The varieties of bags and materials are endless but today we will focus on leather ones produced by hand by artisans.

Step 1: Design

Before producing a bag, it is necessary to have an idea of it. You need to have the shape, materials and finish in mind and then you can make a pattern with markings that show the location of details such as slots for the straps and seam lines for the pockets. The pieces of the pattern are then used as a guide for cutting the materials.

Step 2: Skin

The most used material is certainly leather, but eco-leather is also spreading, which is always of animal origin but has less environmental impact. It is available in many different shapes, it can be rigid or soft, smooth or with raised grain, different thicknesses and different colors and ensures resistance and support.

There are various types of leather, from common sheep or cattle up to pythons and crocodiles.

Generally, the procedure for preparing the leather is to press it first, remove all the water, then grease the fibers to maintain elasticity, softness and make them hydrophobic (waterproof).

Step 3: Assembly

When the pieces are all ready they are glued and held in place by clips. Any smooth edges are roughened with sandpaper before applying the glue to give a firm bond.

Step 4: Seams

The quality of the hand stitching is the key to the finishing of the leather bags. A nice point is a true sign of craftsmanship that you can't get by using a machine. Hand sewing involves threading two needles over a length of waxed thread and then running the thread through the holes to secure the stitch.

Once the glue has dried, the edges are sewn, so as to mask the attachment, the lining, the handles and the logo is applied with a label, a plate or imprinted with a stamp.

Step 5: Accessories

Gorgeous accessories such as buckles, studs and feet can make all the difference in the style of a bag. Usually brass and gold look great with light brown and black leathers, while silver finishes tend to be used with gray or blue.

Then you can opt for rhinestones, sequins and finish it all with handles of the same type of leather or a chain shoulder strap.