Recently I saw a Building Block Leather Drawstring bag and got inspired. I just loved the shape and the juxtaposition of the materials…so, I decided to create my own. Mood Fabrics had just about all the supplies I needed (aside from the rubber tubing) to create this fun bag. Have a go-to crossbody bag you love? Share below.
SUPPLIES: Straight edge, pebbled leather, rotary cutter, about 6 ft of rubber tubing (this isn’t solid tubing featured here, but I found some at Canal Rubber and I recommend it over the hollow), a circle to trace, rubber mallet, scissors, spacer, awl, hole cutter, wood (this came with hole cutter in a grommet set so you won’t punch a hole in your table) artificial sinew, and 2 leather needles
HOW-TO:
1. Cut out a rectangle of leather based on the height and circumference of bag you want.
2. Use the spacer and straight edge to create your row of holes along the bottom permitter of the bag (Note: I suggest doing a 1/4 in seam allowance and skiving the leather a little if you want it to lay really flat).
3. Use your awl to fully punch the holes that your spacer created.
4. With your awl trace out your circle template.
HOW-TO CONT’D:
5. Using scissors, cut out your circle. Then using your spacer and awl, repeat Steps 2 & 3 around the perimeter of your circle.
6. I started in the center here because I previously stamped a logo and wanted it in a certain position, but I recommend starting on one end (1/4 inch in from the edge) and then stitching (saddle stitch shown here) all the way around until you are ready to close it up (Note: you may have to cut off a little extra if you made the body bigger than your circle bottom). I found this is an easier method unless you want to use a ratio to figure out perfect size for circle and outer bag. Then, stitch up the side of the bag.
7. After that, lay your bag flat and figure out where you want your holes for your straps to go. Mark both (I did one on top of the other, an inch apart).
8. Punch the holes with your hole cutter and mallet.
9. Cut your tubing at your desired length, then insert it through the holes and knot them on the inside.
10. Lastly, use your last piece loop the closure piece of tubing through your strap, and you’re all done.
Brandhyze Stanley is the chief voice of the award winning blog, Frugal-nomics.com; a platform designed to share with women how to live and look fabulous on a dime. A DIY girl at heart—Brandhyze has been featured on Dr. Oz, The View, The Today Show, InStyle Magazine, Essence Magazine, and MTVStyle. A Wilhelmina Model for over a decade, with a Business Degree from Loyola University Chicago, Brandhyze provides DIY content to the popular How-To Site, eHow; and has been a contributor for the Huffington Post, Yahoo Finance, Super Money, Good Housekeeping, and Newsday Westchester, to name a few. Brandhyze is a huge thrifter and a lover of all good deals, follow her on Twitter @MyFrugalnomics and on Facebook at Facebook.com/Frugalnomics
1 comment
[…] They look great no matter what size they are. And since the design is simple and interchangeable, you have a lot of choices to consider if you’re making one. If you would like to make one, we actually have a DIY article about making one with leather here! […]