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🌈 CUSTOM COLORS
Portsmith - Custom Bag Maker Kit
The Portsmith is a minimal, workhorse of a tote that will quickly become your everyday go-to. This kit includes all of the ingredients you need to make this bag.
With sturdy leather straps, metal rivets, and a reinforced base, the Portsmith is a cut above your average tote. It's a classic everyday bag that's strong enough to carry anything you throw its way! This kit includes waxed canvas, pre-cut leather, hardware. You have the option to add the online class, tools, and pattern. The Portsmith also has the option to add-on lining and zipper.
- 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
Note: This bag is unlined, but a lining and/or zipper closure is available as an add-on. Note that this increases the skill level to confident beginner, so if you are new to bag making, we suggest making the bag without the add-ons the first time.
🌈 CUSTOM COLORS
Portsmith - Custom Bag Maker Kit
Skill Levels
 BEGINNER |
 CONFIDENT BEGINNER |
|
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 |
 ADVANCED |
|
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 professional results. |
Our Materials
Our Materials
Waxed Canvas
A densely-woven cotton fabric that's saturated with wax, giving it protection against the elements. It shows scuffs and creases that blend into a weathered patina. *fabric colors vary in weight from 10-12oz
Leather
Sourced from USA tanneries, and hand-selected for quality. Our hides are cut into straps with a hydraulic press to ensure precision and consistency.
Hardware
Hardware takes a bag from looking homemade to professional—and it's not hard to do! Using basic tools, you can set rivets & more. All our hardware is real metal and built to last.
Availability
Shipping calculated at checkout.
The Portsmith is a minimal, workhorse of a tote that will quickly become your everyday go-to. This kit includes all of the ingredients you need to make this bag.
With sturdy leather straps, metal rivets, and a reinforced base, the Portsmith is a cut above your average tote. It's a classic everyday bag that's strong enough to carry anything you throw its way! This kit includes waxed canvas, pre-cut leather, hardware. You have the option to add the online class, tools, and pattern. The Portsmith also has the option to add-on lining and zipper.
- 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
Note: This bag is unlined, but a lining and/or zipper closure is available as an add-on. Note that this increases the skill level to confident beginner, so if you are new to bag making, we suggest making the bag without the add-ons the first time.
😍 Maker Stories
FAQS
Questions about the Portsmith? We've got you covered.
This product has no reviews of its own. The merchant grouped it with related products, so the reviews shown are from across that group.
C
NPS score:
Making this bag was so easy and fun. I learned a lot of new skills that will really help me improve my sewing and quilting overall. The videos were incredibly easy to understand and did a great job showing the process rather than just talking about it.
I can't WAIT to make even more bags!
Hi Caitlin,
It's awesome to hear how much you enjoyed making the Bag Maker Starter Kit! We love that you found the process easy and fun, and that the videos were so helpful for learning new skills.
We're thrilled you're excited to make more bags. If you need anything at all for your next project, just let us know!
A
NPS score:
I loved working on this project! I have been doing leather work for a bit now and at the recommendation of someone in a leather class I picked up this kit. The color combination is amazing. The videos were easy to follow.
Why 4 stars? I am not a big fan of the straps that came in the kit. I am a bit biased after working with leather for a bit now. Also was not a big fan of the bottom envelope corners. For future bags I will be doing box corners. My sewing machine struggled a bit getting through all the layers there at the end.
M
NPS score:
I have taken three classes at the Sewing Expo and really enjoyed making the tote. I will order more kits. It's a fun project and my friends and family are impressed that I am able to make these bags!
Hi Mary,
It's great to hear you're enjoying making the tote from the Bag Maker Starter Kit! It's awesome that your friends and family are impressed with your bags. We're happy you're having fun with it. 😍
A
NPS score:
Very quick after I got over sewing the waxed cotton! Appreciate clean design with just the right details. Waxed canvas is wonderful stuff, totally sold now. I added my own lining as I am looking to figure out what my ideal bag is inside and out. Next will do a Fremont!
Hey Amy,
It's awesome to hear you're loving the Bag Maker Starter Kit and are already planning your next project, the Fremont! It sounds like you're really getting the hang of sewing with waxed cotton. We're so glad you appreciate the clean design and that you're sold on waxed canvas now. Adding your own lining is a great idea to figure out your ideal bag.
We can't wait to see what you make next!
D
NPS score:
The directions are easy to understand and the materials are of high quality.
Hey Denise,
Thanks for the awesome review and the great photos! Your bag turned out so beautiful! I love the lining you chose;) We're so glad to hear you're enjoying the Bag Maker Starter Kit and found the directions easy to understand.
S
NPS score:
This is a great bag company!
Love all the different bag styles to choose from.
Great, sturdy materials and tools.
