This course is for people who don’t want to just make bags, but want to understand how bags work — and design their own with confidence.

Together, we’ll go through bag construction, learn how to build patterns for your own designs, explore materials, and master the techniques that help your bags look clean and professional — without the homemade look.

The goal of this course is to help your designer vision blossom and shine

To give you the confidence to create freely, without being limited by ready-made patterns, and to become truly you in your work. Whether you want to create bags for yourself, your family and friends, or dream of starting your own line, this course is here to help you become a confident designer and maker.

What this course is about: First and foremost, this is a Bag Design course.

Along the way, you’ll also learn:

how to choose materials for the result you want,

how to plan assembly order instead of guessing,

and the techniques that remove the familiar “homemade” look, when something feels off, but you can’t explain why.

This is not a bundle of ready-made patterns — it’s an understanding of what’s behind them.

Stop copying and start creating.

You are saving: months of mistakes, wasted materials, wrong product decisions.

Who this course is for

This course is for you if you:

❂ want to design your own bags instead of following someone else’s patterns,

❂ feel limited by templates and want creative freedom,

❂ want your bags to look clean, balanced, and professional,

❂ are tired of trial and error and want clarity.

You don’t need an industrial machine.

You don’t need years of experience.

You need the system.

How the course works

❂ Watch prerecorded lessons at your own pace.

❂ Ask questions in the course chat anytime.

❂ Join weekly Zoom calls (Thursday–Friday) to discuss design and technique questions.

❂ Right after enrollment I'll send you a leather samples kit to test your sewing machine (free for my Sparkles, USA delivery included)

❂ You have my personal guidance on choosing leather specifically for the bags you want to make in the course

You’re supported throughout the process — while learning to think independently.

Course structure

The course consists of three parts.

Part 1. Techniques

My forte is working with leather and really feeling it.

In this part, we focus on the techniques that make bags look intentional and professional.

You’ll learn:

how to choose leather, lining, and structure materials,

how to reinforce bags correctly,

the core skills that remove the homemade look.

These techniques are practiced throughout the entire course, so they become second nature — not just theory.

Part 2. Design & Pattern Making

This part is about learning how bags are designed.

We cover:

• how to go from a 3D idea to a flattened 2D pattern,

• how to build bags in the size you actually need,

• how to resize and adjust patterns,

• when and why to make a prototype,

• how to place tote handles correctly,

• seam allowances and construction logic.

This is where understanding replaces guessing.

Part 3. Practice Projects

We work through bag projects together — from idea to finished product.

You’ll learn:

•how to build a pattern,

•how to understand and adjust assembly order,

•how to handle complications when they appear. Nothing is skipped. Everything is explained.

Important to know

✔ We’ll be together for the first 6–8 weeks, starting January 8.

✔ We’ll have weekly Zoom meetings to catch up on your questions and designs.

✔ If you’re in the TopBagMaker tier, we’ll work together for 6 weeks.

✔ If you’re in the Bag Designer (Advanced) tier , we’ll work together for 8 weeks.

✔ All course materials come with unlimited access with no expiration date, so you can move at your own pace and revisit lessons anytime.uniquely positioned to provide this solution.

Course Schedule

Click on a week to see the details.

  • Week 0: Leather & Tools — Preparation

    • Leather Chapter available right after enrollment

    💌 I’ll contact you shortly after the enrollment to get your shipping address and send you the leather samples kit to check what leathers your sewing machine likes to work with

    • Tools module opens January 1

    • A minimum tool set is enough for the course

  • Week 1: Materials & Core Skills — Opens January 8

    → Materials: Lining and Reinforcement for slouchy and structured bags,

    → Core skills:

    • tracing

    • cutting

    • gluing

    • stitching on a home and professional sewing machines (theory + practice)

    Week 1 projects:

    → Cutting fringe and making a tassel (perfect practice for clean, confident cutting)

    → Choose one beginner-friendly project (about 2 hours):

    • unlined pouch with closed-end zipper

    • flat wristlet

    • pencil case

    You can choose one to make during week 1 and all others stay in your library for future reference.

  • Week 2 Design, pattern making and assembly order and Your first bag — Opens January 15

    • Pattern making theory and practice,

    • Assembly order (scroll to the full program below to check the details),

    • Introduction to zip closures for lined bags,

    • Straps and bottoms,

    • 7 most popular pockets library

    Week 2 project:

    a lined bag with separate leather bottom

    Available variations to make it perfect for you:

    You can choose from several sizes, and you’ll learn pattern-making and resizing techniques along the way.

    The top can be made from waxed canvas, wool, or leather.

    zip closure: with closed ends, with zip closure open at one end or put a magnet if you like it more,

    You can choose a shoulder or crossbody strap and add any pocket from the pockets library to create a truly perfect everyday bag.

    My assistance in the course chat is included if you have any questions about adjusting the pattern or anything else.

  • Week 3: Catching up and additional Design & Pattern Making module for tier 2 Advanced — January 15–22

    Rest & catch-up week

    Finish projects

    Decide on sizes

    Prepare materials

    Ask questions and get guidance

    This week exists so you don’t rush.

    Bag designer tier 2 Advanced also get access to the additional Design & Pattern Making module:

    Pattern making for moon / crescent shapes

    Camera bags (rectangular & round)

    Backpacks

    Adding a flap to any shape

    Cambridge messenger bag

    Travel duffle with pockets

    Boston-style duffle

    Oval-bottom bags

    Fanny packs

  • Week 4: Straight Tote/Hobo/Crossbody — January 29

    Again, we don't just follow one project all together but adjust it for your needs.

