The process of making a leather handbag is difficult. However, we will try to simplify how a leather bag is made.
Bag Encyclopedia
HOW IS A LEATHER BAG MADE?
First Step: The Body
Bags are usually made by cutting leather in five sections. These form the front, back, sides and the bottom of the bag. The most common method is holding the sides of the bag and sewing them piece by piece.
Since leather is a fairly thick material, it is necessary to sew it slowly. In addition, a bag is composed of more than just leather, for this reason, it is necessary to use balance wheels to make it correctly.
All the sides are sewn to the bottom of the handbag first. The sides, front and back are then sewn together. To complete this, it is necessary to remove excess leather on the sides by a method called skiving. Specialized machines are used for this purpose.
Second Step: The Strap
There are many ways to attach the strap depending on the style of the bag. Most commonly, two long pieces of the same leather are cut, as the rest of the bag.
The two pieces of leather are folded over each other, and sewn together. Another method of strap making involves a piece of leather and cotton or synthetic tape, which are stuck and sewn together. Then, these are attached to each side of the bag or to the metal rings which are fixed to the bag.
Third Step: The Accessories
The accessories in a bag can differ, depending upon the manufacturer. When the accessories are decided, they are cut from the fabric and sewn to the leather. Similarly, different types of decorative fittings are also used to enhance the beauty of the bags. Finally, the zipper is attached and excess threads are removed. The completion of these steps give us a beautiful leather bag
TYPES OF LEATHER BAGS
There are more than 50 types of bags, most of which use leather. When it comes to a durable material, leather is always sought after and trusted worldwide. Leather bags give a classy look to any outfit that your wear. It is practical as well as aesthetic. We use bags for our convenience to simplify the work of holding things that we need to carry around. Also, there are specific bags for every type of activity that we may encounter in our daily lives.
While creating this article, we wanted to make sure that we had the information about the types of bags that people use today. So if you are looking for anything in particular, this list has you covered.
Daypack
The term is often used interchangeably with backpacks. It is a smaller bag intended for everyday use. These are more compact and are ideal for work, school, or running errands. Reference image: Iswee Casual Daypack
Backpack
A backpack is a spacious bag used for carrying all the things that you need. It has slightly more space than a day bag and is convenient for long trips. The term 'backpack' was first used in the United States in the early 1900s, even though there is evidence pointing to these being used in the early civilizations as close to 3300 BC.
Rucksack
This term comes from the German words 'der rücken' meaning 'back' and 'sack' meaning 'bag'. This type of bag contains a flap with buckles and more outer pockets than a usual backpack.
Satchel Backpack
This bag is traditional backpack with the characteristics of a satchel bag, containing a top handle, a double buckled flap, and a front pocket. Also, this bag is always made of leather.
Drawstring Bag
This bag is secured using a drawcord. It is lightweight and ideal for everyday use and short trips. It is affordable and often made using materials like canvas, leather, nylon, etc.
Randoseru
The term comes from the Dutch word 'ransel'. It is popular among Japanese students and has a solid shell shape, made from leather or synthetic materials.
Belt Bag
A Belt Bag is worn around the waist. This term is used interchangeably with a waist pack. A detachable leather purse is attached to the belt, giving it a provision to be used in two ways.
Bum Bag/ Waist Bag
A Bum Bag is also known as a Waist Bag or Fanny Pack and is worn around the waist. It can hold smaller objects and daily essentials. The bag portion of a Bum Bag is not detachable from the belt. It can be made from a wider variety of materials. Reference image: Prada Unisex Marsupio Belt Waist Bag
Pouch
A Pouch is a small bag that is fastened by a top zipper. It was used in the medieval times to carry items in a drawstring pouch. Now, the pouch is used as a versatile tool used to carry smaller items either as a clutch or as an organizer in larger bags.
Clutch
It is a small handbag that is handheld or carried under the arm. It has no straps or handles, is compact, and is usually used occasionally to carry minimal essentials like a phone, credit cards, or cosmetic items.
Envelope Clutch
The Envelope Clutch has a triangle flap closure that is similar to an envelope. A regular Clutch contains zippers, whereas the Envelope Clutch is secured using magnets and is a good option if you are looking for an alternative to zipper closures.
Minaudière
It is a small hard-cased clutch or handbag that features decorative beads or crystals. It was first invented by luxury jeweller Van Cleef & Arpels in 1930. The Minaudière was inspired by metal cigarette cases used by the American socialite Florence Gould. Its decorative features make it well suited for formal occasions.
Bracelet Bags
This bag can be worn around the wrist or handheld. It is characterized by a large bracelet handle. The Bracelet Bag can feature several handbag silhouettes.
Hat Box
This bag was initially used as a type of luggage for carrying several hats in the 19th century. It has a deep, round shape and is used by designers today as a rigid bag with a handheld strap.
Boston Bag
This bag is barrel-shaped with a top zipper closure and has two top handles. This bag is made using materials like leather, nylon, and canvas. It also features some leather details.
Doctor’s Bag
This bag was at first used by doctors when visiting patients. Traditionally, the Doctor’s Bag was from leather and had a split handle that opens from the top. Today, this bag is available in a variety of materials and has a lot of design details.
Gladstone Bag
This bag was named after the four-time Prime Minister of Great Britain, William Ewart Gladstone. It is made of stiff leather, giving it a boxy briefcase-like shape. Initially, the Gladstone Bag contained a hinged frame to open and close the bag. Now it is available in many styles. Also, its large capacity makes it useful for travelling.
Baguette Bag
This is a long, narrow handbag that resembles the shape of a French baguette. It became very popular in the early 2000s.
Tote Bag
This is a large bag that commonly has an open-top compartment and two top handles with an open or a zippered top.
