Oberlin Tote

Market Tote

The Oberlin

CONFIDENT BEGINNER

A stylish, functional take on the classic market tote—complete with pockets!

BAG MAKER KITS

All of the ingredients you need to make this bag. (Includes PDF pattern + paper template.)

Bag Maker Kits

Designed to set you up for success with luxe materials, crystal-clear instructions, and seriously professional results.

Oberlin - Seasonal Bag Maker Kit - OBE - BLA - BLA - CHEST - BRA - Maker Kit - Klum House

New

Oberlin - Seasonal Bag Maker Kit

All of the materials you need to make this bag.

$150.00

Unit price: per

$150.00

Unit price: per

🌈 CUSTOM COLORS

New

Oberlin - Custom Bag Maker Kit

All of the materials you need to make this bag.

$150.00

Unit price: per

$150.00

Unit price: per

Oberlin - Full Maker Kit Pendleton® Wool

All the ingredients you need to make this bag.

from $170.00

Unit price: per

from $170.00

Unit price: per

Oberlin - Full Maker Kit (Seconds) - OB - MYSTERY - B - NO - THREAD - Maker Kit - Klum House

25% off

Oberlin - Full Maker Kit (Seconds)

All of the B-grade materials you need to make this bag.

Regular price ~~$150.00~~ $112.50 25% off

Unit price: per

Regular price ~~$150.00~~ $112.50 25% off

Unit price: per

LEATHER + HARDWARE KITS

Everything but the fabric. (Pattern sold separately.)

Prefer to use your own fabric?

Pre-cut leather + strong hardware that adds a touch of ✨— complete the kit with your fabric & a pattern.

Oberlin Tote - Chestnut Leather + Hardware Kit

All the leather + hardware, minus the fabric!

$52.00

Unit price: per

$52.00

Unit price: per

Oberlin Tote - Black Leather + Hardware Kit

All the leather + hardware, minus the fabric!

$52.00

Unit price: per

$52.00

Unit price: per

INSTRUCTION

Choose how you'd like to learn! (Full maker kit + online class include PDF pattern.)

Patterns + Classes

Illustrated, crystal-clear teaching patterns + on-demand video classes with Ellie as your guide.

Oberlin - Online Class

On-demand videos with Ellie's pro tips.

$49.00

Unit price: per

$49.00

Unit price: per

Oberlin - Pattern

Crystal-clear illustrated pattern in paper or pdf.

from $19.00

Unit price: per

from $19.00

Unit price: per

Oberlin Expansions PDF

Zipper Closure + Lining expansion PDF pattern + video tutorials.

from $10.00

Unit price: per

from $10.00

Unit price: per

Oberlin Pendleton® Wool Expansion PDF

Crystal-clear illustrated expansion pattern.

from $5.00

Unit price: per

from $5.00

Unit price: per

EXPANSIONS

Add features to your bag! (Purchase separately or add to your kit.)

Expansions

Level up your bag by adding an expansion! It's designed to work in tandem with your main project as an add-on.

Oberlin Expansions PDF

Zipper Closure + Lining expansion PDF pattern + video tutorials.

from $10.00

Unit price: per

from $10.00

Unit price: per

Oberlin Pendleton® Wool Expansion PDF

Crystal-clear illustrated expansion pattern.

from $5.00

Unit price: per

from $5.00

Unit price: per

Oberlin - Chestnut Zipper Closure Kit

Leather + hardware kit for zipper expansion.

$25.00

Unit price: per

$25.00

Unit price: per

Oberlin - Black Zipper Closure Kit

Leather + hardware kit for zipper expansion.

$25.00

Unit price: per

$25.00

Unit price: per

TOOLS + SUPPLIES

Not sure what you'll need? Download the tools + supplies list below.

Tools + Supplies

Hand-selected specialty + essential tools curated for every bag maker’s toolbox.

Rivet Removal Tool - RRTOOL - Tools - Klum House

🙌 KH FAVE

Rivet Removal Tool

Remove rivets without fuss. Save when bundled!

from $48.00

Unit price: per

from $48.00

Unit price: per

Poly Punching Board

Use under punching tools. Save when bundled!

$9.00

Unit price: per

$9.00

Unit price: per

Bakelite Mallet - BAKE - MAL - Tools - Klum House

🙌 KH FAVE

Bakelite Mallet

Non-rubber mallet for setting + punching. Save when bundled!

$39.00

Unit price: per

$39.00

Unit price: per

Double-Cap Rivet Setter

Preserves the roundness of the rivet cap when hand-setting rivets.

from $4.00

Unit price: per

from $4.00

Unit price: per

Steel Fabric Roller - STEELROLLER - Tools - Klum House

🙌 KH FAVE

Steel Fabric Roller

Press crips, even folds in fabric without heat. Save when bundled!

