The Easiest Printable Leather Bag Patterns

Not long after I began sewing, I fell in love with the idea of making beautiful handbags and working with leather sewing patterns. I imagined myself carrying around the perfect handmade leather tote that garnered compliments everywhere I went. However, the idea of actually making that dream bag seemed totally intimidating and felt like the kind of project only reserved for experienced sewists.

Truth be told, I became so intimidated to even start and it took me years to face my fear and purchase my first sheet of leather. The good news is, after several years (and creating a career out of regular sewing,) I’ve learned some really helpful tips that make working with leather and other tricky fabrics so much easier and more attainable for everyone. You can check out my complete guide to sewing leather by clicking here.

To use this leather handbag pattern, you’ll also need a few basic sewing supplies. I’ve outlined each one below and included shoppable links for your convenience. Since we’re working with unique fabric for these leather bag patterns, some of our supplies may be different as well.

Video Tutorial:

Sewing Supplies List:

Basic Sewing Kit

A Basic Sewing Kit is important no matter what project you are working on. When you are just getting started, it can often be easiest to just buy a pre-made one. This Sewing Kit was the most complete one I could find on Amazon, which usually has the best deals.

Leather Sewing Machine Needles

When sewing with leather, be sure to use a fresh Leather Machine Needle at the start of each project. I recommend using a new needle to prevent any damage and frustration caused by a dull one. Leather will dull your needles relatively quickly so it is easiest to just start with a new Leather Machine Needle for each project. Leather needles do not cost more than Universal needles but are slightly thicker and able to handle thick, tough fabrics.

Leather Sewing Machine Thread

To hold heavy fabrics like canvas, leather, and suede together, you need a heavy-duty thread. It’s thicker and tougher than standard polyester and can hold your awesome project together while standing the test of time. Often we can be tempted to use Universal thread for our leather bag patterns but Universal Threads will break and snap throughout the process of making your project.

Walking Foot

In learning to sew leather, one of the biggest tools you will need is the correct presser foot. If you plan on working with leather or thick fabric often, I can’t recommend a Walking Foot enough! Basically, a Walking Foot includes an additional set of feed dogs on the top of your presser foot so it will sandwich your fabric and help guide it through the sewing machine easier without any resistance. Having a Walking Foot will come in handy whenever you are sewing vinyl, canvas, suede, leather, or faux leather as well as conventional fabrics like heavy quits and outerwear. YOU CAN GET THE ONE I USE BY CLICKING HERE.

Quilting Clips

Another tool that makes sewing leather at home so much easier is having some binder or Sewing clips on hand. Since every time a needle penetrates your leather, the hole is permanent, we are going to want to prevent piercing your fabric as much as possible. Using binder and Sewing clips instead of sewing pins keeps the unnecessary holes to a minimum.

How To Use This Leather Handbag Pattern

To make this leather handbag pattern, just print out the printable leather bag patterns here. Once the pieces are printed and taped together, we’re going to cut out the following pattern pieces:

• One Pocket Piece
• Two Purse Body Pieces
• Two Ring Tabs
• One Gusset Piece
• Two Purse Tops

If you need help printing, storing, and downloading PDF sewing patterns, check out my complete guide here.

When you are sewing leather with an at-home sewing machine, there are a few little tips to keep in mind. The first is to always use a walking foot on your leather bag patterns. It has an extra set of feed dogs it’s easier on your machine. Also, extend your stitch length to 3.5 or 4.0. Since every hole that you make and leather it’s going to be permanent, we’re going to keep those holes to a minimum. Finally, be sure you use a leather needle and test out your stitches with heavy-duty thread on a scrap piece of leather before working on your project.

Once your machine settings are ready, it’s time to sew the front pocket onto the front bag piece using the markings on this leather bag patterns as a guide. Adjust your needle so it’s as close to the raw edge of your pocket as possible but still allowing the extra feed dogs of your walking foot to really get a firm hold on your leather. Be sure to extend your stitch length to 3.5 or 4.0 to reduce excess punctures in your fabric and reduce tearing. Since leather doesn’t fray, we don’t need to finish the top edge of the front pocket whatsoever.

Note: For this part of the tutorial, we will be using sewing pins to hold your leather in place. In general (and for the rest of this project) we will be using quilting clips. If you don’t have quilting clips on hand, you can also use binder clips. We really want to reduce using sewing pins because they create puncture holes in your leather that are going to be permanent.

Now it’s time to install the gusset. When we’re putting the gusset on the front and our back purse pattern pieces, we’re going to be starting at the top edges. Make sure everything is lined up correctly before working your way down in the body of the bag. Holding everything in place with quilting clips.

Once the front of your bag is done, it’s time to flip your project over and repeat the process on the other side.

Now, it’s time to sew the body of your leather purse together. We’re going to be using a half an inch seam allowance and we’re also going to sell the purse tops to either end of year zipper.

When sewing your zipper, I like to put the right sides together. It creates a clean finish on the top edge and your purse zipper and should be able to slide up and down really easily.

Now to reduce bulk from the leather we’re going to make tiny triangular clips into the seam allowance of your leather. Just make sure that your only trimming at the curved edges of your bag and you’re not slipping into your threads. I like to use extra sharp scissors for the step. Make your way around the front and backside of your purse making sure that you were trimming all four edges before turning your back right side out.

From here your bag is really starting to take shape so let’s add our purse straps to start now to do this I just cut out my two ring tabs and slip them through a premade purse handle.

You can also recycle an old purse handle if that’s easier to. To sew it in place, we are just going to fold your ring tab through our handle, fold it in half, and then lining it up with the gusset marks of your bag.

From here you are just going to sew a little square on that top of your ring tab.

Now you could leave your project just like this and have a leather tote, or we can finish it off and make your bag into a really nice purse. We’ll do this by adding a top zipper! To do that, all we’re going to line up the purse top with the inside body and hold it in place with quilting clips. These stitches are going to be very visible so try to keep them as clean and as close to the top edge as possible.

And now you did it! You made your first awesome, totally practical leather bag. I really hope you guys and again to print this (and other) leather bag patterns, visit modernsewingpatterns.com

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