I Made a Real Leather Handbag From a Kit (And You Can Too) ✨
I have to tell you about this project because I genuinely loved every minute of it 😍
A little while ago, the lovely team at Solace Leather sent me one of their DIY leather handbag kits (the DB506) to try out and share my honest thoughts on. I sew almost every day for work, but I had never touched real leather before, so this felt like a proper little adventure and a refreshing break away from my sewing machine. Spoiler: I ended up buying a second kit almost straight away to make a matching wallet. That is how much I enjoyed it.
What Is the Solace Leather Handbag Kit? 👜
The handbag I chose is a classic shoulder bag with a shorter top handle and a longer adjustable strap, so you can wear it two ways. It’s a really practical size, big enough to hold your phone, wallet, keys, sunnies, and a few extras without being bulky. I can even fit a small drink bottle in it!
Finished measurements:
Dimensions: 10.2" L × 8.5" H × 4.5" D → 26 cm L × 21.5 cm H × 11.5 cm D
Strap Drop: 19"–24" → 48.5–61 cm
Handle Drop: 3.2" → 8 cm
To be honest, I do not usually carry a proper handbag. I have been using a tote bag for years, so this felt like such a lovely upgrade for everyday life.
The kit comes with everything you need except a lighter and scissors (for finishing and sealing the thread ends).
Inside the box you get:
- All the pre-cut genuine cowhide leather pieces, with the stitching holes already punched
- Waxed thread in a colour that matches the leather beautifully
- Needles, thimbles, and anti-slip gloves
- Little clips to hold the pieces together while you sew
- Number stickers to label each piece so you never get lost
- Solid gold-toned hardware and clips, already attached to the pieces you’ll work with (the quality of the metal fittings really impressed me)
No sewing machine required. No leatherworking experience required. Just you, your hands, and a comfy spot to sit.
My Honest Experience Making It 🧵
I filmed the whole thing so you can watch along and see exactly what it was like. There is unboxing, a timelapse of the sewing, and I paused throughout to share how I was going.
A few thoughts:
The leather is really nice...
I was not expecting it to feel as premium as it does. Soft to the touch, sturdy in the hand, and the hardware is properly weighted. It looks and feels like a designer handbag when it's finished, and I get lots of compliments on it. ☺️
No written instructions, and I did not miss them...
The kit doesn't come with written instructions. Instead, Solace Leather has a really detailed 18-minute video tutorial you can follow along with. You can pause, rewind, and see exactly what the person is doing. Perfect for total beginners.
It took me about 4 hours...
Solace suggests 2 to 4 hours, but I was not rushing at all. I put on an audiobook and completely lost myself in the rhythm of the stitching.
The waxed thread is very forgiving...
I made a mistake partway through where I forgot to attach the inside pocket before sewing the side panel on (oops). Unpicking was actually really easy because the waxed thread just slides back out through the pre-punched holes. So if you slip up like I did, don’t stress. Just reverse it and keep going.
The trickiest bit was sewing the handle on...
The leather is thicker where the handle attaches, so it takes a bit more strength in your hands to pull the stitches through and keep them nice and tight. It is completely doable, just slower than the other sections. Take your time and know that once the handle is on, you’re basically done.
Who Would Love This Kit? 💛
If any of these sound like you, you’ll really enjoy this project:
- You love slow, mindful, hands-on crafts
- You want a beautiful handbag that is genuinely one of a kind
- You are looking for a thoughtful handmade gift 🎁
- You want an excuse to sit down for an afternoon (or two) with your favourite audiobook or podcast
How I Have Been Styling Mine
I wore this bag for the first time to a wine tour in Adelaide, paired with a leopard print maxi skirt, a black top, boot heels, and a red cardigan. Honestly, it felt like such a treat to carry something I had made with my own hands to a proper day out. The colour goes with almost everything in my wardrobe.
Grab Your Own Kit (With 10% Off) 🎉
If you want to make one yourself, I have a little discount for you. Use the code LAUREN10SL at checkout for 10% off, or just click through my link below and it will be applied for you:
👉 Shop Solace Leather kits and get 10% off with my link 👈
The kit I made (DB506) is $109.99 USD, and they have a whole range of other styles too, from crossbody bags to wallets. If you use my link or code, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps me keep making free content.
Give It a Go 💫
There is something so special about carrying a bag you made with your own two hands.
If you have been thinking about trying a leather kit, take this as your sign. Watch the video above to see the whole process, then grab your kit here with 10% off:
👉 Solace Leather kits with 10% off (code LAUREN10SL) 👈
Happy stitching!
Lauren 💗
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The original kit was gifted by Solace Leather in exchange for an honest video review. All opinions are my own.