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Beginner Bag Making - Online Course

Waitlist now open!

3 reviews

BEGINNER

Join Klum House founder Ellie Lum for a trifecta of our most popular beginner bag making classes: Sewing Machine 101, the Portsmith Tote, and the Woodland Dopp Kit. You'll get access to a combination of pre-recorded videos and live Zoom sessions, an exclusive online community, plus ALL the supplies you’ll need, delivered to your home.

Beginner Bag Making is for absolute beginners who have never used a sewing machine before, as well as bag-curious sewists interested in working with waxed canvas, leather, and hardware for the first time.

Want to learn more? Watch the replay of Ellie's free "Getting Started with Bag Making" online workshop that happened live Nov 2023.

Join the waitlist to be the first to know when registration re-opens!

COLOR COLOR

Brush Brown
Spring Green
Persimmon
Gray

WHAT'S INCLUDED

This course includes:

  • Beginner Sewing Tools - Craft clips, fabric pencils, denim needles, 3/32" drive punch + board, seam ripper, double-cap rivet setter, flat-head pins, 24" x 6" ruler ($73 value).
  • 2 Full Maker Kits - Fabric, leather, hardware, + thread for the Woodland Dopp kit ($72 value) + the Portsmith Tote ($94 value).
  • 2 Patterns - A paper pattern for each bag, as well as the Woodland + Portsmith PDF patterns, so you can make again! ($33 value)
  • 4 Live Zoom Sessions - Learn directly from Ellie, the master bag maker herself! Ask questions, watch live demos, share your work. (Replays available.)
  • 15% Site-wide Discount - For the duration of the course, you'll get a reusable 15% off discount code, good on everything in Klum House’s online shop.
  • Evergreen Class Access - Evergreen access to three, pre-recorded online classes: Sewing Machine 101, Woodland Dopp Kit, and Portsmith Tote.
  • Bonus Materials - We're throwing in some helpful extras, like a troubleshooting guide, tools + supplies Lists, and bonus technique videos.
  • Online Community - Our online community is a place to meet other designers, workshop ideas, ask questions, and share your challenges and triumphs!
  • Regular Feedback - Ellie and the KH team will regularly respond to your questions in the community. Even between Zooms, you’ll be supported at every step.

A Note on Supplies:

While this course includes kits with all bag materials, students will be responsible for sourcing a sewing machine and personal studio set up.


SCHEDULE + CURRICULUM

The course will run for 3 weeks and will be broken up into three modules. Each module will include pre-recorded instructional videos to watch at your own pace and will conclude with a live Zoom session, where you’ll have a chance to troubleshoot any problems you’ve run into, ask Ellie questions, show and tell your work, and get to know your Beginner Bag Making cohort.

WELCOME: 1st WEDNESDAY - Live Zoom (Welcome!)

MODULE 1: SEWING MACHINE 101 - Week 1
2ND WEDNESDAY - Live Zoom (Sewing Machine 101)

MODULE 2: THE PORTSMITH TOTE - Week 2
3RD WEDNESDAY - Live Zoom (Portsmith)

MODULE 3: THE WOODLAND DOPP KIT  - Week 3
4TH WEDNESDAY - Live Zoom (Woodland + Closing)

MEET YOUR TEACHER

Klum House founder + pattern designer Ellie Lum has been designing and making bags professionally for over twenty years—and teaching bag making for almost as long. She’s taught thousands of students over the years and is passionate about empowering folks through hands-on skill building. Ellie’s students appreciate her laidback teaching style and crystal clear instruction. She believes in bandaids and curse words, plentiful snacks and dog cuddle breaks. Most of all, she believes in you!

Sewing Machine 101

First up, Ellie will give you a thorough introduction to your machine, totally demystifying how it works, so you can begin making with confidence. You'll get a chance to try out all your new supplies! Includes 10 video lessons to watch at your own pace, as well as a live Zoom.


