April 5th - May 17th, 2023
Sold Out
INTERMEDIATE 
MAKE TIME: 6–8 hours
Beginner projects will introduce you to the basics of bag making. You'll learn to sew heavy-duty fabric, punch holes in fabric and leather, set metal rivets, and sew your first zipper!
Confident Beginner projects involve managing more pieces of fabric and leather. They'll teach you to add interior and exterior pockets and install new types of hardware, like snaps.
Intermediate projects involve a more in-depth making process. They'll teach you to work with a wider variety of tools and hardware techniques, like setting extra-strength tubular rivets.
Advanced projects are for experienced stitchers ready to invest a significant amount of time and energy into becoming a bag maker. Complex construction and seriously professionals results.
The Oberlin Tote
We will begin with a welcome Zoom and then jump right into our first project: the Oberlin Tote. Includes 13 video lessons to watch on your own time, as well as a live Zoom session with Ellie.
The Maywood Totepack
For our second project, we'll move onto the Maywood Totepack where you'll tackle more complex leather strap construction and master the art of setting industrial-strength tubular rivets! Includes 12 video lessons to watch at your own pace, as well as a live Zoom session with Ellie.
The Naito Bucket Bag
Our final project will be the Naito, a pocket-filled bucket bag with a round base and a leather strap that converts from tote to sling. For the Naito, you'll learn how to hole-punch and round end-punch your own leather pieces, creating a strap that is custom fit to your body. Includes 10 video lessons to watch at your own pace, as well as a live Zoom session with Ellie.
The Oberlin Tote
We will begin with a welcome Zoom and then jump right into our first project: the Oberlin Tote. Includes 13 video lessons to watch on your own time, as well as a live Zoom session with Ellie.
The Maywood Totepack
For our second project, we'll move onto the Maywood Totepack where you'll tackle more complex leather strap construction and master the art of setting industrial-strength tubular rivets! Includes 12 video lessons to watch at your own pace, as well as a live Zoom session with Ellie.
The Naito Bucket Bag
Our final project will be the Naito, a pocket-filled bucket bag with a round base and a leather strap that converts from tote to sling. For the Naito, you'll learn how to hole-punch and round end-punch your own leather pieces, creating a strap that is custom fit to your body. Includes 10 video lessons to watch at your own pace, as well as a live Zoom session with Ellie.
“Ellie Lum is probably the best bag making teacher you will find. Her spoken and written instructions and explanations are crystal clear, as are her patterns. She makes it possible to create something that you might otherwise have though was not possible for you.”
“I was one of the slower makers, but Ellie was so patient walking us through the whole process, especially the tricky bits. I love how she explains things, anticipates common mistakes, and helps you problem solve.”
“Great experience. I enjoyed every second and am much more confident in my abilities than I was going in. Total game changer.”
Waxed canvas is the original water-resistant fabric. It's a densely-woven cotton fabric that
has been saturated with wax, giving it an extra layer of protection. Waxed canvas shows scuffs, marks
and creases that blend into a weathered patina with age.
Our leather is sourced locally at Oregon Leather, as well as from a tannery in
Pennsylvania, and hand-selected for its quality. Our hides are cut into straps with a
hydraulic press to ensure precision and consistency. NOTE: Our tan leather might feel stiff at
first, but it will soften and darken to a lovely caramel brown with use.
Hardware can take a bag from looking homemade to truly professional—and it's not hard to
do! With a few basic tools, you'll be able to set rivets, snaps, magnetic closures and more. All of
our hardware is real metal and strong enough to hold up to years of wear and tear.
