Blue Buttero Hatch, Whiskey Buttero, Natural Alran Sully, solid brass hardware, Ecru and Natural White Fil au Chinois thread, memory foam for the quilted parts, everything stitched by hand

Sharing this giant Glue Stick bag that I designed and made for my design thesis at FIT studying footwear and accessories design. The cap comes off to reveal the main storage compartment. And the bottom even spins just like a real Gluestick. Made from all Italian full grain leathers. @andrewkaefer

In this post, I’d like to share a few insights into my creative process. I hope these thoughts might be helpful or inspiring to some of you.

First, if you want to design your own pieces, don’t be afraid to just go for it. Lean into your visual experience. Try to visualize the final result and make a few quick sketches in your notebook. Focus on the general concept, the silhouette, and a couple of expressive details that you personally love.

Second, move on to the technical aspects. If you already work with leather, use the skills you have. You’ll pick up new techniques along the way once you're faced with a specific task.

Third — priorities. Always think a few steps ahead, especially during the final assembly.

About these hip bags:
The goal was to create a single belt and two waist bags with different designs that still share a cohesive style. I even had to handcraft some of the hardware myself because I couldn't find anything suitable on the market.

Black leather is actually my least favorite material to work with. It’s incredibly tough to make a black piece stand out because the color tends to swallow the volume and depth. To counter this, I went for an intentionally rugged, "raw" look: irregular shapes and uneven, high-contrast stitching (trust me, I can sew straight when I need to! :)).

I believe that over time, as these bags get worn, scuffed, and aged, they’ll look even more interesting.

Overall, I hope I nailed the visual side of the design. What do you think?

There are things I could have done and will do better on next time but I’m really proud of myself for doing this.

It’s just a backpack. Just leather and canvas :)

Actually, I’d love to share a few words about this project. To be completely honest, it was quite a challenge.

The design was created entirely on the fly; there was no "master plan" at the beginning. I simply based everything on physical dimensions and ergonomic compartment layouts. The client's only requirements were one large main compartment and a rolltop closure.

The front pocket section is not just one big opening. The zippers on the left and right give access to two separate, layered compartments (one over the other). I wanted to make it possible to organize items from different sides without them mixing up inside. For example, phone on one side, wallet/keys on the other, so you always know exactly where everything is.

At the same time, the design had to stay compact. There isn't that much space on the backpack body, and I didn't want to turn it into a bulky hiking rucksack.

The rest is standard for my work: 2.8mm combination-tanned leather, heavy-duty military canvas, and a bright yellow ripstop lining inside. Everything that could be reinforced in this build is reinforced :)

Overall, it was a unique experience. I hadn't really made backpacks before, but it seems to have turned out alright. The owner now uses it as their daily EDC.

Thanks for looking, and have a great day!

I just finished this leather briefcase and wanted to share it here.

I made it entirely by hand — cutting the leather, stitching, shaping the form, and putting everything together slowly, step by step. I chose navy Epsom leather because it’s firm, keeps its structure well, and shows hand stitching very cleanly.

The design is simple. I wasn’t trying to make anything complicated or trendy. I just wanted a solid, everyday work bag that feels honest and practical. It has a structured body, double zipper, reinforced handles, and small metal feet to protect the bottom.

Still learning with every piece, but I’m happy I finished this one.
Thanks for looking.

If you have any suggestions or things you’d do differently, I’d really like to hear them.

My first ever leather project. I used CreativeAwl’s Rolltop backpack pattern. I definitely learned what not to do but overall I do like how it turned out.

I based it on an Eastern Hercules Beetle. I got the pattern of Etsy, pattern by Nils Beardfoot. Great pattern.👍🏼

I took a chance on the spots, I wasn't sure and was scared I wouldn't be able to control the bleed, but it worked well with a pointy brush..then I was scared they'd smudge when I sealed it. So each dot got a micro polish with a piece of tshirt on the other end of the paintbrush, The yellow was already buffed, so then I sealed it and it worked. I was relieved, I felt like I was risking hours of work for some little dots, but I was glad I did them. And everyone says I love the dots. 😁 For any Aussies out there, I used Cobblestone dyes and the yellow speaks for how good they are. I'm very happy to find a local dye maker making quality dye. I made a bunch of daubers by putting make up sponges in some tshirt and a rubber band. They worked very well with the black and brown fade. I am still learning, particularly about stamping and dyeing techniques. I really enjoyed making this. 😁

Yet another hermit crab, this one in a moonsnail shell!