YOU WILL LEARN:

  •  
  • · Basic sewing machine anatomy
  • · Different types of home sewing machines
  • · How to wind a bobbin
  • · How to thread your machine
  • · Understanding tension + timing
  • · Troubleshooting common problems
  • · How to draft and sew a simple handkerchief or cloth napkin

The Portsmith Tote 

Our second project will be the Portsmith, a classic workhorse of a tote with water-resistant waxed canvas and sturdy leather straps. You'll receive a full maker kit, with all of the materials you need. Includes 11 video lessons to watch at your own pace, as well as a live Zoom.


BAG FEATURES:

  • · Bag Dimensions: 13" H x 11" W x 5.5" D
  • · Heavy-duty, water-resistant waxed canvas
  • · Sturdy leather straps
  • · Strong metal rivets
  • · Reinforced base for extra durability
  • · Unique envelope base construction
  • · Metal D-ring to attach keys

The Woodland Dopp Kit

Make a boxy, waxed canvas zipper pouch, perfect for organizing your essentials. Learn to set rivets, attach leather, and sew your first zipper. You'll receive a full maker kit, with all of the materials you need. Includes 12 video lessons to watch at your own pace, as well as a live Zoom.


BAG FEATURES:

  •  
  • · Bag Dimensions: 9" L x 4" H x 4.5" D
  • · Heavy-duty, water-resistant waxed canvas
  • · Fully-lined with durable off-white canvas
  • · Premium leather tabs + zipper pull
  • · High-quality 12" brass YKK zipper
  • · Strong metal rivets
  • · Boxed corners for maximum carrying capacity

MODULE 1

Sewing Machine 101

First up, Ellie will give you a thorough introduction to your machine, totally demystifying how it works, so you can begin making with confidence. You'll get a chance to try out all your new supplies! Includes 10 video lessons to watch at your own pace, as well as a live Zoom.


YOU WILL LEARN:

  •  
  • · Basic sewing machine anatomy
  • · Different types of home sewing machines
  • · How to wind a bobbin
  • · How to thread your machine
  • · Understanding tension + timing
  • · Troubleshooting common problems
  • · How to draft and sew a simple handkerchief or cloth napkin

MODULE 2

The Portsmith Tote 

Our second project will be the Portsmith, a classic workhorse of a tote with water-resistant waxed canvas and sturdy leather straps. You'll receive a full maker kit, with all of the materials you need. Includes 11 video lessons to watch at your own pace, as well as a live Zoom.


BAG FEATURES:

  • · Bag Dimensions: 13" H x 11" W x 5.5" D
  • · Heavy-duty, water-resistant waxed canvas
  • · Sturdy leather straps
  • · Strong metal rivets
  • · Reinforced base for extra durability
  • · Unique envelope base construction
  • · Metal D-ring to attach keys

MODULE 3

The Woodland Dopp Kit

Make a boxy, waxed canvas zipper pouch, perfect for organizing your essentials. Learn to set rivets, attach leather, and sew your first zipper. You'll receive a full maker kit, with all of the materials you need. Includes 12 video lessons to watch at your own pace, as well as a live Zoom.


BAG FEATURES:

  •  
  • · Bag Dimensions: 9" L x 4" H x 4.5" D
  • · Heavy-duty, water-resistant waxed canvas
  • · Fully-lined with durable off-white canvas
  • · Premium leather tabs + zipper pull
  • · High-quality 12" brass YKK zipper
  • · Strong metal rivets
  • · Boxed corners for maximum carrying capacity

Frequently Asked Questions

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
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D
Dinah R.G.
Fabulous first foray

I’m so glad I found Klum House. I’d always wondered why people spent thousands of dollars on bags without knowing what went into making it. This Beginner’s Course has been an informative intro into that process. Ellie provides clear, patient instruction and guidance through each project and the supplies arrived nicely packaged and ahead of our first of many meetings. I’m shocked at what my own hands were able to create and am currently in the Intermediate Course now.

J
Julie M.
Loved It

Very informative. Great questions and answers. Can’t wait for the next ones.

W
Walter L.
Anticipation

This is in anticipation of receiving my kit, which hasn't arrived yet. Will give an honest review once received.

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