Red Tote Bag

[Hi Im Joe]

Hello Eveyrone,

Here's a red tote bag I made for my mom. The last project I posted was a canvas and leather tote. I used that project as a trial run for this all leather tote bag. This bag has a duck cotton lining with an internal pocket. It also has an external zipper pocket and zipper top closure. My mom likes cross body bags so I made the strap so she could wear it this way.

A couple things I learned:

Zipper top closures are a pain in the ass. I have to figure out some better ways to get it done and have a cleaner look.

Top stitching around the top of the bag is a bitch. I should have top stitched it from the inside to the outside instead of the other way around.

I definitely made some errors with this bag but I feel like I learned a lot and the next one will be even better because of it.

Thanks for looking! Let me know what you like and how I could do better.

Joe

[builderofstuff]

Looks really good. I'd like to get into making more bags, my wife has a purse addiction so it would be a great excuse to make stuff and keep her happy. What weight leather did you use?

Chris

[Hi Im Joe]

Thank you!

Leather is 2.6oz according to the supplier. It felt insanely thin. But it worked out really well and turning it was a piece of cake due to its lightweight.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Hi Im Joe

[Rohn]

Looks great Joe.

[Hi Im Joe]

Looks great Joe.

Thanks Rohn!

[thefanninator]

Good work!

[Hi Im Joe]

Good work!

Thanks!

[billybopp]

Looks darn nice!

ill

B

[Eddie1968]

looks like it would be a booger to assemble! But you did an awesome job!!

[Hi Im Joe]

Looks darn nice!

ill

B

Thanks billy!

looks like it would be a booger to assemble! But you did an awesome job!!

Thank you so much! It definitely was not the easiest to assemble. But I learned a lot!

[tatehunt]

Nice job!

[Hi Im Joe]

Nice job!

Thanks!

[MonicaJacobson]

Very nice! Sure, it needs a little bit of improvement, but it's remarkably good! You bags are getting better and better at an impressive rate.

[Hi Im Joe]

Very nice! Sure, it needs a little bit of improvement, but it's remarkably good! You bags are getting better and better at an impressive rate.

Thanks Monica! Working with liners is like a whole new world. It definitely adds a level of complexity. However, it is kind of nice because it covers a lot up as well! Dual edged sword I guess.

I think next I'll do a gussetted bag and see how it comes out. Should be fun.

[Jimbob]

Wooha Nelly now we are talking.....you are getting better in a hurry !!!!!!

[Hi Im Joe]

Wooha Nelly now we are talking.....you are getting better in a hurry !!!!!!

Thanks jimbob. Practice makes perfect. That and making mistakes (aka learning experiences).

[Leese]

Looks good. Keep up the good work! Yup, with practice each one gets better (and a little easier)