How to Make a Leather Bag

I like to start my bags by quilting the leather and the lining on my longarm machine. I use a tighter stitch length - 12-14 stitches per inch. This way I don’t have to worry about the stitching coming undone. I use whatever cotton fabric I have for the lining, the batting is either 80/20 cotton/wool or 100% wool. The leather is a garment grade leather. I use a size 90/14 leather needle to stitch with.

When I make a leather bag I like it to have all the pockets, zippers, handles…..everything! Sometimes I start adding things and wish I could add more and more, sometimes I’m “done” and just want to finish so I can move on to my next project.

If I keep in mind I want zippered pockets and “D” rings to attach my keys to it is so much better. Getting all this done on the lining before hand makes it possible to have a nice finished look.

These days nothing is complete until you have a pocket for the cell phone. I like to accent my pockets on the inside by using the same leather that I used on the outside.

As a final touch I like to use rivits to attach the handles. Not only does it add a professional look it is fun to do!