Bag making is like bra making – it takes time to gather the notions but once you do, the bags just ‘make themselves’.

Last month I was in Melbourne for Frocktails and at The Fabric Store they had these leather hides that I found fascinating. I wasn’t until I got home that I decided to grab a couple of these laser cut hides and make some totes using Sacotin Samba pattern.

Samba comes in 2 sizes and the wave contrast can be used for a more interesting looking tote.

What you see here is the outer bag after I sewed the leather to the contrasting base fabric. I didn’t want to waste the leather under the contrast fabric and this way, the contrast seam edge is now under the leather – it won’t fray.

As you can see, this tote has feet. I bought these bag feet online and they won’t show wear too easily. The base fabric has glitter finish so it’s kinda festive but it doesn’t scream Christmas.

Once I made a test version I decided to look for a cleaner bag handle option. The pattern is designed for rope and rings in the fabric. I decided to go with a cleaner option of white d-rings from Spotlight. The D-rings are sewing intern the bag facing.

Internally there’s a hidden zipper pocket that hides under the bag facing. The magnetic closure goes in easily and I reinforce the fabric by adding a piece of fleece under the clasp to keep it secure.

The bag pattern does have a patch pocket that is very handy.

I did need to use clips to hold the leather together for sewing. The other tool I used was a Teflon foot to sew the seams easily. This is such a great investment.

I’m preparing 2 Christmas hampers and using these bags as the containers for these goodies.

This skyline print bag was my test version for using the wave shape for the main print.

This version also has bag feet and a magnetic clasp. The handles use O-rings and metal clips but I still need to get metal studs to secure the bag strap ends.

More online shopping is required – right?