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.)
Oberlin - Seasonal Bag Maker Kit
All of the materials you need to make this bag.
$150.00
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$150.00
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Oberlin - Custom Bag Maker Kit
All of the materials you need to make this bag.
$150.00
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$150.00
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Oberlin - Full Maker Kit Pendleton® Wool
All the ingredients you need to make this bag.
$170.00
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$170.00
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Oberlin - Bag Maker Kit (Seconds)
All of the B-grade materials you need to make this bag.
Regular price
$150.00
$112.50
25% off
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Regular price
$150.00
$112.50
25% off
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LEATHER + HARDWARE KITS
Everything but the fabric. (Pattern sold separately.)
Oberlin Tote - Chestnut Leather + Hardware Kit
All the leather + hardware, minus the fabric!
$52.00
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$52.00
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Oberlin Tote - Black Leather + Hardware Kit
All the leather + hardware, minus the fabric!
$52.00
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$52.00
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INSTRUCTION
Choose how you'd like to learn! (Full maker kit + online class include PDF pattern.)
$49.00
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from $19.00
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Oberlin Expansions PDF
Zipper Closure + Lining expansion PDF pattern + video tutorials.
from $10.00
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from $10.00
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Oberlin Pendleton® Wool Expansion PDF
Crystal-clear illustrated expansion pattern.
from $5.00
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from $5.00
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EXPANSIONS
Add features to your bag! (Purchase separately or add to your kit.)
Oberlin Expansions PDF
Zipper Closure + Lining expansion PDF pattern + video tutorials.
from $10.00
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from $10.00
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Oberlin Pendleton® Wool Expansion PDF
Crystal-clear illustrated expansion pattern.
from $5.00
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from $5.00
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Oberlin - Chestnut Zipper Closure Kit
Leather + hardware kit for zipper expansion.
$25.00
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$25.00
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Oberlin - Black Zipper Closure Kit
Leather + hardware kit for zipper expansion.
$25.00
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$25.00
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TOOLS + SUPPLIES
Not sure what you'll need? Download the tools + supplies list below.
from $48.00
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$9.00
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Bakelite Mallet
Non-rubber mallet for setting + punching. Save when bundled!
$39.00
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$39.00
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Double-Cap Rivet Setter
Preserves the roundness of the rivet cap when hand-setting rivets.
from $4.00
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from $4.00
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Steel Fabric Roller
Press crips, even folds in fabric without heat. Save when bundled!
$38.00
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$38.00
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from $11.00
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Denim Needles
Professional-grade needles for sewing thick fabrics on home machines.
$6.25
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$6.25
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Edgestitch Presser Foot
Helps you sew straight stitches along fabric edges or seams.
$19.00
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$19.00
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Craft Clips
Hold multiple layers of thick fabric when straight pins won't cut it.
$8.00
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$8.00
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Nonstick Needles
Awesome for sewing waxed canvas to prevent gumming up your needle!
$8.00
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$8.00
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5" x 5" Non-Slip Quilting Ruler
Precise, non-slip & easy-to-read ruler for accurate cutting + marking.
$16.00
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$16.00
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Bag Sewing Toolkit
All the essential sewing tools for bag making.
Regular price
$112.00
$100.00
11% off
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Regular price
$112.00
$100.00
11% off
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Tapered Awl
To make holes in fabric as an alternative to a ³⁄₃₂" drive punch.
$11.00
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$11.00
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5" x 20" Non-Slip Quilting Ruler
Precise, non-slip & easy-to-read ruler for accurate cutting + marking.
$33.00
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$33.00
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THE OBERLIN TOTE
Online Class
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
Yes, you can totally make this bag on a regular home sewing machine! No industrial machine required, but a heavy duty machine is a plus! For best results, we highly recommend working on a machine that has been well-maintained and using a new, sharp needle. Denim needles or nonstick needles (if working with waxed canvas) are our favorite!
The making time for confident beginner projects is estimated at 4-6 hours. Having said that, each maker has their own pace and process.
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.
We recommend using a 100 denim needle or a non-stick needle, and 2 spools of all-purpose thread to match the exterior fabrics.
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