People often ask me if I could show how to make a leather handbag. So, I decided to show you how to make a bag without using a sewing machine. You will learn how to carve out leather, engrave it, paint and stitch. All by hand.
You need:
- veg-tanned leather (only this makes engraving possible)
- leather cord
- paint for leather
- tools for engraving (stamps)
- a leather or plastic hammer (metal will break stamps).
Here is a pattern:
The length of the strap — to your taste. Average — 90 cm, but if you want longer — make 120 cm.
First, cut out the pattern on paper and then transfer it to leather. Draw out with an awl at the right side of the leather. Cut out with sharp scissors. Then apply the engraving pattern, it's done on a wet leather surface — the engraving process requires a wet surface, too.
Regardless of the size of the engraved pattern, wet the entire leather surface. It's done in order to avoid water stains when leather is dry.
To get beautiful colour when engraving, you should correctly moisturize the leather. Wet it with a sponge. Water immediately begins to soak in. If the surface becomes light again, add water. But don't overdo, don't make it too wet.
Now, put the leather aside for half an hour. When it begins to acquire its original colour and feels cold (apply to the cheek), it is ready for engraving. The top layer is already dry, but it has enough moisture inside. Now, when you strike a stamp, the leather gives a beautiful tan colour.
If the leather is too wet — the drawing will be a mess. The edges are flattened, there are no clear lines and colour.
If the leather is too dry — all prints will be light and difficult to work with.
Transfer the patter with a pen without inks:
Take a special knife:
And emphasize the line:
Here's what you get:
Cut the pattern:
Now you are ready to engrave.
Attach sticky tape on the backside.
Flatten leather along the lines to create volume, use stamp called 'beveler'.
Now take another stamp to make grooves in the leaves and petals.
Put it on the 'heel', raise the 'tip' above the surface.
Get these grooves:
The next stamp to cut the edges of leaves and petals.
Here's how the edges of petals are raised:
The tool can be done at home if you grind a screwdriver:
Cut the leaves without a hammer, carefully, not through!
Now make the heart of the flower:
Make veins on the leaves:
Raise one end, the second one is put in the middle of a leaf. Hammer:
Here are the veins:
Now add texture to stems:
Another stamp making a slightly different pattern:
Now draw small ticks at the base of the stems where they meet each other or split:
Cut such lines:
Make drops:
Work the background:
Another pattern for this task:
Meanwhile, the leather dries faster or slower, this depends on the temperature in the room. If you see that the prints of the stamps are getting lighter and it's getting harder to work — it's time to moisturize the leather. Wet the entire surface of leather again even if the pattern is small.
When it's done, put the skin aside for a couple of hours for complete drying. After that, remove the tape from the backside.
Punch holes for the ribbon. I left a 1.5 cm distance.
The size of the punch should match the width of the braid. I used a 4 mm braid.
The engraving is over, the holes are punched, you can now paint.
I use ANTIQUE gel. Take gloves, a piece of sheepskin, a little water and a paper towel.
Begin to paint the engraved parts. Squeeze a bit of paint on the sheepskin.
Rub the paint into the leather with circular movements. It should get in the grooves.
Immediately take a paper towel and wipe the excess paint:
If the paint is wiped off hard, wet the cloth quite a bit, just touching the water.
Continue to wipe off the excess.
Now the back side (if you plan).
You can use paint diluted with water.
Do the same with all parts of the bag.
Apply leather finish:
Start with the backside.
Go to the right side. Start with the pattern.
Don't apply the finish on the same areas several times, otherwise, the brushstrokes remain visible.
Wipe the excess liquid.
Leave for an hour or two to dry completely. Then take a piece of clean linen cloth or sheepskin to polish the surface.
Now attach the findings.
Measure the distance for the strap on the lid:
From both sides.
Then join this mark with the top hole on the front panel:
Align the marks and holes from both sides, find a middle point where a buckle will be.
Pierce a hole.
Make it more distinct with a small punch:
Insert the button:
Be sure to check how the button is opened and closed.
Install rings for the strap.
Test if the diameter of the rings matches the width of the strap.
If the legs are longer than the total thickness of the leather — cut off the tip.
The leg should protrude above the surface at 1-2 mm.
We are now ready to sew. Take a special needle:
I don't have a needle with such an eye, but there is a special hole with a groove — the braid is screwed into it. It is screwed.
The tip should be sharp:
Screw the tip of the ribbon up to the end. If you want to remove the tape out of the needle, unscrew it.
Sew!
When you reach the last holes, make a few stitches in the opposite direction and bring the needle to the inside of the bag.
Fasten the end:
Now attach the strap.
The handbag is ready!
Thank you for your attention!
Love,
Irina