The Lady Lady Leather Pocket Crossbody is the first leather bag I sewed entirely by hand. While I am quite familiar with sewing handbags using my industrial sewing machine, sewing a bag entirely by hand is new to me. The tutorial assumes that the maker already knows how to properly hand-sew a saddle stitch (the saddle stitch is also known as the “leap-frog stitch” in some parts of North America). Since I did not know how to sew a leap-frog stitch, I looked online to find a tutorial and found several good ones; the best ones from small businesses that sell leather crafting supplies. Once I had the stitch mastered (it’s not hard to learn), I started on the Popsewing tutorial.
The tutorial adequately shows the necessary sewing order. It also offers close-up views of a few of the trickier areas. The instructions are easy enough to follow. There are, however, few issues that could improve the tutorial:
1. All the decorative stitching that can be done before construction commences, should be done at the beginning of the tutorial. Instead the tutorial goes back and forth between decorative stitching and construction stitching. (That’s like taking one step forward and two steps back).
2. The tutorial could improve instructions on how to finish the thread ends. I had to go refer back to other (North American) leather-crafting tutorials.
3. The suggested thread length for sewing on the handles is far too short. It should be five lengths instead of four.
4. The tutorial incorrectly shows the inner pocket (the pocket which is on the inside of the bag) being sewn to the right side of the leather. That is incorrect. The Inner pocket must sewn wrong side to wrong side. Otherwise you’ll either end up with the inner pocket on the back of the purse (if you don’t want to rip out your stitches) or you’ll end up with the wrong side of the top-grain leather showing on the back of the purse. And it is pretty obviously the wrong side of the leather!
Tutorial aside, the quality of the kit is excellent. The markings all line up, the thread & top-grain leather are great quality, and the sanding and painting of the leather edges are perfect. I loved making this little bag and have three more kits to try out!
Un pack completisimo y los materiales de gran calidad. Me ha encantado el resultado!!
This kit is very good, has all you need to make your bag, is very easy btw!
My mom loves sewing and crafting, so this kit was the perfect gift for her! She hasn't finished it yet. I also got a kit for my sister
