Making a fully lined leather handbag - full build with PDF template!

Follow the build process as I make this lady's handbag (or satchel / shoulder bag) in fully lined 2,6mm vegtan top-grain leather (1,4 and 1,2mm leathers).

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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.a
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 :)

[Blinkerdd]

I used your video as a guide to make my wife one, and I modified it a little with 2 pockets on the inside back and a few other minor changes, but it turned out AMAZING. I jokingly told my wife I'll never be able to pull that off again, so she can't mess it up or anything lol thanks for your help!!

[gypsycruiser]

What a lovely and warm commentary during the video… which was excellent to watch. Your inner layer adds class to and otherwise exceptional creation. Thank you for releasing this video.

[trainbobber]

The bag is beautiful! Thank you for sharing, great tips and insights for sure. Matter of fact, this entire video, instructions included, is a perfect example of how a craftsman is only as good as his tools! Also, your attention to detail is the difference between average and stunning, because we all know attention to detail can't be (and never is) added later! Unfortunately, that's all the clichés I have to offer, unless others would like to chime in below! Point being, it's the little things that make big things happen! Great Job!

[ejestin]

Sir, you are an artist! The pattern is priced reasonably and you instructions are very good. It is a pleasure to stand on the shoulders of craftsmen like you.
Thanks for making it achievable, well-guided and fun.

[mateihp]

I knew watching this video you made it look easy to make this bag! I printed out the template and made one myself, attaching the sides of the bag soo hard to do! Great video and really awesome bag!

[GeorgeBusche]

Love the video! I didn't realize how straightforward it would be to make a bag like this, I'm gonna try to repeat your process this weekend!

[kareece]

This is probably the best tutorial I've come across. It was so fulfilling to watch. How would the process differ for a non leather bag (in terms of lining and stitching/joining up different pieces)?

[michaels]

The tips that you share throughout the video are almost as important as the tutorial itself. Very nice bag

[anthonyricchiuti]

Outstanding workmanship, you are clearly a perfectionist.

[lucettegouneaud]

Merci pour ce travail magnifique c'est très agreable de voir des gens qui ont encore l'amour du travail bien fait 🤟

[cadribomartin]

I would appreciate it if I can get more of this educative tutorials as a lover of the leather works. I have learnt a lot. Thanks for sharing.

[johnfrederick]

Nice build! I finally saw how to do a pocket that wasn't flat. I thought it would involve a crazy angle or curve. In hindsight it wasn't that complicated. Thanks!

[brwoodlands]

Very nice, and clear explanation. Thank you for taking time to explain the finer details.

[benjaminrodriguezcruz]

Hola James Berry, estoy muy agradecido por que compartiste tu trabajo con la comunidad que te sigue, además que tus proyectos son excelentes, de calidad y en general haces un trabajo artesanal, aplicando técnicas que imagino, aprendiste durante mucho tiempo. Muchas gracias y te dejo un gran saludo.

[FelipeDelPapa]

I’m loving your videos. So well explained, detailed and good tips also. Thanks! Continue the great work!

[KUMARSAAHABVLOG]

Hi Sir,

I’ve watched your leather craftsmanship and I deeply admire the quality and artistry in your work. I’m in the process of starting a small-scale handbag manufacturing business, and your designs are a true inspiration to me.

I’m reaching out to see if there might be an opportunity to seek your guidance, whether in terms of bag design patterns or even further training. Any insights you could share on maintaining quality and craftsmanship would be incredibly valuable to me.

Thank you for your time, and I truly look forward to the possibility of learning from someone as skilled as yourself.

Thank you

[allanpennington]

You have some advantages of using veg tan that you didn't take advantage of when turning your edges. Use a scratch awl and score the inner side of the turn. Dampen, (not wet) the flesh side of your turn. Place a straight edge along the centre of your turn and use a bone folder to bring the turn up to a right angle and rub along the straight edge with you bone folder. Gently does it, don't stretch the damp leather. Then complete your turn aligning the edge with your marks. Place a weight on it and let it dry. It will stay there and be a nice turn. Glue if you want, but if its caught in a stitched seam you only need a white glue not a heavy contact cement to tac before sewing or no glue at all. Lastly match the depth of your turn to the size of your project, what Im getting at here is proportion. You may have been able to make a slightly deeper turn in this case, personal choice of course, but it would have been even easier to turn. Hope that helps.

[heatherw]

What craftsmanship! I love this. I’m absolutely new to leatherwork but have most the tools laying around due to my husband’s knife and leather sheath making. I’m trying my hand at leather purses. I aspire to be as good as you one day. Thanks you for sharing your knowledge and talent with the world. ❤️

[jessgodber]

I love it! it's so pretty in that green!

[grimtt]

Two things i will spend more $$ on: stitching chisel (w/highly polished tines), and edge bevelers. One thing that upped my game re:stitching is using an arbor press to punch stitching holes. Since i can’tstand over my work the press ensures my holes are straight and true, esp with thinker layers of leather.