Making a leather tote bag - with commentary

Рет қаралды 30,185

4 жыл бұрын

See what I'm selling on my Etsy shop: etsy.me/2RV4Dwe
Visit my website: www.james-c-berry.com
This leather tote-bag (or tote bag) is made out of 1,4mm thick vegetable tanned (or vegtan) leather that I dye by hand using Fiebing's Oil Dye (aka Pro dye) in brown.
All pieces are saddle-stitched by hand.
Leatherwork starter kit : bit.ly/3vMoC5h
Vegtan leather: bit.ly/3oEWFbu
LOXX closing mechanism: bit.ly/3BsJmCI
Utility knife: bit.ly/3ODUPlz
Strap cutter: bit.ly/3baECXD
Metal ruler: bit.ly/3znnl5E
Saddler's needles: bit.ly/3cEkzRw
Cutting mat: bit.ly/3cPxkZR
Stitching chisel: bit.ly/3bckwfq
Mallet: bit.ly/3zQaZEB
Exotic wood slicker: bit.ly/3barcuM
Edge beveler: bit.ly/3Saj26g
Thread pack: bit.ly/3PHB3qB
Fiebing's Pro Dye: bit.ly/3binI9h
Skiving knife: bit.ly/3ziSxTg
Cotton gloves: amzn.to/3eQnxzz
Alcohol burner: amzn.to/3OHZ9QX
Stitch groover: bit.ly/3oFl0hc
Tokonole: bit.ly/3Jef1cF
Thread zap: bit.ly/3OIY5Mw
Saphir renovateur: amzn.to/3zkAxI6
Saddle soap: bit.ly/3zf0N6Q
Leather protection cream: bit.ly/3vo7x19
Revolving punch: bit.ly/3BH9yJZ
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I make leather products in my spare time, mostly bags, backpacks and small items like wallets and card-holders. I am still learning a ton every time I take on a new project and always appreciate feedback on my creations.
For the moment I don't take orders as I like to spend too many hours getting the finished product as good as I can : this means that if I were to sell these bags, the selling price would be way more than the bags are worth due to the hours of work involved.
As always, do let me know what you think of this creation and this video. If you have any tips or comments about the techniques used, please let me know by dropping a comment below this video :)
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Full License HERE - creativecommons.org/licenses/...
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► Background Credit: The Free Stock Video Footage featured in this video was filmed by Robert Martin & Nick Farley @ NCM
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Пікірлер: 77

@CantrellLeatherGoods 4 жыл бұрын

Vey elegant looking. I like the dying technique. It really adds interest. That shape is very cool. You are one of my favorite channels. Thank you for being humble and charming. Oh, and your makers mark turned out really nice, makes the bag look high end. How cool that you father made that.

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Choya for your message and support ! Really glad you like my content so much :D

@JulieHiltbrunner 4 жыл бұрын

Gorgeous and lovely light in the video!

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you :)

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Check out the tools I use and recommend here: www.amazon.com/shop/jamesberry See what I'm selling on my Etsy shop: etsy.me/2RV4Dwe

@DiannaAtherton 2 жыл бұрын

Gorgeous bag. Well done

@Ninjadoc2000 8 ай бұрын

hey i’ve got the same swann morton scalpel! i use it all the time and blades are cheap and sharp as hell! great bag, i also loved your video about home made leather wax, made a batch right after watching it! :)

@Traderhood 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent.

@lykastor 4 жыл бұрын

What a beautiful work!!!

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Rodrigo :D

@lykastor 4 жыл бұрын

JamesBerry Greetings from Mexico!!!

@tony-thefiglovinstargazer 4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful bro!

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tony, glad you like it :D

@simply_chris 4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful bag❤️

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Chris :)

@faizalpulickool 2 жыл бұрын

I love working with leather. now i am really mad about leather products. yes i want to learn how to work on leather

@gypsycruiser 3 жыл бұрын

Love the base shape , the opening is restricted could do with a gusset design , the straps are not secure enough .. either more stitching and wider ends or double round rivets .. liked the way you treated the raw hide prior to shaping !

@JamesBerry 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Yes after making this a lot of people have suggested the same modifications. I'll take this into account for future builds :)

@Anteroization 4 жыл бұрын

adorable and useful, I wish i could make one in 12 minutes 56 seconds like you ! can take me 3 days those labors of love.

