Snapshots from the Studio | Leather Handled Linen Tote

I’ve been wanting do make a large tote in hand dyed linen lately. One of the hardest parts of any bag is the handle, so I’ve been investigating using leather for the handles – more expensive material wise, but it should save time on construction, that the final add to the cost of the bag should even out. So I ordered some 1″ wide leather from a All Leather Supplies on Etsy, some rivets, a punch and a rivet set and got to work!

Here’s the colors I chose:

The bag exterior after I quilted it:

Then I put some birdies on:

Assembled the inside with some pockets:

I assembled the bag and then geared myself up for installing the handles:

I practiced first:

Then went out to the garage for moral support from hubby. I was so intent on marking the hole placement on the bag properly that once I did, I did this:

Yep, that’s a rivet holding absolutely NO HANDLE AT ALL! GAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hubby to the rescue:

Stay tuned for the final bag!!!!