$38.00

Unit price: per

$38.00

Unit price: per

Drive Punch

For punching holes in fabric & leather.

from $11.00

Unit price: per

from $11.00

Unit price: per

Denim Needles

Professional-grade needles for sewing thick fabrics on home machines.

$6.25

Unit price: per

$6.25

Unit price: per

Edgestitch Presser Foot

Helps you sew straight stitches along fabric edges or seams.

$19.00

Unit price: per

$19.00

Unit price: per

Craft Clips

Hold multiple layers of thick fabric when straight pins won't cut it.

$8.00

Unit price: per

$8.00

Unit price: per

🙌 KH FAVE

Nonstick Needles

Awesome for sewing waxed canvas to prevent gumming up your needle!

$8.00

Unit price: per

$8.00

Unit price: per

5" x 5" Non-Slip Quilting Ruler

Precise, non-slip & easy-to-read ruler for accurate cutting + marking.

$16.00

Unit price: per

$16.00

Unit price: per

Bag Sewing Toolkit - BAG - SEW - TOOLKIT - RULERS - PINS - DENIM - CLIP - JIG - RIP - AWL - PENCIL - Sewing - Klum House

🔥 BUNDLE & SAVE

11% off

Bag Sewing Toolkit

All the essential sewing tools for bag making.

Regular price ~~$112.00~~ $100.00 11% off

Unit price: per

Regular price ~~$112.00~~ $100.00 11% off

Unit price: per

Tapered Awl

To make holes in fabric as an alternative to a ³⁄₃₂" drive punch.

$11.00

Unit price: per

$11.00

Unit price: per

5" x 20" Non-Slip Quilting Ruler

Precise, non-slip & easy-to-read ruler for accurate cutting + marking.

$33.00

Unit price: per

$33.00

Unit price: per

Download the Tools + Supplies List

THE OBERLIN TOTE

Online Class

50% OFF WITH A KIT

Learn to make your Oberlin with Ellie, the designer, from the comfort of your home sewing machine. The step-by-step on-demand videos are great for visual learners and those who could use a confidence boost.

😍 Maker Stories

Let me say— I. Love. This. Bag. Spent so much time and love (and swear words) making this Oberlin Tote for my mom's Xmas present."

@thanks.i.made.this

"I’m very happy with my finished tote and truly enjoyed the process. I felt confident in what I was doing and learned a new skill (the edge stitch presser foot - what a dream!). The pieces came together quickly, and I was impressed with how my interior pocket and zipper expansion turned out!"

@newcityknits

"I love this bag so much, I immediately made a second one...Such a great bag for carrying the seven hundred things I take into work"

@nevernotknitting78

"Everything feels luxe: the waxed canvas, buttery leather, and beautiful hardware. It was a joy to make throughout the whole assembly process. From start to finish, having all the supplies at my fingertips made this project immensely satisfying."

@danicadoesit

"I don’t want to call this a tote because it's much more elevated—an accessory I'll build entire fall outfits around. The Oberlin maker kit includes high-quality pieces, which are hard to source without buying in bulk. I've never had that VIP experience before, but I could get used to it!"

@sewnorth

FAQS

Questions about the Oberlin? We've got you covered.

The Oberlin Tote is our stylish, rugged take on the classic market tote. Perfect for Confident Beginners, this project is ideal for those ready to take the next step in building their skills. You'll tackle leather straps, French seams, and create an interior zipper pocket. The result? A strong, versatile tote that can carry your laptop, books, groceries, or whatever else you need throughout your day. Ready to make a bag that works as hard as you do? Let's do this.

What are its key features?
• Sturdy leather straps attached with rivets
• Magnetic snap closure
• Interior zipper pocket
• Exterior pocket compartments
• Extra-strong reinforced base
• Optional lining and zipper closure add-on

What making paths are available?
1. Bag Maker Kit: All materials you need to make this bag
2. Leather + Hardware Kit: All the leather and hardware minus the fabric (Pattern sold separately)
3. Pattern (PDF or Paper): For sourcing your own materials
4. Online Class: Step-by-step video guidance from the pattern's designer
5. Lining and Zipper Add-on: Pattern expansion for added functionality

The zipper closure and lining expansions are an awesome way to level up your Oberlin Tote. The zipper keeps your stuff secure, while the lining adds structure and a fun pop of color or print to the inside of your bag.

The Oberlin Tote is confident beginner pattern with a lot of features and skill-building already, so it's a great project on its own. But if you're ready for more of a challenge, the expansions are a perfect way to up your game.

The expansions do mean juggling two sets of instructions and tackling more advanced techniques, like installing a zipper. But with the included video-guided instructions, you've got what you need to make a tote that's 100% you.

The Oberlin Tote is a Confident Beginner-level bag making project. The finished bag may look hella professional, but don't let that intimidate you! Even if you're newish to sewing bags, you'll do great. Be sure you have all of the correct tools on hand, and we also highly recommend signing up for the Oberlin online class, as Ellie's video instructions are super helpful for visual learners and anyone who could use an extra post of confidence