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Hahah the hardest part was learning to stitch at the speed of light! Glad you like it :)

@christinatalavera8167 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing 👜‼️

@JamesBerry 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Christina!

@gypsycruiser 3 жыл бұрын

Not a compass : it’s a divider , great video and informative commentary .. thank you for sharing your skill and knowledge!

@JamesBerry 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the correction, I'm never sure what tools are called as, being in France, the names sometimes vary quite a lot. Glad you like the video :)

@robertmabry4172 Жыл бұрын

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compass_(drawing_tool) Compasses divide.

@Futwea 4 жыл бұрын

Nice bag, please what stamp machine did you use, What is it called? Is there a link?

@kentgordner8344 4 жыл бұрын

Hello! The lines on this handbag are elegant & modern. You definitely have an excellent eye for design. Did you create a template & a mock up model before the finished piece? I have seen simple square cutouts for the bottom on bags, but really like the shaping created by your cutout. Can you tell me how to calculate for the cutout you used & for future bottoms with this type of design? Thank you for taking the time to do this video & for all of your advice on leather prep. Grateful, Kent.

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Kent, thanks so much for your nice message! I'm really pleased you like the final result so much. I didn't make any templates for this as I had a good idea in my mind of the size and outcome I was going for. Of course, I would nevertheless recommend making a template every time, especially when trying something new... do what I say, not what I do type of thing ;) Also I don't have a specific rule about the corners and would simply tell you to test out different measurements with a piece of A4 paper until you find the shape you want - all I new here was that I did not want a 45° angle, so had to cut quite a shallow piece (that would always be cut again if it wasn't enough).

@airnashville3883 4 жыл бұрын

I like it. Nice clean traditional design, almost Italian in ways. Maybe make the handles/straps a bit wider? They seem a bit dainty compared with the bag.

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your message. Actually quite a few people have told me the exact same thing ! For future builds I'll look into having heavier/widder handles :)

@gracaperuna190 4 жыл бұрын

ola Janes Lindo não gosto muito de bolsa grande...Mais vc fez essa com tanto carinho e profissionalismo que ela ficou super charmosa e essa eu usaria sim ...o acabamento dela é super show....obrigada

@wendylevin-shaw3041 4 жыл бұрын

I live the bag, James. The dyeing and using the oil & bees wax mixture is a wonderful idea. I want to make a similar bag but I need to know an approximate measure of the 2 triangles that you cut out. Can you send me some numbers. Thanks. Eddie

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Eddie, thanks a ton for your message, I'm so glad you like it :) For the triangles, I measured 10cm squares in the corners to get the tip of the triangle, then marked 3 or 4cm down each side to get the final triangle I was looking for (sorry I can't remember the exact measures). Hope this makes sens and helps you out :)

@artorcraft6045 4 жыл бұрын

Very Good Best

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you :)

@clefvan 4 жыл бұрын

Nice work! I would widen the straps. I don't know if this design is meant to be hanged or carried all the time. But I think it would be practical if the bag can stand on its own even when empty.

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I agree with you on all points. I haven't made many tote bags but will probably look into a more classic design for the next ones :D

@PavlikLuxe Жыл бұрын

What oil do you use with bee’s wax for your leather wax?

@user-qu9uq4zp3s 4 жыл бұрын

Спасибо! Интересная идея!!!! Возьму её на заметку!!!

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Hahah thanks, glad you like the idea :) Good luck with your creations !

@elinepoelstra8049 4 жыл бұрын

This is amazing!!! i want to attempt my first bag, what leather do you buy?

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Eline, I only use plain vegetable tanned leather from a provider here in France. I would recommend going with the basic Tandy vegtan leather if you don't have any other local option.

@iancarroll216 4 жыл бұрын

Hi, great looking bag. Did you consider overlapping the two main panels to make the bottom flat? And how did the bag sit on the floor? Cheers

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Ian and thanks for your message. Indeed the bag does not sit well on the ground and I really do want to find an elegant way of getting the bottom portion flat. In this one I was worried about the transition area between the overlapping flat bottom and the outward stitched sides. Not sure how I can change this unless I have the whole bag with overlapping sides.

