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Do you ever have a day when you're running around town, and you need to get a lot of things done? I usually do. That's why I've been looking at different bags for a while. I wanted a clean, soft leather bag for everyday wear. From raw leather without unnecessary details, but still elegant, affordable, and timeless.
I love minimalism. I don't have to think in the morning about what lace and pattern I'm going to wear today, or whether the pattern suits me. With a minimalist wardrobe, everything always goes together, and it's timeless.
The only challenge was finding the bag... Unfortunately, there are logos, unnecessary details, and excess elements everywhere, so bags are heavy. That's why I finally decided to sew the bag myself, following the principles of Quiet Sewing. It can't be that hard, right?
I went to my favorite fabric store, and in the leather department I found a beautiful leather with a cracked surface. It was exactly what I wanted! Raw, cracked, organic imperfection that will look great in a few years. At the same time, it is soft enough to sew on my basic sewing machine. I bought the leather and went home to make it.
The only challenge was finding the bag...
Love for Raw Style
I was looking for a pattern, but everywhere there were bags with big handles. They all looked the same. I wanted something more raw, real, that would match my identity and my self. I couldn’t find any pattern for a bag like that, so I ended up drawing the pattern myself. The goal was to sew a large tote bag from soft leather.
What is The Best Thing About The Bag?
Organic imperfection
You can tell at first glance that the bag is not from a factory. Its leather shows a natural, cracked look. I think that authenticity is in the imperfections. I didn’t try to professionally hide the appearance of the material or perfectly smooth the edges and corners; instead, I highlighted the material by sewing the bag raw. Leather is quality; there is no need to play with logos. Its material speaks for itself, and I helped it stand out with the way it was sewn. Leather is a timeless material, and there is no need to hide it behind logos.
Cut construction
I was looking for a practical shape for the bag. Not a classic square, but wider at the bottom and slightly narrower at the top, so that I could control the contents of the bag and no one could reach it without my knowledge. At the same time, I wanted a depth that was "just right". I have sewn a few beautiful bags in the past, but not all of them have a bottom that I can reach. So I needed something practical where I could reach the bottom comfortably and immediately. I sewed the bag to be as light as possible. So I avoided metal elements, zippers, etc. This way, anyone can sew it. In addition, the shape and style of the bag are not subject to trends.
Slouchy Silhouette
Thanks to the fine leather material, the bag is beautifully soft and supple. On the other hand, thanks to the tapered cut at the top, it holds its shape perfectly. It’s a sophisticated oversized tote bag that makes an outfit look effortless. What I like most is that it adapts beautifully to my body and the shape of the contents, making it extremely comfortable to wear every day, unlike formal Birkin-type handbags – hard, heavy, formal.
Cracked look
When I saw the bag's cracked texture, I was completely captivated. I knew right away that it would look great with any material and would give a soft, minimalist, raw style to the silk satins I wear, for example. I love clean, simple. Even a more sophisticated pattern can still be minimalist. (For example, I have another tote bag that I sewed to wear on Sicilian beaches.)
But this cracked look feels completely different. It’s quiet; it goes with everything and doesn’t draw attention to itself. Its quality doesn’t need to prove anything.
Raw craftsmanship
I sewed the bag roughly on purpose. I love its surface, and I wanted to make the material stand out, to underline the rawness of leather creation and the fact that you don't have to pretend to be someone important if you have quality in your hand. It is those raw edges on the bag that stand out the most and show the courage to go your own way outside the mainstream, to show that you too can draw and sew your own bag and be authentic. It is a silent manifesto. You don't have to shout if you are aware of your own inner strength, peace, and femininity.
What You Need
2 large leathers (price 103,45 EUR / 118,76 USD for both leathers)
Thread in the color of the leather
If needed, you can get a leather needle. However, if the leather is soft enough, you can sew the bag with a regular basic needle
Tailor's tape measure and ruler
Tailor's scissors
Tailor's pencil or chalk
Pliers for attachment (you can't use pins, because you won't pierce the leather)
Estimated Time
Around 5 hours of your time.
Free Raw Edge Leather Bag Pattern
Minimalist Raw Edge Leather Bag Pattern for Beginners View
This pattern consists of only 9 pieces, making it an easy project for afternoon sewing.
Step-by-step Tutorial How to Make a Leather Tote Beginner-friendly
This leather bag making tutorial is perfect for both advanced and beginners. You don't need any special skills, just a little patience and a few hours of free time. It took me about 5 hours to make this bag. Feel free to use this handmade leather tote tutorial. This handbag will be a perfect piece of your sustainable DIY fashion.
Draw the shape of the bag and the handles on the inside of the leather and cut out all the pieces.
Using pliers, attach the front and back of the bag with the wrong sides out to each other and stitch the sides and bottom of the bag.
Create a square bottom for the bag by removing the corners on the sewn bottom edges.
Take the cover strip for the hem and sew it to the right side of the bag so that it covers the side seam. Do the same for the other side.
Sew the cover strip down the side and then continue until the strip reaches the middle of the bottom of the bag. Repeat on the other side.
Use small pieces of leather to cover the top of the seams so that the bag looks elegant even though it is sewn in a raw style.
On the right side of the bottom of the bag, attach a cover sheet of leather in the middle to reinforce the bottom using clips.
Sew the bottom around the perimeter.
Attach the bag handles using clips at the same level as your bag's corners.
Sew the bag handles along their entire length.
To make the bag handles look elegant, sew them on both sides so that they have a nice, thin look.
What to Wear This Bag With
You can wear this bag with anything. It looks great with satin or other silky materials, as well as with plain jeans, a white T-shirt, and basic sneakers or a boho dress.
If you want your bag to last for many years, take care of it as you would any other leather product. Impregnation is essential. If you bought leather with a suede finish, do not use creams, but only a soft brush. If your leather is smooth all over, you can treat it with a transparent leather cream before and after the season to avoid staining the bag.
I am so happy that I made this bag. The material cost 103.45 EUR / 118.76 USD (the price is for both leathers), and I have a beautiful bag exactly how I needed it.
Want to share your experiences and ideas or just need some advice? Let me know in the comments. I'm here as always. 🌸
Enjoy your beautiful sewing time and good luck with your project! 🧵✨
Have a nice day
Dana
