Totes Course

8 most popular totes models with PDF patterns and Step-by-Step classes. The class includes pattern making so you'll be able to make the tote of any size you want.

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Course curriculum

1. Welcome to the Totes Course!
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2. How to use this course
1. Suppliers list (reliable leather, hardware, fabrics) and suggestions on what and where to buy
2. Picking the leather: how to pick it right for your project to get the result you want
3. Weights of leather: what they feel like and what they're best suited for
4. Textures & types of leather: how different textures look like & feel like
5. What leather to pick for unlined/lined bag and how to pick the right combo leather+fabric
1. Things to check before making a tote pattern
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2. 2 approaches to pick the size & the list of the most popular sizes for bags
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3. Building a tote pattern of any size you personally want and how to convert it into 1-2-3 pieces tote
4. Practice 1.1: building a standard tote pattern taking different dimensions
5. Practice 1.2: Building a real-size tote pattern of 10"W x 11.5"H x 4.5"D (PDF pattern available)
6. Technique of building an angled tote with a designated bottom
7. Practice 1.3: Building a real-size angled tote pattern with a designated bottom size 14”Hx16”Lx6”D (PDF pattern available)
8. Approach 2: building a bag pattern based on the dimensions of the existing bag
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9. Practice 2.1: building a tote pattern based on the existing bag 13.8"H x12.2"W x11.4"D (35x31x29cm)
10. Practice 2.2: How to convert a standard tote pattern into the pattern with a designated bottom
1. PDF pattern 10W"x11.5H"x4.5D" and cutting/gluing it
2. Tote handles frames PDF pattern
3. PDF pattern Angled tote with a designated bottom 14"Hx16"Lx6"D
1. What thread to use
2. Glue and Burnishing gum
1. Basic rules of tracing a pattern on leather
2. Tracing a pattern on leather nice and easy, including what to check on hide before tracing
3. Don't forget to wipe off all the tracing marks
4. Tracing a pattern on suede
1. Intro: Materials and Tools
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2. Tracing and cutting the leather details
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3. Marking holes for the tote handles
4. Outside slide pocket 1: 3 ways of placement the pocket on the bag's body + gluing + reinforcing
5. Outside slide pocket: 2. Stitching
6. Outside slide pocket: 3. Reinforcing the pocket's top with threads
7. How we can change the shape depending on the kind of bottom stitching
8. Sides stitching
9. Stitching the depth right to have nice crossing and corners
10. Hiding the thread end on the bottom
11. Hiding the thread end on top
12. Making the nice symmetrical holes for the handles + reinforcing with leather patches
13. Cutting and attaching the handles
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14. Setting the rivets with the press
15. Congratulations on our first tote made!
1. Materials needed and 6 easy steps to make the pocket
2. 1. Tracing and cutting the leather for the pocket.
3. 2. Making the inner cut to frame the zipper in
4. 3. Reinforcing the zipper's ends and gluing the zipper
5. 4.Stitching the inner frame: Troubleshooting
6. 4. Stitching of the inner cut — the good one.
7. 5.Placement & reinforcement: 5.1 Placing and gluing the pocket
8. 5.Placement & reinforcement: 5.2 Reinforcing the pocket on the bag's body
9. 6.Stitching the outside edges
10. Knots and making a leather zip puller
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1. Introductory
2. 1. Skiving the edges
3. 2.1 The first side: inside stitching
4. 2.2. The first side: inside gluing
5. 2.3. The first side: Outside stitching
6. 3.1 The second side: inside stitching
7. 3.2. The second side: inside gluing
8. 3.3 The second side: Outside stitching on one side
9. 3.4. The second side: Outside stitching on another side
10. 4.1. Bottom: Gluing
11. 4.2. Bottom: depth stitching
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1. Coming soon
1. 1. Gluing & stitching the lining to the leather body
2. 2. Securing the inside pockets and making the body one nice smooth piece
3. 3. Working with the lining's top
4. 4. Making the gussets ready
5. 5. Gluing the 1st gusset to the body
6. 6. Gluing the 2nd gusset to the body

About this course

$175.00
73 lessons

Khelman Bags Academy

Totes Course

Course curriculum

Welcome to the Totes

Leather & Fabric: choose them knowing what you're doing

Pattern making: A design you want in the size you need

PDF patterns to download

Useful tools and supplies

Practice core skills before making: Tracing a pattern on leather

Tote N1: classic unlined tote with outside leather slide pocket

Outside Leather zippered pocket for Tote N2

Tote N3: Market 3-pieces tote with closed-ends zip closure

6-in-1 Tote N4: with front/back seams and rolled top

6-in-1 Tote N5: 3 pieces with waxed canvas top, slide canvas pockets and zip closure

6-in-1 Tote N6: 2-pieces tote with decorative outside double stitching on the sides. Advanced.

"Book" type tote: with the designated side and top inserts

Angled tote with the top zip closure

Bonus class: How to make wrapped edges for unlined & lined bag

About this course