Sewing

Leather Handles!

Leather Handles - Noodlehead

Over last weekend I quietly added leather handles to my shop! This has been such a long time coming. I’ve been working on this project for almost a year now, so to finally be able to offer them is so exciting and very much a relief.

Leather Handles - Noodlehead

Ever since working on my book projects in 2014 I’ve had a thing for using leather in my sewing projects (it goes back even further to this tutorial in 2011 actually). I love how durable leather is and so beautiful at the same time. Leather and bag making go together extremely well – obviously. It’s the perfect complement to any fabric! I wanted to be able to offer a high quality product that I know and can trust.

naturalhandle

[Natural color]

While I’ve always done my best to source and share product info for my patterns in the past, it can be difficult to communicate what products I love and use. So I went down the rabbit hole of leather (it was a pleasurable, but long trip). And that brings me here, where I’m finally able to offer a couple leather handle options you can purchase right in my shop. I have two lengths and two color options to choose from, most carefully put together from past bag making experience. The Market Bag (from my book, Handmade Style) and Caravan Tote + Pouch Pattern both use these 1″ wide handles. Plus stay tuned for more new patterns and free tutorials coming up!

I give some tips for sewing with these in the listing, as well as the properties of each type of leather so be sure to check that out. Don’t forget that you can attach handles using rivets, it’s so much easier than you might think, plus I have a step-by-step photo tutorial right here.

Leather Handles - Noodlehead[Medium Brown color]

For now, there will be limited stock until I can get a good grasp on what everyone likes and uses. I will also be adding some more handle variations and goodies to the shop soon, too! Stick around! So again, my goal in all this is to be able to share quality products that I use and trust and hopefully make it easier to get supplies you need for my patterns and tutorials (or anything else you might want to make, too!).

Thanks to all of you in this wonderful sewing community! This feels like a super scary step for me, but I hope it’ll be great. [Insert cringy faced emojis here.]

22 thoughts on “Leather Handles!

  1. Debbie says:

    I think it’s awesome! I love that you try hard to link to vendors you use for a particular project – that has helped me several times. But to have the supplies needed right in your shop where I purchase a pattern – well that’s even better yet. Good luck on this new venture.

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks Debbie. 🙂 I’m excited about it!

  2. Patti says:

    This is wonderful! I love the look of your leather straps and this makes it so easy. No excuses to not jump right in and start sewing! Congrats on this new venture!

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks Patti! 🙂

  3. carolyn says:

    These are beautiful!!

  4. Pam D'Esopo says:

    Some of us are sad about the leather. Using an animal’s skin might have been advantageous for humans at one time, but that time has long passed. There are so many beautiful materials out there that do not cost an animal it’s life.

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks Pam for your comment. 🙂

  5. Marsha says:

    I’m so-o-o-o-o-o pleased you’re going to carry leather handles! I’ll be placing an order tomorrow. I, too, like the look and feel of the leather handles on some bags. The current market bag I’m making would look nice with black leather handles, but I’ll be ordering the brown handles anyway so that I have them on hand for my next bag.

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks Marsha! 🙂

  6. kristin says:

    Ooooh so pretty Anna! Congratulations, this is a big step but very cool. 🙂

  7. liz n. says:

    Anna, do you recommend ordering several at a time so that dye lots match?

    Also, any chance you’ll carry colored leathers in future?

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Hi Liz, I think that both colors available now should remain fairly consistent. Of course leather being a natural material there might be slight variations, but each handle set will be matching of course. As for color, I think I’ll be getting black as well. Hope that helps. 🙂

  8. Jeni says:

    Yay! Congrats!!

  9. Tracy G says:

    This is great news! And perfect timing, too. I’m just about ready to gather my supplies for the Market Bag. Do you have any tips for sewing through leather? is there a special needle I should use? I’ve never done it before and hope my machine is up to the task. When I bought the machine I distinctly remember the sales person saying triumphantly, “It can sew through six layers of denim!” And I naively thought that I’d never be doing THAT 😉

    1. Anna Graham says:

      Thanks Tracy 🙂 Yep, you can read tips I have right in the product listing for the handles. Hope that helps. 🙂

    2. Marsha says:

      I’ve made Anna’s market bag, and followed her directions regarding needle size and thread for sewing on leather handles. I was amazed at how easy it was. I did a little test piece first. I think you should be fine.

  10. brianne says:

    yay Anna! you’re awesome. so good to know that when I get brave enough to make a bag, I know where to get everything! ??

  11. Joy says:

    Good luck on this new venture, the handles are lovely!

  12. Brigit says:

    Congratulations Anna! So excited for you, and all of us. I just put an order in and can’t wait to feel the leather; they will be used for the caravan tote. Leather is the best! Thank you!!

  13. Brilliant idea, Anna!!

  14. Rayan Meghan says:

    You share the leather handles is good quality. I’ve enjoyed reading the post. It is very supportive and useful post. I would like to visit the post once more its valuable content. Thanks for sharing the great information. Good Luck!

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