Leather laptop bag tutorial

THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT

To complete the tutorial you will need:

• 1 leather skin of 0.95 m2 minimum (be careful, each skin is unique, we cannot guarantee a surface, please contact us), quite flexible, 1.2 mm thick
• 6 aged brass press studs - diameter 12 mm
• 4 round bag feet - aged brass - 12 mm
• 4m of flat lace in tinted round leather - diam 3 mm - black
• 60 cm of strand for bag handle - diam 8 mm
• 100% polyester cord "Au Chinois" - BLACK 180
• Saddler needle - Round end - Size 002
• 3 and 5 mm round knockout punches
• Set of 12 mm press studs
• Ertalon plate for fitting accessories and knocking handle
• Striking claw - 4 points diamond tip - center distance 5.1 mm
• 1 dry point compass
• Neoprene glue for leather
• silver pencil

1. ASSEMBLE AND CUT

• Print the pattern. This one was created for a 14-inch laptop. (For a smaller or larger computer, the pattern will have to be adjusted).
• With tape, assemble parts 1 to 8 and parts 11 and 12 together. You end up with 2 main parts + parts 9 and 10. Make the 3 and 5 mm holes mentioned on the pattern.
• Using the silver pencil trace the 4 pieces on the leather as well as the holes (piece 10 in 8 copies).
• Cut out the pieces using a ruler and a cutter (use a rotary cutter for rounded shapes).

The pencil is erasable on most leathers with a simple eraser (do not use on vegetable tanned leather). We advise you to do a test beforehand to validate the erasable function on your leather.

2. GLUE PIECE N°11-12

• Put double-sided on the back (crust side) of the 11/12 piece (rectangle of 25 x 36 cm) and position it on the flower side (leather) of the main piece (at the place of the 3/4 pieces ).
• Do the same with part 9 (mouse pad) and position it on the crust side of the main part (on the dotted lines of part 1).

The little +: if you decide to finish the edge (step n°9), we recommend that you make the edges of part 9 and the upper and lower edge of part n°11/12 before gluing them on the main room.

3. HAND SEWING (ACCESSIBLE TO BEGINNERS - EASY SEWING)

• Using a double glove stitch seam on the leather: assemble piece 11/12 and piece 9 on the main piece.
• Using a drypoint compass, make a line 5 mm from the edge all along the 2 pieces to be assembled (do not make a line on the upper edge of the 11/12 piece).
• Then with a claw and a mallet, make holes all along the line to mark the stitches.
• Sew the pieces.

The sewing steps are explained in the tutorial, you can also find the explanation on video.

The little extras :

• We decided to do decorative stitching all around the main room.
• At the very end: hammer the seam for a more advanced finish.
• If you don't feel comfortable sewing by hand, you can sew the pieces on a sewing machine (be careful, your machine must accept large thicknesses). Otherwise you can skip this step and delete part 11/12 (rectangle which will serve as a document range).

4. PASS THE 3MM ROUND LACE

• Cut the tinted round leather lace (diam 3 mm) into 3 pieces of 30 cm.
• Make 6 holes on the main part (part 2) – position of the holes indicated.
• Pass the laces and tie knots to lock them. You can then hang your cables, chargers, etc.

5. INSERT THE 6 SNAP BUTTONS

• Install the 6 press studs – 12 mm
• With the 5 mm punch, make the holes for the heads (diameter and position of the holes indicated on the pattern).
• With the 3 mm punch, make the holes for the feet (diameter and position of the holes indicated on the pattern).
• Then install the press studs with the knock handle and the installation set.

The little + : remember to place the pieces in the right direction because it will not be possible to unhook the snap button after installation.

6. GLUE 4 OF PARTS N°10

• Take 4 of the 8 pieces (n°10) and make an incision in the middle with a cutter.
• Place a foot of round bag in the incision of these 4 circles.
• Fold down the claws of the bag feet.
• Put neoprene glue behind each round and stick them on the rind side of the main piece (at the dotted line – piece n° 5-6-7-8).

These 4 small circles will support your computer so that it ventilates correctly and does not heat the leather.

The little extra : if you decide to finish the edges (step n°9), we recommend that you make the edges on these 4 pieces before gluing them on the main piece.

The little + : remember to place the pieces in the right direction because it will not be possible to unhook the snap button after installation.

7. MAKE THE SADDLEBAG HANDLES

• Put neoprene glue on the 2 handles.
• Glue 25 cm of strand, skin side, on the 2 handles.
• Fold the leather over the strand, press well and wait for the glue to dry.
• Put double-sided on the handles and wrap the flat lace (4 mm) over the entire length.

The little extra : if you want your handles to be more resistant over time, we advise you to sew them.

8. HIDE THE END OF THE LACE

To hide the end of the lace, glue the 4 other pieces n°10.

The little extra : if you decide to finish the edges (step n°9), we recommend that you make the edges on these 4 pieces before gluing them on the main piece.

9. EDGE FINISH

• Prepare the edges with a light sanding (abrasive sponge) – always sand in the same direction and at 45°.
• Apply the dye to the edge using a sponge, awl, rollerball pen, etc.
• Apply the number of coats necessary to obtain the desired result.