Leather Bottom Fabric Tote {Monthly DIY Challenge}

It's the second Wednesday of the month and that means it's time for another monthly DIY challenge!  This month's theme was fabric and I was really looking forward to dusting off my sewing machine.  I feel like it's been f.o.r.e.v.e.r. since I sewed anything and I couldn't wait to get started on making something useful.

I've always loved the look of leather bottom bags and this month's challenge was the perfect excuse to buy some fun fabrics and get sewing.   Real leather is super expensive, so I ended up going with a leather alternative, which was still a bit pricey at $35.00 a yard.  Jo-Ann's had cheaper options, but I had my mind set on using a specific cognac color and type of leather.  The less expensive fabrics just felt and looked too cheap for the look I was going for.  Thank goodness for 40% off coupons!


I must admit, I am no professional seamstress and hate pinning and using patterns.  Have I mentioned before that I am impatient?  Who has time for all the pinning?  I did end up making a pattern in an effort to make my life easier, but the first bag was definitely a "see where this takes me and who cares if my lines are not straight kind of bag."

Let's get started....

I cut 2 pieces of fabric for the top of the outer shell (white and gray stripe), 2 pieces for the bottom of the outer shell (leather) and 2 pieces for the lining (natural canvas).

With rights sides together, I sewed the 2 pieces of the outer shell together.

Normally, I would iron seams open but since you can't really iron leather I just ironed them flat.

Right sides together again, I sewed the front and back of the outer shell together leaving the top open.

To make the bottom flat, I pulled the bottom corners out, measured two inches in from the corner then sewed across to make a triangle

I repeated the same steps with the lining.

Remember how I said I didn't make a pattern and was just kind of winging it?  Well, I didn't take into account the seam allowance in the lining and it ended up being too tall.  (this is the point when I realized I better make a pattern for next time)  Thankfully, it was a super easy fix and I just cut off the extra length at the top.

After the lining was trimmed to the correct size, I put it inside the shell (right sides together) and sewed across the top, leaving enough room to turn it right side out again.

I ironed the seams flat then top stitched around the top of the bag. 

Now that the bag was complete it was time to attach the straps.  I went with antique brass snaps that I also picked up from Jo-Ann's.  They are on the expensive side ($7.99 for a pack of 6), so I decided to only place one snap in the back of the bag and two in the front.

I used the same leather for the straps and just cut them out using the width of a level as my guide. 

After I got everything lined up in place I just used a hammer to join the pieces together.  There is no need to buy an expensive gadget for applying snaps. 

I love, love, LOVE how this bag turned out.  I've been using it for the past few days and am pretty proud that it actually turned out as I imagined.  Looking back, I probably should have lined the handles, but I was worried the snaps wouldn't go through all the layers.  Next time I'll try and top stitch two layers of leather together and see how it goes. 

I had so much fun making the first bag, that I didn't stop there. 

I love the fun surprise of the gold triangle lining.  

I enjoyed making these bags so much that I'm offering one as a giveaway on my two year blogiversary on September 1st!!!  More than likely it will be the black and white striped bag with triangle lining, so be sure to stop back for your chance to snag one of these bags for yourself!

Now, don't forget to check out all the other fabulous DIY fabric ideas!

Burlap and copper pipe wall art Fabric Covered Front Door Hooks Braided Fabric Scrap Sign Leather Bottom Fabric Tote Painted fabric pillows Framed Botanical Wall Art DIY Infinity Scarf DIY Fabric Lined Furniture Shabby Chic Floral Garland Scrap Fabric Banner

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