you know how helpful you are with the videos you make. I only recently got into leathercraft and I made a tote for my wife following your videos. I must have watched them a dozen times while working on it, but now she uses it every day! Thank you for all your care and instruction!

[viewerPluisje]

Thank you so much for your videos. I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to make these videos, even if they don't have a lot of traction right now. I really like how you're explaining everything in a clear and simple manner, makes things a lot more accessible for newbies like us. Also want to call out your positive demeanor, happy to learn from someone who's such a positive person!

[jamesbuchanan]

So pleased to see a simple explanation of how to do this tote bag pattern for those just coming in to this craft!

Since I do all hand stitching, it is advantageous to do an exact accounting on the number of stitches/holes, for one thing such that the "barn door" holes match up one-for-one with where they need to meet up with the bottom. I have found that a 5 mm (Japanese) pricking iron with six points is exceptionally close to 1 inch between the outer tine's points, with basically one-fifth of an inch from each point to adjacent point. (A fifth of an inch is actually 5.08 mm, not 5 mm, but for leather work this is definitely close enough!) All this leads to it being convenient to work in fifths of an inch, rather than quarters of an inch, etc...

[leatherbydragonfly]

Totes are fun to make and are great for being creative. But fashion items can be a tough sell. Most woman are brand loyal. Solid information Tanner and easily followed by your new followers. I think the explanation of how and why we do certain processes is overlooked in most videos. You did an outstanding video. A job well done. Keep up the good work.
Breaking up the pattern allows you to maximize leather and and some creative contrast with color or texture. I personally like to use one piece but sometimes the hide dictates what you can use.

[bbrachman]

Learned a new term that I did not know before. Drop. The distance from the shoulder to the top of the bag. Excellent!!!

[cynthiacatnott]

Thanks for the inches measurements...lol.Very straight forward. I am very grateful since I had problems deciding on measurements.

[williamhershey]

I'm wanting corner seams because I typically use tote bags for my library and bookstore visits. I think that I can figure this out though by modifying your technique. One thing that I've been doing with my cheaper grocery store totes is to cut a foam core or wood base to fit the bottom of the bag. It protects books from getting bent.

[meangreanbean]

your teaching has helped me learn so much and grow in the craft. I cant tell you how much youre appreciated

[virtusleather]

Just awesome Tanner! Working at night like the rest of us leather dads with small kids 😂. Keep up the great work brother! 👍🏻🇺🇸🇨🇦.

[iskoleather]

This video really is amazing, you can add all your bells and whistles after, but just to give us the base template to create tote bags will save me so much money on templates

[czarmainedatiles]

You have explained very well!

Would love a tutorial please on how to do the rolled edge + zipper attachment 😊

[noellehaland]

Fantastic, clear explanations for my geometry-poor brain - thank you! Definitely the best instructions I've found so far.

[indigoglass]

Great explanation. Thank you for including the section on how to break the pattern down to maximize your leather use.

[arebuwewithsir_chiloane]

amazing and simple to understand... thank u sire

[Jamie-kee]

Definitely help me break the ice! Thank🙋🏼‍♀️

[dannymarkgraf]

very helpful video. you are a great teacher

[dmack]

These are better than HGTV productions. Very impressive, great job.