I do love making my own fashion bits and after buying some cut off leather pieces online, I knew it was time to make myself a new leather bag! As it was the first time for me doing this, I thought I would share the process and show you how I made my bag so you can try making yours too!

To start off, you will need:

Cardboard – I used an old cereal box

Ruler (I prefer a metal one)

Leather hole puncher

Screw studs

One piece of leather

One chain for the strap

Scissors

Scalpel

& a Pen or pencil

To start off, using your ruler and cardboard, mark out how big you want your bag to be.  I wanted a bag that I could use for evenings out so it only needed to be big enough for my phone, makeup and keys.

Once your shape is marked out, using your scissors, cut along the marked lines and recycle any excess bits you don’t want.  Now you have your template, lay this on top of your leather and using the scalpel, cut out your new bag shape. TIP: Make sure you do this on a old work top or cutting board as scalpel are very sharp and will cut through.

With your new bag cut out, fold it in half and with a pen, mark out where you want your screw studs to go. I would have a stud fairly close to the bottom so nothing can slip out of your bag and also mark holes for where the straps will go at the top.  With the ruler, measure and work out what gap to leave between each stud but make sure they aren’t too close together. When you have marked out your holes, turn the dial on your leather hole punch and work out what size you want the holes to be(use your screw studs as a guide). Lay both the front and back of your bag together and punch a hole where you have marked.  You will need to use both hands for this punch as leather is pretty tough and maybe pour yourself a glass of wine as it is thirsty work too. When all your holes are punched, start to screw on our studs. You will need to make the hole bigger for the stud head to go through (just the front side) but you can do this with a larger pin on your leather hole puncher.  When all your studs are in and both leather sides are secured, make another hole at the top of your bag which will be for your opening. I used a screw stud for this again but remember that leather stretches so don’t make the hole that you need to open too big.Then it’s just a case of slipping on your chain and you are DONE! Not bad for an hours work and it looks pretty cute too!

So what do you think? Are you going to have a go?

Images by Lois Spencer-Tracey