I don’t bring my lunch to work as often as I should. And by that, I mean never. What if I had a cool lunch tote? It might not help… but at the very least, it’s a fun project to practice some hand-sewing and to make something interesting.
Lately I’ve been inspired by a number of Japanese leather craft books… such meticulous stitching and thoughtful design. After seeing an interesting small tote in one, I knew I had to try my hand at my own design. I wanted to make it out of one piece of leather, and you can make this that way, but a large cross isn’t an efficient way to chop up your hide – hence me cutting the flaps separate. I had a really amazing hide to work with and just couldn’t waste any.
Whether you need a lunch tote or not, here’s a project that you can modify to make something neat for your own totable needs. The full tutorial is at Design*Sponge here. Check it out, download this pattern, and get to making something.
one of my favorite posts from you yet…and I have many favorites!
Nice! I’ve got tons of scrap leather and this looks like a fun way to use some of it up. So much more grown-up looking than my nylon lunch bag. Thanks!
Beautiful design! Could you share any names of these Japanese books or where to get them? They sound like a wealth of inspiration!
I wish I could tell you, but the title is in Japanese! See if there’s a Kinokuniya Bookstore near you… that’s the place to find great stuff.
Thanks so much!!! Keep those sweet designs coming
Brilliant!! This is absolutely fantastic. Well done!
This is really fantastic. Where would you recommend I get a hide similar to this to work with, and can you give a rough estimate of what that hide might cost me? Thanks!
Hi Ryan, I bought this leather at Oregon Leather Co from their surplus bins… enough to make a lunchbox could be around $20, though unfortunately it’s sometimes challenging to buy small quantities of certain leathers. Best of luck!
Amazing!
love it. I’ll need to make a super sized version to fit all the candy I sneak into my lunch bag.
Next DIY should be a candy duffel!
Hi..
that good bag .. special to take my lunch to work .. I would like to have one so .. is very elegant and simple …
Greetings from Paraguay : )
It’s a very neat project. Could you please tell me what you use to punch the holes for stitching?
Thanks!
That was a #00 punch, but you could use an awl or a leather sewing punch like the one from Tandy.
Actually, another question Matt. I noticed you punched holes for your stitches on this project. Is there any benefit of doing it this way over using an awl?
Thanks a bunch!
The only advantage to a punch is that it’s easier to sew with a larger hole… that being said, you need really thick thread to make it look nice.
Clever design! I will have to try this out with some recycled vinyl tarps.
Amazing! As always.
Hey Matt,
Would you mind sharing what type of hide this is? I love the texture and the color.
Thanks!
-PK
This hide was a remnant at Oregon Leather Co., so I’m not sure of the tannery, but it has an antiqued finish to it, so you might want to search for that kind of hide. Chrome or combination tanned and it was a pull-up leather… meaning it would change colors as you pulled or put pressure on it. Good luck!
Amazing! This is unreal!
I want one. Love the blog. So many amazing and sexy things here.
Great design! Does the handle lose its shape? If so perhaps a second layer of leather and some kind of stiffener could prevent that.
Good thinking, Lucas. For sure, depending on what leather you used, some extra handle work might have to be done.
Dear Matt,
I am a hobby crafter and interested to start working with leather.
Any good beginners’ book/blogs to recommend? I’m near clueless about the types of leather and tools needed to start.
Evan, a great way to get a good start is digging through some Al Stohlman books. If there’s a Tandy Leather near you, go take a look. Otherwise, I’ve bought a couple on amazon. Also, Leatherworker.net is a nice forum with a lot of helpful folks. Good luck!
Great! thank you so much.
Matt! so nice to meet you in person today! Love this tote! how clever and simple.
Thanks so much, and absolutely great to run into you finally!
I Think i have revisited this post at least 10 times now. What a great idea! This makes me want to make some leather projects soon. Love your work. Keep it coming!
Killer stuff. Can you point us towards some of the best of the Japanese leather working books you’ve discovered? Thanks!
Actually, no… because I can’t read the titles!