DIY - How to make a leather purse?

1. PRINT AND TRACE THE PATTERN

Download and print the PDF pattern. You can also choose a pre-cut purse for sale on our site (at which point go directly to step 3: assembling the purse) .

Cut out the paper pattern, leaving about 1 cm of margin around the pieces. Then, using masking tape, stick the pattern to the leather.

2. DRILL AND CUT THE PURSE

Make the holes in the purse using a mallet and a 4 mm diameter punch.

• For a 14.5 cm purse, you need to make 20 holes spaced 2 cm apart.
• For a 20 cm purse you need to make 24 holes (see the pattern) .

Using a rotary cutter or a good pair of scissors: cut the purse out of the leather (for a perfect roundness we recommend using a rotary cutter).

*The ears of the purses were intentionally not cut out in these 2 example photos but don't forget to do them 😉

3. ASSEMBLING THE LEATHER PURSE

The video below shows you 2 ways to make a leather purse!

STANDARD VERSION

• Take 1 meter of round leather lace (diameter 2 mm) and cut it into 2 pieces of 50 centimeters.
• Pass the lace through starting at one ear and make a complete turn. Bring the lace out and tie a knot.
• Do the same for the second lace, but this time start with the other ear and tie a knot.

The little extra: add a sliding loop, eyelets or a lace stop to the purse. We also recommend that you dye the edges of the purse leather to give it a more finished look.

STOP LACE VERSION

• Take 50 centimeters of round leather lace (diameter 2 mm).
• Pass the lace through starting at one ear and make a complete turn. Pull the lace out.
• Thread each end of the lace through the lace stopper, then tie a knot.

PRACTICAL FOR ALL OCCASIONS

LEATHER PURSE: THE NAVY VERSION

Marine chose to add a 1 cm wide leather strap to her purses:

• Mark the stitching points with a punching claw all around the purse.
• Cut 2 small strips of leather 1 cm wide then assemble them with a rivet in the middle (the length will depend on the diameter of the purse).
• Sew the leather straps onto the leather purse bag and make a decorative seam.

LEATHER PURSE: NICOLAS’ VERSION

A small leather purse made from 2 mm thick leather and a 4 mm thick vegetable tanned leather reinforcement. The purse was assembled with a 3 mm wide flat lace. Nicolas chose to close his purse with a snap button but it is quite possible to close it with the leather lace.

DIY idea to make with scholarships

A wooden and leather advent calendar.

SEE THE COMPLETE TUTORIAL