I’m finally posting about the tote! It’s been an emotional roller coaster for me. I made two bags, I must confess. I hated the first bag so much. The second bag turned out much better.
Bag #1 Bag #2
I had left over material from the cow bench, another one of my hand-crafted items. I love creating and building things. Using my hands to craft my ideas gives me, simply put, joy!
Back to the story at hand, the tote. I was eager to try again after the first bag because the process wasn’t complicated. Step by step cutting the sides of the bag, scaling the straps and determining the size and mood of the bag. Bag #1 I learned the most on, so many mistakes! Still, the process intrigued my soul. The most fun was the inside of the second tote. Hand stitching leather and sealing edges, oohhhh I just loved it.
Bag #1 (Lots of mistakes, wrong thread, uneven pieces, bunched up sewing under lining)
Adding trim and extra support for the handles
Bag #1 images are a little out of order. You get the picture! My favorite part of the first bag were the handles. I loved making those, the design gave it texture and I wanted them to stand out.
Bag #2 ( I did not get as many images as I intended. I would have liked to show a threading image. Next time!)
I ordered more supplies. I had the right thread this go around and a few new tools that made it easier to thread. I took better measurements and more precise cuts (Side note: use a blade instead of scissors). I’m pacing myself with supplies. I’ve had several interests in other hobbies that I’ve lost momentum in after purchasing tools for those hobbies. I don’t want to do that with leather crafts. Something about this feels like more than a hobby for me. I enjoyed the material so much. I used cow hide and a stiffer shoulder cut of that smooth brown hide you see in the photo. I’ve signed up for a class and watched several videos from different crafters. Learning about the different types of leather. What’s the best leather for making jackets and furniture, threading techniques, thickness and so on. I know what I ‘d like to craft next!
Take Care of Yourself!
Something About Stephanie 