How to Sew a Structured Leather Handbag

Learn how to sew a structured leather handbag with this beginner-friendly DIY leather kit. This elegant purse kit includes pre-cut leather pieces, hardware, and step-by-step video instructions.

When this kit arrived, I had just gotten back from a trip and was feeling awful. I wasn’t really up for blogging, and I’d completely lost my voice, so recording videos or voiceovers wasn’t happening anytime soon.

What I could manage, though, was curling up under a blanket, putting on a K-drama, and working on something comfortably from my sofa. Sewing this purse ended up being kind of the perfect project for that.

I’ve really been enjoying these leather sewing kits lately. I love that I can make something beautiful without needing a workshop full of tools or a lot of leatherworking experience.

This handbag kit from Solace Leather is a little different from the softer leather bags I’ve made in the past. It’s a structured, Hermès-inspired purse with a classic design that I really liked.

Solace Leather sent me this kit to try, and I have a coupon code to share with you, too. If you’d like to make the same purse, you can use TRACY10SL at checkout for a discount. I also earn a commission if you purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you.

How difficult is it?

Even though the finished purse looks professionally made, it’s actually very beginner-friendly. You don’t need any previous leatherworking experience, and the instructions are easy to follow.

This isn’t a particularly quick project, though. I worked on it over the course of about three days, although I started late on the first day and finished before noon on the third. Between sewing, lunch breaks, getting distracted, fixing one major mistake, and occasionally stopping to do other things, I somehow made it through around ten episodes of May I Help You? while working on this purse. Of course, I wasn’t sewing continuously, so I’d consider this more of a weekend project than something you’d finish in an hour or two.

The biggest issue I ran into was completely my own fault. I was pretty sick while making this bag and apparently wasn’t paying close enough attention during one part of the assembly. I accidentally attached one of the handle pieces upside down and later had to remove the handles and redo that section of the purse. Once I went back and carefully rewatched that part of the tutorial video, though, the mistake was actually very obvious.

One funny coincidence was that May I Help You? actually had a storyline involving handmade leather bags, which seemed particularly fitting while I was working on this one.

What comes in the kit

The kit includes almost everything you need to make the purse, including the pre-cut leather pieces, waxed thread, sewing needles, hardware, and the tools needed to attach the metal pieces. The only thing I needed that wasn’t included was a lighter to melt and seal the ends of the thread after stitching.

Like the other leather kits I’ve tried, the stitching holes are already punched for you. That makes the process much less intimidating for beginners because you can focus on learning the saddle stitch and assembling the purse rather than worrying about cutting and punching leather yourself.

The leather has a textured, pebbled finish, and the front and back have different textures, which is something you’ll notice while sewing the bag together.

According to Solace Leather, the kit uses cowhide leather, with different tanning and finishing techniques depending on the specific bag design.

The leather reminded me a bit of the Kelly clutch kit I made previously. Both have a similar textured surface and a more structured, classic handbag style.

Use code TRACY10SL at checkout for a discount.

How to sew the handbag

After your kit arrives, Solace Leather sends you a link to their detailed video tutorial. It walks you through the entire process. It shows you how to thread the needles, do the saddle stitching, and put the purse together.

I’ve also made my own video showing how I put the bag together, which you can watch below.

Step 1: Sew the key strap

I started with the little leather strap that holds the decorative key. First, I sewed the key onto the narrow strap, then folded the small bow tie-shaped piece of leather over it.

Step 2: Add the decorative stitching and front hardware

Next, I added the decorative stitching around the openings on the front, back, and side pieces. Then, I sewed the front clasp into place.

Most of the sewing uses a saddle stitch, with a needle on each end of the thread. Once you get going, it’s actually pretty relaxing.

Step 3: Sew the decorative stitching on the handle and straps

Next, I added the decorative stitching to the handle and the long straps that will eventually hold the purse closed.

Step 4: Attach the handle

Next, I sewed the handle onto the top flap, along with the metal rings for the shoulder strap.

This is where I made my biggest mistake. I wasn’t paying close enough attention and accidentally sewed the handle on upside down, leaving the rings underneath instead of on top. (I wrongly assumed the flat side of the handle would face up.)

Of course, once I went back and watched that part of the tutorial again, it was obvious what I’d done wrong. I had to cut out the stitching, remove the handle, and sew everything back together the right way.

Step 5: Sew the front and back together

With the handle and decorative stitching finished, I could start putting the main part of the purse together.

I joined the front and back pieces along the bottom with a crisscross stitch. That stitching eventually gets covered by another piece of leather, so you won’t see it on the finished bag.

Step 6: Attach the bottom and sides

Next, I sewed on the leather piece that covers the bottom seam, followed by the side panels.

This was when the purse really started taking shape.

Step 7: Finish the stitching

With the main part of the purse together, I finished the remaining stitching around the top edges and flap.

Step 8: Add the finishing touches

Finally, I attached the remaining hardware, including the little feet on the bottom and the decorative lock pieces.

The metal hardware comes covered in protective plastic to keep it from getting scratched while you’re working. Once everything was attached, I peeled that off, and the purse was finished!

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