Bucket Bag
This bag gets its name from its bucket-like shape and has a rounded base with a drawstring secured opening. The Bucket Bag is normally made from leather.
Canteen Bag
The traditional canteen bottles are the inspiration for the name of this bag. Mostly made from leather now, the canteen bag is around a handbag that often has a tassel and strap.
Satchel
It is a rectangular bag that features a flap and a long shoulder strap. The satchel was traditionally used by schoolchildren to carry their books. This bag remains timeless due to its heritage and durability.
Sling Bag
Also known as a One Shoulder Backpack or One Strap Book-bag, the sling bag is a single-strapped backpack carried on one shoulder. They feature several pockets and zippers for you to access your essentials on the go.
Fringe Bag
It is a signature bag from the 1970s having leather or suede fringes dangling and swaying with every movement. The Fringe Bag showcases the bohemian spirit of the 70s era even today.
Wash Bag
The Wash Bag is a small pouch used for holding toiletries and cosmetic items when travelling. Typically they feature leather materials in the body of the bag or via leather trims.
Dopp Kit
The Dopp Kit is also called a Wash Bag. It got its name from Charles Doppelt, a leather craftsman in the 1900s. When compared to a Wash Bag, the Dopp Kit is larger.
Weekender
The Weekender is a large bag made of leather or fabric having enough storage space for short travel and weekend trips. It has a rectangular base and a top zipper.
Duffel Bag
The Duffel Bag is large and has a cylindrical shape. Bigger than It is bigger than the Weekender and gets its name from its place of origin, the Belgian town of Duffel. It is also used as a sports bag or for longer trips.
Bowling Bag
This bag gets its name from the initially used bag in the 1990s. It was used to carry bowling balls, bowling shoes, and other equipment. Today, the Bowling Bag is an admired fashion accessory, that has retained its original trapezium shape design and double top handles.
Safari Bag
A variation of the duffel bag, the safari bag uses canvas and leather. Its initial use was for outdoor travel. This style inspires many designs.
Messenger Bag
The Messenger Bag is also known as the Courier Bag. It is a large and horizontal cross-body bag with an adjustable shoulder strap and flap cover. It was initially used by mail couriers and is favoured because of its adaptability and ease of carrying.
Laptop Bag
As the name suggests, the laptop bag is designed to carry your laptop safely. It has a padded compartment for protection and has easy access pockets on the outside too.
Trunk Bag
It is a highly functional shoulder bag that can be attached to the back of a motorcycle or bicycle. It has a durable fabric that withstands weather conditions and has enough storage space for all the things needed on the go.
Camera Bag
This bag is a functional padded bag with compartments specially designed to hold and protect photography equipment. Camera Bags use waterproof fabric for extra protection.
Diaper Bag
The Diaper Bag is specially designed to carry all the things needed to take care of your child on the go. Newer diaper bags and backpacks have chic aesthetics and hardware.
Hiking Backpack
It is a large-sized backpack designed for use on treks and backpacking trips. They have heavily padded shoulder straps and a waist belt for weight distribution. Some bags can carry up to a couple of hundred pounds in weight.
Golf Bag
The Golf Bag holds golf clubs and equipment, with multiple sections to keep the golf clubs separate for easy selection. Their padded straps are either single or double for comfortable carrying.
Hard-side Luggage
These luggage suitcases are constructed using hard and durable materials like aluminium, polycarbonate, or polypropylene. It was made famous by the German Brand Rimowa when Richard Morszeck introduced the first suitcase made of aircraft aluminium in 1937. The Hard-side Luggage suitcases revolutionized the luggage industry with their durability.
Soft-side Luggage
These luggage bags are made from soft materials like canvas or nylon and maintain a soft exterior. Soft-side Luggage is mostly seen in cabin luggage size which makes it easier to carry.
Suitcase
The Suitcase is a rectangular-shaped bag with rounded corners and traditionally had metal hinges around the opening. The word now refers to larger luggage. This bag is usually made with leather, cloth, or sometimes hard plastic.
Cosmetic Case
These cases carry makeup and other beauty items. It is available in both hard-side and soft-side cases and features dedicated organization for different cosmetic kits.
Trunk
These are large rectangular containers made for transporting and storing personal belongings. Trunks were popular in the late 1800s. A lot of trunk manufacturers eventually became luxury brands of today like Louis Vuitton and Goyard.
Coin Purse
It is a small item made to hold coins and loose change. Initially, the coin pouch used fabric materials, whereas today, the coin purse uses leather.
Clasp Purse
These kinds of purses have a metal frame closure on top. It can be made from materials like nylon, cloth, and leather.
Long Wallet
The Long Wallet, or the Continental Wallet, is a long wallet used to hold banknotes flat to avoid creases. These wallets are mainly fastened using a snap button strap and also have a coin purse.
Zip-Around Wallet
These wallets are similar to Long Wallets, with the main difference being that it is closed using a zipper. They come as a long-sized wallet and a shorter bi-fold-sized wallet.
Credit Card Wallet
A form of Long Wallet, the credit card wallet has plenty of pockets to store all of your cards in place. It is different from a Card Holder in its larger size.
Bi-Fold Wallet
These wallets can be folded into two halves with a centerfold, making it an easy storage option for men’s pockets. Currency notes are folded, while the cards are stored vertically or horizontally, depending on the design.
Tri-Fold Wallet
The Tri-Fold Wallet folds equally into three parts. These wallets may have different features on each side, from cardholders to coin pouches, and are usually made using leather even though carbon fibre Tri-Fold Wallets are gaining popularity.
Phone Case Wallet
The Phone Case Wallet works as both a Phone Case and Purse. Often made with leather and extra padding for protection, these wallets can also have attached straps.