Well done paper patterns and instructions, plus online tutorials.
Sweet customer service!
Susan
T
NPS score:
Overall I loved making the portsmith bag. I have been wanting to make a high quality bag for awhile now and this was the perfect introduction. I fell in love with waxed canvas and am glad that I pushed myself with the zipper and lining expansion add on. I found all of the materials, videos and tools to be amazing quality. I loved the ease of the add-ons on the website as well. Thank you!
A
NPS score:
This is a really thoughtfully curated kit. The written and video instructions are great both independently and together. I appreciate that Ellie gave alternative methods given a variety of tools. The end product looks so professional! (The zipper and lining expansions are fabulous!!) I can't wait to try another kit.
A
NPS score:
The end product looks so professional. I wish I had added the lining and zipper kits though. Very fun to make!
P
NPS score:
First time making waxed canvas. The video instruction is top notch with very clear and concise instructions. I am looking forward to working my way through all the projects. I have the dop kit on my workbench ready for a free weekend to sew. I love that everything I needed was in a kit. I also appreciate how she makes this so accessible to even the beginner sewist. We all have to start somewhere. Also the leather is top grade with these kits. The perfect weight and thickness. Her instruction for setting the rivets is awesome. Well worth the money, I am happy with my purchase. I also love the email communication. It really makes you look forward to receiving your purchase. It is great to support a fellow maker who is passionate about teaching the next generation of makers. Thank you for offering such a top-notch product.
K
I Love this tote, material is soft, not greasy, sews beautifully, looks amazing! Not hard to punch through with the black tool.
I will be using this material again, class was great with clear concise step by step instruction, too. Leather for the handles is soft and pliable and I Love it.
I want to try the other patterns now. Great experience.
K
I love these kits. I made my first Portsmith bag two weeks ago (no lining or zipper) and the finished product is so lovely and polished that I ordered another to make with a zipper and lining. I think the Fremont bag will be my next.
N
Thanks for a great first time bag making experience!
E
Excellent. Easy to follow. Love that everything was supplied. Can't wait for the surprise box
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for the great review! We're so glad you enjoyed the Bag Maker Starter Kit and found it easy to follow.
W
NPS score:
I really enjoyed making this bag (I added the zipper and lining expansions) and it turned out so well! My only complaint is that I wish the videos showed sewing both sides of the zipper. Otherwise 9.9/10 highly recommend!!
Hi William,
Thanks for the great feedback on the Bag Maker Starter Kit! We're so glad you enjoyed making the bag and that it turned out well.
We appreciate you pointing out the video suggestion for the zipper. We'll definitely pass that along to our team for consideration in future updates. It's always helpful to hear how we can improve our instructions.
Happy sewing!
T
Perfect
J
NPS score:
I really enoyed the kit. It was easy to understand and had all the necessary items to complete it. The bag turned out looking professional and not looking homemade. It exceeded my expectations.
Hi Jennifer,
It's great to hear you enjoyed the Bag Maker Starter Kit and that your bag turned out looking professional. We love hearing that our kits exceed expectations! 😍
R
NPS score:
The kit was high quality and the instructions were detailed with both pictures and script. All measurements were spot on.
Hey Rosalie,
Thanks so much for the awesome review! We're so glad you loved the Bag Maker Starter Kit and found the instructions helpful. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.
L
NPS score:
I enjoyed making the bag an like all the little extra touches like the leather pull. The waxed cotton was easy to use. I did struggle learning how to use rivets to include more spares would have been helpful. I can’t finish until more arrive.
Hey Lisa,
Thanks for the lovely feedback! Here is a rivet setting video that you may find helpful:
<https://klumhouse.com/blogs/blog/how-to-attach-leather-straps-on-klum-house-bag-patterns>
🙌 Enjoy Making!
Paloma
Klum House Team
Create handcrafted goods with “I made this!“ bragging rights.
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T
NPS score:
I had fun making this bag. I cannot wait to show it off.
Hey Tracey,
That's awesome to hear you had fun making the bag! We'd love to see it when you show it off
🙌 Enjoy Making!
Paloma
Klum House Team
Create handcrafted goods with “I made this!“ bragging rights.
· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
Join our newsletter to hear about upcoming sales, new product launches, and overall good vibes!
OUR PROMISE
You've got this.
Making things takes courage! For every little victory and moment of triumph, there are frustrating seam rips and cooked rivets, but there is magic to be found in showing up and trusting the process. Sometimes you have to take the leap to discover how much you're truly capable of!
OUR PROMISE
We've got you.
From sourcing the very best tools and materials to crafting crystal-clear instructions, we're committed to setting you up for success (and enjoyment!) at every step of your bag making journey. No matter your skill level, we'll meet you where you are and help you reach your bag making goals.
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