    ❂ You’ll have three models to choose from to make the one that fits you best, and others two will be there for your future reference.

    • Straight shape with recessed zip closure,

    • Straight tote with closed zip ends (that cute west-east vibe if you like it!)

    • 3-piece tote with waxed canvas to and leather bottom.

    We can adjust:

    •the size,

    • to add lining or not (you already will know the techniques by then :)

    • add magnet instead of zipper,

    • stitched in or riveted strap

  • Week 5: Hobo/Crossbody with wide stitched-in strap and rolled edge — February 5

    The contemporary design with the overlapped body stitching,

    rolled edge,

    separate bottom,

    stitched in wide strap.

    Again, I'll be making the bag and showing you all the techniques, and you are more than welcome to adjust the size for you.

    I'll be there to help you with the pattern adjustments and assembly if you'd like to change something.

  • Week 6: Your own design project — February 12

    Create a bag based on your idea, with my guidance on pattern and assembly order. If this will feel like too much, you can choose any project from the course library.

  • Weeks 7-8: Special for Bag Designer Advanced tier

    We'll pick the bag you - the students of the tier 2 Bag Designer Advance - want the most will pick and we'll make it.

    Also, it's the time for your personal projects: whenever you wanted to create a bag design, you'll get my consulting and advice on 2 more bags you wanted to make.

  • Bonus: Create & Sell mini-course

    As my Sparkle, you'll get access to the mini course "Sell & Create" to make sure that your Instagram is ready for your first clients and growth.

Choose the level that fits your goal

I would hate to sell you more than you actually need. That’s why the course is divided into tiers

Honestly, if you want to start making bags, learn the most popular shapes, improve your techniques, start selling, and show up on social media — take the Top Bag Maker. It has a great program, everything is explained. The program goes from simple to more complex, so each project feels like a natural next step.

But if you’re ready to learn it all, to have the whole system in your head — what, where, and how — and especially if you want to start your own line, and make very original designs then take the Bag Designer tier, because it includes more pattern making and 2 personal consultations from me about your designs (week 7-8).

Tier 2 is not for everyone, and that’s okay.

Top Bag Maker

tier 1

This level is right for you if you:

• want to start making bags but don’t know where to begin,

• want to make bags for yourself, friends, or as gifts — and want them to look good,

• already make bags but feel your technique needs a serious upgrade.

After this level, you will:

❂ feel confident working with any pattern,

❂ be able to resize and adjust patterns,

❂ understand zippers, straps, and bottoms,

❂ make bags that look clean and professional.

Includes:

❂ techniques,

❂ straight and angled shape pattern making ,

❂ making 5 bags together

❂ 6 weeks of working with me

❂ weekly Zoom meetings,

❂ a sales component

$390 - Choose TopBagMaker: tier 1

Bag Designer (advanced)

tier 2

This level is about becoming a diverse designer.

Choose this tier if you:

• are tired of following other people’s patterns,

• want to design original bags of any shape,

• want to develop your own style,

• want to be known as a designer, not just a maker.

Includes:

❂ everything from TopBagMaker tier 1,

❂ pattern making for any shape,

❂ learning how to see the core shape and build a pattern around it,

❂ making 7 bags together, including 3 your bags designs

❂ 8 weeks of working with me

❂ weekly Zoom meetings (8 total),

❂ a sales component

This is where ideas in your head turn into real designs.

$550 - Become a Bag Designer

Money-back guarantee

The course officially starts on January 8.
Some materials are available immediately after enrollment, and the rest open during the first week.

If you feel the course isn’t right for you — the pace feels off, expectations don’t match, or for any reason at all — please contact me before January 15, before Week 2 begins, and I’ll take care of it.

The next course will start in the middle of March 2026, once my studio is back from Paris Fashion Week.

I’ll never push you. I truly believe I’ve prepared a really strong program, and if you’re ready, it’ll be my pleasure to teach you. By the beginning of February, your bags will look completely different from how they look today.

And if early January doesn’t feel like the right time, I’ll be very happy to see you in March.

What my students say 🥰

online bag course review

Check the program

I still remember the excitement of creating my very first bag. It wasn’t perfect — in fact, it looked pretty amateurish — but it sparked something I couldn’t ignore. Over time, that hobby grew into my career as a bag designer and maker. Today, it’s my honor to share the techniques I’ve learned with you.

When I first started, my biggest fear was wasting money on tools I’d never use or choosing the wrong materials (and the wrong leather can be a pretty expensive mistake). I went through many missteps and turnarounds while honing my skills, but each mistake taught me something important. Now it’s my joy to help you avoid those costly detours and instead focus on the fun of creating.

The best part? You don’t need fancy or expensive equipment to begin. Every project is designed to work with a simple home sewing machine and tools you most likely already have at home. Everything here is built to help you start without fear of making the wrong investments — just the joy of creating something beautiful and lasting with your own hands.

A bit about me

Ksenia Khelman

I run the show :D

Hi there, my name is Ksenia Khelman, and I'm a handbag designer and maker. I'm self-taught and crafted my first bag in 2008 by accident: my favorite bag fell apart, and since it wasn't available on the market anymore, I decided to remake it myself. For a few years, it was a hobby and a side hustle, as I balanced it with my regular job. However, in 2017, I made the decision to pursue crafting full-time. I quit my job and embarked on my journey as a full-time artist. Since then, I've been making a living by creating custom handmade leather bags from scratch. My small business is thriving, with clients from all over the world. The Khelman bag studio is located in San Francisco, CA, and currently, over 1500 happy customers own and enjoy their Khelman bags.

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