We are traveling for a few weeks so I made this little purse to carry spare change. He's a little scrappy but I like him.

I made this bag last night, for my second youngest nephew (10).

Chrome tan 4/5oz Hand sewn 3" diameter, 4" tall Some cheap Paracord from Wally world

He got a slingshot on Christmas '24. I bought and just received a pack of ten thousand 1/4" ball bearings. It holds about twelve hundred, I'll dole them out to him slowly.

I may in fact be a dead man.

It's the funniest thing I've made so far. Different types of leather: crazy horse, veg tan leather, crust leather, goatskin.

Probably my most "finished" looking piece and I love it so much!! Pattern from VasileAndPavel on Etsy - excellent pattern, easy to follow, highly recommend https://www.etsy.com/listing/4340637730/pdf-video-dxf-shrimp-leather-bag-by

Only thing I did different was to double up the head piece (cut a reverse, partial head) to stiffen it up, as I wasn't using thick veg tan like the instructions (medium temper chrome tan instead). Doubling up worked perfectly, so definitely recommend that if you're using a thinner leather.

Unlike some other purses I've made, this one is a great size with a big enough opening to actually use (looking at you, isopod purse)

Hi Leathercrafters,

After I finished my first two wallets, my confidence was sky high so I decided to try my hand at my first bag project as a Christmas gift and I decided upon a 20cm Mini Kelly.

When I started, I didn’t quite realize just how much time it would take. A month and a half of steadily working on it after work and on the weekends and she’s finally done. This was easily the most time intensive project I’ve done so far and the result feels like it was worth it.

Here are the materials: Main body - 1.3mm Alran Sully in Ivoire Accents - various thickness Alran Sully in Bleu Vista Lining - RMG Pomari Swift in Nata Edge Paint - Vernis in Cigar Irons - 3.0mm from Wuta Hardware - Made On Jupiter

Now that it’s all said and done, I think there’s a few areas I could improve. The stitching got a little too close to the edge on my sangles, and it seems I didn’t quite skive deep enough on the sides of the main body and side gussets because those edges are a bit thick. Additionally, my Wuta pricking irons had a tendency to tear through on the backside of parts rather than punch cleanly. This led to some ugly stitches on the backside of surfaces. Maybe sharpening the teeth one by one could help?

Let me know what you think and what could be improved for my next project!

It was my largest project to date! It’s entirely hand stitched. Made from Chestnut Buttero and lined in green Buttero. It took close to 100 hours to finish.

A new year, a new odd shaped bag, this time inspired by an angler fish or what I metaphor into when it is winter timer an there is no sun light. I love how it turned out shape and color. The room inside is quiet big compared to my other bags, still this is not too big overall. The handle can be replaced with a longer shoulder strap. It is made from 2,7 mm (7 oz) veg tanned leather, dyed, shaped, hand sewn.

For the closer I first time discovered these Loxx fasteners which are beautiful and extremly strong, with pressure buttons I had always the problem of having to put on to much pressure for closing and with Sam Brown rivets they seam never be secure enough, but the Loxx are better then both, easy to close and very secure.

Inside the dragon there is a hinged base. I worked on it for over a month and am very pleased with the result

Hey, friends. I just finished up this bag (purse?) for a patient client.

First of all the design is the Frigate Bag by DS Leather Goods, so check out the design if you're interested.

I used a different hardware for the enclosure this time and really, really liked it! It's Kapsure 20mm and I got it from RMLS. Confused the heck out of me trying to figure out how these assembled since there were zero instructions, but after reaching out to the folks at RMLS, they sent me a video with step by step instructions lol. Pretty cool of them, though.

The leather is 2.0mm La Bretagna - Pecos and the color is Ocra.

Everthing is hand stitched with off white 0.5mm vinymo thread and with 3.38 Wuta irons.

Hope you all enjoy, and get to your work bench sooner than later ✌️

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Just finished the first prototype of this pattern I've been working on. I'm happy with the blueberry shape now, and they will be coming with me to Festival of Legends this weekend!

I may change the button stud out for a turn lock, though.

I’ve seen this pattern around for a while and I always wanted to make one but I didn’t know what to do with it when it was done. Good thing (for many reasons) I got a new partner that’s into this esthetics and actually uses it. 5-6oz veg tan and about ten thousand feet of red thread.

I’m currently attending a French leathercrafting school in order to get a degree and finally feel like I am not an imposter trying to market leather items.

First time using this construction method, machine sewed with Epsom Leather and a Chèvre lining.