1 - Check you have everything in your box:

Pre-cut and Punched Leather Pieces
2x Keyring loops,
4x Binder Clips,
6x Canvas Cloth
1x Magnet Closure
1x Leather Cord
2x Colours of Handmade Waxed Thread
6x Canvas Cloth
4x Sewing Needles
Illustrated Learner Guide

You will also need:

• Small pair of scissors
• A little pot of water
• Your quality time, 2 - 3 hours

2 - Measure the Thread

Your Mini Cross Body has 4 stitching sections so you will need to cut lengths of thread measuring 20cm (x1), 45cm (x1) and 110cm (x2). Start by choosing the thread colour that you would like to stitch with, then measure and cut the pieces of wax thread.

3 - Burnish the Edges

At this stage you will need to seal the leather edges using a traditional technique called ‘Burnishing’. Using the diagram above to find the edges needing burnishing at this stage.

Take your finger tip and dab a small amount of water on the edge of the leather. Then take your cotton cloth and gently rub the edges, you will see the rough edge turn smooth and shiny.

*Top tip - You can use a cotton bud for express precision when apply your water*

4 - Thread the Needle

A. Thread the eye of the needle with the 110cm piece of thread. 
B. Pull through 6-8cm of thread and then pierce the thread.
C. Pierce the thread again at 1cm distance along the long piece of thread.
D. Holding the needle tip, pull down the entire thread. This is called locking the needle.

5 - Locate Holes for Alignment

Take this time to find the correct holes for alignment circled in orange:

6 - Place and Clip Pieces Together

With your hands, fold the bag piece to bring the two stitch sections together. Use the needles to help align the holes correctly. Clip in place with the binder clips using the canvas cloth to protect the leather. 

7 - Start Stitching

Start stitching by pushing the needle through the top hole of the back stitching section. Pull the needle through so that there is an equal amount of thread on either side.

8 - Locking Backstitch

This stitch section requires a locking backstitch to add durability. It may look like you have started 1 stitch down from the start, but in this step you will go back on yourself to create the locking stitch before starting your saddle stitch.

A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece away from yourself.

B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.

C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.

D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch.

Your thread will now be at the first stitching hole.

A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.

B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.

C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.

D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole. 

9 - Use Saddle Stitch

A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.

B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.

C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.

D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole. 

Continue with saddle stitch until you reach the point detailed below

10 - Locate Holes for Alignment

Take this time to find the correct holes for alignment circled in orange:

11 - Fold and Clip Pieces Together

With your hands, fold the bag piece to bring the two stitch sections together. Use the needles to help align the holes correctly. Clip in place with the binder clips using the canvas cloth to protect the leather. 

12 - Use Saddle Stitch

For this step you will need to account for the inner curve dart, this acts as a hole when stitching.

• A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.

• B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.

• C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.

• D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole. 

13 - Continue Saddle Stitch

Continuing on from the preview step you will see the holes line up again, this has now locked the corner dart in place.

• A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.

• B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.

• C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.

• D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole. 

Continue with saddle stitch until you reach the point detailed below:

14 - Secure the Thread with Backstitch

Once you reach the end, saddle stitch back on yourself for 3 stitches to secure the thread.

15 - Cut and Tidy Threads

Cut your thread and use your needle to neaten the loose ends.

16 - Repeat Steps

Repeat from step 4 til 11 on the other side of your bag.

17 - Locate Holes for Alignment

Take time to find the correct holes for alignment circled in orange:

18 - Place and Clip Pieces Together

Place your two magnet folder pieces rough sides together and use the needles to help align the holes correctly. Clip in place with the binder clips using the canvas cloth to protect the leather. 

19 - Start Stitching

Following step 4, re-thread your needles with a 45cm length of thread.

Start stitching by pushing the needle through the top hole of the back stitching section. Pull the needle through so that there is an equal amount of thread on either side.

20 - Use Saddle Stitch

A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.

B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.

C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.

D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole. 

21 - Secure the Thread with Backstitch

Once you reach the end, saddle stitch back on yourself for 2 stitches to secure the thread.

Take you needle from the none magnet sides of the leather pieces. Take this needle through the next hole bringing both threads out on the magnet side.

22 - Cut and Tidy Threads

Cut your thread and use your needle to neaten the loose ends.

23 - Locate Holes for Alignment

Take time to find the correct holes for alignment circled in orange:

24 - Place and Clip Pieces Together

Place your two bag pieces together and use the needles to help align correctly. Clip in place with the binder clips using the canvas cloth to protect the leather.

25 - Start Stitching

Following step 4, re-thread your needles with a 20cm length of thread.

Start your stitch by pushing the needle through the top hole of the back stitching section. Pull the needle through so that there is an equal amount of thread on either side.

26 - Locking Backstitch

This stitch section requires a locking backstitch to add durability. It may look like you have started 1 stitch down from the start, but in this step you will go back on yourself to create the locking stitch before starting saddle stitch.

A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece away from yourself.

B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.

C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.

D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch.

Your thread will now be at the first stitching hole.

A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.

B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.

C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.

D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole. 

27 - Use Saddle Stitch

A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your bag and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.

B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.

C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.

D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole.

Continue with saddle stitch until you reach the point detailed below:

28 - Secure the Thread with Backstitch

Once you reach the end, saddle stitch back on yourself for 2 stitches to secure the thread.

Take you needle from the outer sides of the leather pieces. Take this needle through the next hole bringing both threads out on the rough side.

29 - Cut and Tidy Threads

Cut your thread and use your needle to neaten the loose ends.

30 - Mold Leather

Gently mould the the edges of your bag to give the curves a nice rounded shape.

31 - Final Burnish

Next, burnish all the outer edges of the leather piece.

32 -Adding the Strap

For the following steps you will need the pieces shown below:

33 - Inserting Strap Piece

Take the small leather support piece and insert it as detailed in images below:

34 - Secure Strap

Tie a classic knot in the end of the strap.

35 - Finish Strap

Cut any loose strap and pull to secure it at the support piece.

36 - Repeat Steps

Repeat steps 26 - 28 for the other side of the bag.

Ta-daa! Great job - you have now finished your personally crafted .Ar:ti|sans Mini Cross Body Bag! What will you choose to do now with your Mini Cross Body Bag - gift it or maybe use it yourself?

We would love to see your creation! Share it with us and our crafting community so we can celebrate your leathercraft dexterity. Tag us @artisans.life on Instagram (using the hashtag #artisanslife), drop us an email or leave us a review on our website to tell us what you enjoyed most about the making experience.

P.S. Did you recognise our Keyring Kit wrapped in your thread? Now you can practice your leathercraft skills further by crafting your very own leather keyring! Click here to access the Keyring Craft Kit instructions blog.