DIY PROJECT | Basic Recycled Leather Zip Purse

August 11, 2015

Recycled Leather Zip Purse Tutorial | Easy to MakeThere really isn’t anything more gorgeous and luxurious than a leather purse, well in my eyes anyway. But I’m not so keen on the price tag of a store bought number…….so I’ve given it a go making my own. I have ended up using mine for a make up bag but they really could be used for anything and would make a fantastic gift. All up it cost me under $10 to make…..now that beats $500+

Here’s how I did it

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What you’ll need:

  • Old leather garment – jacket or a skirt
  • Colourful zips
  • Leather or denim sewing machine needle
  • Contrast cotton

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DIY PROJECT | Recycled Leather Zip Purse

Step 1| Cut out the leather

The first step is to cut out a square of leather from the leather garment you have acquired. They are pretty cheap at secondhand stores….look out for the 80’s styles they usually from super soft leather and they were worn oversize so they have heaps of fabric. In my case I have a beautiful taupe leather skirt, from which I cut a nice seam free piece of fabric from one of the back panels. Be sure to choose a leather garment that is super soft as your sewing machine will have a hard time getting through some of the more heavy duty weights.

DIY PROJECT | Recycled Leather Zip PurseNow out of this leather you need to measure and cut out two perfect squares or rectangles, depending on the shape you want your purse and the length of the zip. These will form the front and the back of the purse. Be sure to check your zip length when deciding on how big to make you purse. Make sure the zip is the same length or longer than the piece you cut out.

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip PurseMy zip was slightly longer, so I carefully cut it to the same length as my leather

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip Purse

Step 2 | Sew in the zip

Now pin your zip upside down to the right side of one of the pieces of leather.

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip Purse

Using your zipper foot sew along this pinned edge. I used a white cotton to give a little contrast to my purse but keep it tonal if you prefer.

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip Purse

It should look like this

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip Purse (7)

Now fold the zip back and carefully top stitch on the right side. This is going to be seen so you want to take your time to do a super straight line.

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip Purse (8)

It will end up looking like this

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip Purse

Pin the other side of the zip face down to the second piece of leather right side up like so….

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip Purse (10)

Sew along your pin line (yikes mines bit wonky! not sure what happened there….but you get the picture)

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip Purse (11)

Top stitch the right side of the zip as you did to the other side earlier.

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip Purse

Step 3 | Sew up the sides

Pin the sides and sew up the sides and along the bottom. Going as close to the stopper as possible.

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip Purse

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip Purse (14)

Trim the corners, so it sits more neatly when its turned in the right way. Like so….

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip Purse

Now turn in the right way and carefully ease out the corners……………..and there you have a luxurious leather zip purse…..without the luxurious price tag!

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip Purse

DIY PROJECT_Leather Zip Purse

 

 

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4 Comments

  • Reply Two Tone Leather Purse Tutorialthreadbarecloak November 13, 2015 at 11:11 pm

    […] two tone leather purse DIY project is a variation on the basic recycled leather zip purse I did a few months back. But this purse differs slightly with the addition of contrast fabric tabs […]

  • Reply Betty Barrett January 23, 2016 at 3:48 pm

    Love your projects…and your tutes are perfect.

    • Reply Alana January 26, 2016 at 5:11 pm

      Thanks so much! Lots more to come. xx

  • Reply Fabric & Leather Combo Zip Pouch Tutorialthreadbarecloak February 16, 2016 at 3:32 pm

    […] style of pouch is a different take on the two purses I have done before here and here. Being flat, this pouch is the perfect shape for a pencil case, make up bag or wallet. I used an […]

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