Gator Embossed Leather Purse

An elegant, minimal purse made with embossed gator belly leather and a suede lining. Its compact design allows you to carry the essentials in style. This purse is a great beginner project as minimal hardware and sewing are involved. Leather can be hand or laser-cut. This instructable uses a laser to cut all pieces and is hand-sewn using waxed polyester thread and a saddle stitch. Pattern is available at https://tinyurl.com/5dv435t9

Dimensions

8" W x 3.5" D x 6" H

Glowforge Laser https://glowforge.us/f/YPEFQACW

Gator Belly Embossed Leather from Conceria Samanta in Italy 3-4 sq ft.

https://tinyurl.com/uda3bde4

Optional- Suede Lining (pig suede used in this project)

https://maverickleathercompany.com/product/printe...

Ritza Tiger Thread 1.0 - 1.2mm - https://tinyurl.com/4zaru2wy

3/4" Heavy Weight Leather Strap Similar to: https://tinyurl.com/d97rjyvm

2- 1/2" D-Rings - https://tinyurl.com/357x6p87

1 Closure - https://tinyurl.com/d97rjyvm

Several Rivets - https://tinyurl.com/ehw4e93d

2- 3/4" Swivel Clasps- https://tinyurl.com/a46v2md9

3/4" buckle - https://tinyurl.com/3kzaddvm

Sandpaper- Various Grits

Rubber or Leather Cement - https://tinyurl.com/a46v2md9

Tools

Leather Edge Roller - https://tinyurl.com/7jhuepa8

Rivet Setting Tool - https://www.buckleguy.com/bg-rivet-snap-setter-pos...

Round Leather Punch - https://tinyurl.com/5xphfadp

Burnishing Canvas Cloth or Tool - https://tinyurl.com/ufkz6xk5

Note: some links are affiliate links

Either hand or laser cut all pieces. If you're using lining make sure to cut that as well. When cutting on the laser, I mask some of the leather with masking tape to avoid burn marks and soot dirtying the leather. In this project, I masked the suede lining before I cut it. Also, if using gator belly embossed, or similar, leather choose which way you would like to cut the grain; horizontal or vertical, maybe even diagonal?

Spread rubber cement or leather glue on both pieces. Once cement is dry, carefull place one piece on top of the other. Make sure to line them up properly. Firmly attach both pieces using a leather roller - or some flat tubular object to make sure there are no air pockets anywhere. Give glue time to adhere both pieces.

Glue lining to closure strap, if using. Attach closure hardware to strap. Remove masking on lining and attach closure to front of bag.

First, clean off any rubber cement that may be left on edges of pieces. Next, start sewing a side piece and the main body of bag. Start in the 2nd hole and back stitch once. You will do the same thing on the other end. This makes the stitch stronger and gives a symmetrical look to both sides of the bag stitching.Work your way all the way around the side. The holes in the pattern on the main body of the bag are spaced a little bit farther apart than on the sides. This is by design. It provides an "ease" or some wiggle room as the body of the bag wraps around the side and also helps create the curved bag closure. Sew other side in the same manner.

Attach the d-rings with the straps to the top of the bag using rivets. Also attach the closure strap to the front of the bag,again with a rivet. If you do not like the closure strap being able to move from side to side, an additional rivet can be added to the closure strap.

Cut 2 pieces of a 3/4" heavy weight leather strap using the template in the pattern. One piece should be about 15" long and the other, 50-60" long depending on how you like your purse to hang. If you're going to dye the strap you should do that before attaching hardware. Attach 2 swivel clasps on both ends. Attach a buckle to the end of the shorter strap and buckle holes spaced 1-1.5" apart on the end of the longer strap. Attach to your bag and adjust to your prefered length.

Edges of purse can be sanded to remove soot from lasering creating a beautiful finished look. If using a different color lining, this also highlights those colors. Start with a higher grit sandpaper and finish with a lower one for a smooth finish. A dremel tool can also be used. Once sanded, burnish the edges with canvas cloth or a wooden burnishing tool. You can apply tokonole, gum tragacanth or beeswax for a highly polished look.