@iancarroll216 4 жыл бұрын

@@JamesBerry hi, I wonder if a skived edge and an overlap all the way round would give a sufficiently smooth edge. Food for thought. 👍

@pamelagahan5601 2 жыл бұрын

What is the board you use to work on made from. The block you use when you hammer the holes please

@loishunt5117 2 жыл бұрын

Love your videos! Like the bag.. You asked us for out input….as a female, like the size, would not like the bottom as it will not stand upright. Would have changed the bottom, also would be good to have just one small pocket either inside or out. Closure? Fold over strap? With a buckle? I would love to see this in black and white. Black stitching on white leather with the edges black and the handles black. Also can you do a woven leather bag? Super popular right now and would be fun to make!! Keep making videos! They are wonderful!

@ryanrobicheaux3896 4 жыл бұрын

Does it stand up with that ridge down the bottom? Seems like seeing from the inside and flipping it would've made the bottom flatter

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Ryan, no it's not very stable and has to be placed agains something. I will be looking into improving this design in future builds and having a flat bottom to it. My worry is then how the top would look = in this design the two pieces of leather come together in a closed position / if I flip it the top would naturally stay open... Need to think of a solution for the next one.

@shimaahassan2918 3 жыл бұрын

Hi can I ask about the measure of the corners plz

@saraagostinho86 4 жыл бұрын

Hi! Love the bag. What's the size of the straps? Thank youuu

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much :) I'm not sure now, I would say about 1cm wide and 50/60cm long.

@saraagostinho86 4 жыл бұрын

@@JamesBerry thank you! That will help a lot. I am waiting for the leather to arrive and I will try do it

@peterramlogan457 3 жыл бұрын

What kind of pricking irons are you using?

@JamesBerry 3 жыл бұрын

I use Crimson Hides irons, the Japanese style in 4mm spacing. Love these irons :D

@MrAndreSamuels 4 жыл бұрын

Wouldn’t mind getting that stamp machine

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Hahah, it's a classic paper stamp with a simple logo inside. Most stamp places can do this for you but it only works on thin leather and the impression is not very deap.

@staceyfacey1734 4 жыл бұрын

Would you mind sharing the measurements you use for cutting in the corners? thanks!

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Stacey, thanks for your message. I'm afraid I'm not certain anymore what the measurements were on this. I stated by tracing a square to find the inner corner/tip of the cut, then traces two lines at a more acute angle to get the final result. I would suggest testing out on a scrap piece first. Sorry I can't be more specific.

@staceyfacey1734 4 жыл бұрын

@@JamesBerry thanks! I will test out on a scrap piece first as you suggest. I love the silhouette you created here whether it stands up or not :)

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks and good luck with your testing :)

@gypsycruiser 3 жыл бұрын

Stamping would be more defined with a more robust pressure and heating the metal stamp

@JamesBerry 3 жыл бұрын

Agreed, I was new to stamping when I did this and have since moved to using a press for more even results.

@maryfrederickson9400 4 жыл бұрын

I think the thin handles would be painful to carry when the bag is full .

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Mary, yes many people have told me the same thing and I'll make sure handles on the next one are wider to carry the weight better :)

@marieline23 2 жыл бұрын

Hello Ce superbe tote bag est-il en vente sur Etsy ?

@JamesBerry 2 жыл бұрын

Eh non, malheureusement je ne vends quasiment rien sur Etsy à part des patrons PDF.

@adamgardner4213 4 жыл бұрын

compass = Divider. A divider is a "compass" with a 2 sharp points to scribe or transfer a distance

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Ahh thank you Adam ! I wasn't sure what to call it :)

@mysweety403 4 жыл бұрын

Hello, Nice video. Too bad I do not understand English. (thanks Google) but, "thread of linen" is very well said, in French. 😉😆 Very nice job. (Myriam. Paris)

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Salut Myriam et merci pour ton message ! Content que tu as aimé la vidéo même si tu n'as pas tout compris :) Effectivement je suis Anglais mais habite à Paris donc je parle Français aussi ... utile pour bien dire les noms de nos beaux produits FR !

@mysweety403 4 жыл бұрын

@@JamesBerry, je m'en doutais un peu. Et... une version française, "it's possible " ? 😉😆

@JamesBerry 4 жыл бұрын

Hahah j'aimerais bien mais malheureusement je n'ai pas le temps de pouvoir refaire en français :s