Trendy Mini Bag

One of the many fashion trends of the last two years is the rising of mini size handbags. Many brands make a smaller version of their iconic handbag. I have designed a few versions of the micro-size bag, I am excited to share my version of a micro-size handbag that is easy to make, stylish and has enough space to carry cards, coins, and a few go-to items.
I have included the Template pattern ready to be printed on A4 paper. This bag can be made with hand stitching techniques. this technique is written at the end of the process.

precision cutting knife, rubber cement glue, metal ruler, awl, sewing threads, metal rivet

This Micro Handbag is fairly straightforward to make. The bag is constructed with 3 main parts, body, flap and top handle. Depending on the property of the leather lining and support can be added if it is too soft to form the shape. for the exterior part, I used a piece of chrome-tanned cow leather with a red embossed surface and blue backside. The thickness is about 2.2mm. I also used red goat leather for interior support.

The body is made with two identical pieces, with a magnet button. The flap is made with a single piece of stiff leather with the other half of the magnet button. The top handle is made with 2 pieces of leather bonded together.

Step ① Let us begin with cut all the pieces with a precision cutting knife.

Step② Apply glue to both parts of the handle stripes, press two pieces together firmly, bend the stripe slightly to form a curved form, this way the handle stays in nice curved shape when attached to the flap.

Pro Tip: skive the end of the stripes thinner before glue pieces together will give the handle a slender finish. (shown in photo 3,4)

Step③ Apple edge paint to the side, I applied with an awl, 3 layers of edge paint will make the finished edge rounded and smooth. (shown in photo 5,6)

Step④ trim of the interior piece, attach the magnet button to the center. I added a piece of 1.5mm veg-tan leather to add some stiffness.

Step⑤ Glue the two pieces together, don't sew it together yet. Pro Tip I burnished the edges with an electric edge creaser ( photo 4), apply edge paint afterward, the finish is a smooth beveled edge that is smooth to touch. if using veg-tan leather burnish the edge with wood burnisher and wax to achieve the best finish.

Step⑥ skive the edges thin with a sharp knife. ideally, two edges join together the thickness is around 3mm+/-0.2mm. do on both pieces of leather. (shown in photo4-5)

Step⑦ attach the magnet button to one piece of the exterior leather. Cover the backing with a piece of the lining trim approx. 30mm in width. stitch the top edge together, finish with edge paint.

Step⑧ attach the finished handle stripe to the flap, securely glue the handle onto the flap then sew them together. punch two holes to set the rivets to the handle to reinforce the stress points.

Step⑨ attached a ring to the flap(photo2), then glue the flap to the exterior body part, the one without the magnet button. sew them together.

Step⑩ apply a thin strain of glue ( 2mm) to the outside of the joining edge(photo 3).on both exterior pieces. securely join them(photo 4), sew together along the edges, avoiding the darts(photo5), on both ends finish with backstitching to reinforce the stress points.

Step⑪Fold the remaining edges together to form the shape of the bag. sew together. （photo 6-10)

Step⑫ Apply edge paint to all the exposed edges

Step⑬ attach a small chain/strap to the ring to complete the bag (photo 11)

All the sewing edges have enough space for the running foot to walk on. I personally used a cylinder arm sewing machine to make this bag, and flatbed machines that are capable of sewing leather should be okay as well. I have also included hand stitching ways to make the bag without using machines.

Hand stitching

• mark the edge with edge creaser
• punch holes with pricking iron ( I used 3.35 mm 12 teeth iron)
• use 2 needles and an awl to start saddle stitching
• finish with backstitching, bury the threads.

This bag can be styled in two ways. with a strap as a crossbody bag or carry it as a handbag. the capacity is big enough for cards and coins.