Project

No-Sew Leather Bags

The best things may come in small packages, but a thoughtful wrapper can be a gift all its own.

Photography: CHELSEA CAVANAUGH

Source: Martha Stewart Living, May 2017

Introduction

Tuck jewelry or candies into one of our colorful DIY leather pouches for a two-in-one treat your loved one can keep and tie to a tote strap (perfect for corralling earbuds or lip balm).

For more ideas, browse our collection of Handmade Tote Bags, Clutches, and Handbags.

materials

Lambskin leather, in Bright Blue, $21 for 3 sq. ft.; and Orange Creamsicle, $17.50 for 2.5 sq. ft., judithm.com

Martha Stewart Crafts large circle cutter, $20, amazon.com

Martha Stewart Crafts screw punch, $25, amazon.com

Faux-leather tape, 1/8", $1 per yd., mjtrim.com

steps

Using a circle cutter, cut out a four-to-seven-inch round piece of leather (size it for the item you want to enclose), then add holes an inch apart around the edge with a screw punch.
Thread cord through all the holes, then feed the ends through one more hole each, to create the loose tie needed to cinch the pouch closed.
Slip a surprise inside, and pull the ends tight.