Latest Design: Cat Leather Bag

Hey Kitty Cats! We cut into our cat fabric from Tokyo! It took over a year to decide what to make out of it. ​This post ​will give you an insider view on our latest bag design. From the outside, it looks pretty simple. BUT if you know us well, simple is not our forte.

Project Specs

• Drafting to final stitch took approximately 5.5 hours over 4 days
• 0.50 Meters of medium weight cotton fabric
• 0.50 Meters of light weight muslin fabric​

• Approx 0.3 Meters of black cow leather
• A spool of black and a spool of ivory thread
• Stitched on a DDL 8300 straight stitch industrial sewing machine

​Design Elements

This fabric traveled all the way from Tokyo, Japan. So we have to do it justice with extra special design elements. It was heading back to Tokyo soon! Our design elements included leather bottom for protection, exterior leather patch pocket, fully lined interior and tie straps for opening closure.

Leather Details​

​This ain’t your basic tote bag! Incorporating leather with this whimsical cotton canvas was something we wanted to do to elevate the design. We used leather for the exterior patch pocket and to protect the bottom half of the bag from germs.

​SEWING TIP: When working with leather or even thick layers of fabric swap out pins for clips. It keeps your layers secure, flat and your fingers safe from pricking.

Interior Tie Closure​

​We made tiny ties to gently secure the top of the bag. This is the first time we ever did this on a tote bag. What do you think? We think its kinda cute!

Final Design 

​Fini! Here is our final design for this puuurrfect tote bag. We love the leather details and the little pocket in the back is so so handy!

Bonus Design: Drawstring Bag

We had some left-over kitty cat fabric, so we made a fully lined drawstring bag. An essential while travelling to chuck your odds and ends in.

Happy Sewing!
Designed, photographed and written by Sheila Wong Studios.