How to Make a Men's Sling Bag from Scratch: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a men's sling bag using the pattern with punch hole locations provided by Babylon Leather can streamline the process and ensure precision. Here's an optimized step-by-step guide to help you make the bag from scratch:

Materials Needed:

1. Pattern & Template:

Babylon Leather's PDF or physical pattern with punch hole locations. To assist beginners, we have upgraded our original design templates. The current versions are ready for 1:1 use in material cutting and punching, eliminating the need for additional measurements. If you purchase the PDF template, print it out and transfer it 1:1 onto your leather material. Ensure you know whether the template should be printed on A3 or A4 paper; our customer service will provide details for each PDF template.

Here is the sling bag template: Babylon Leather Sling Bag Template

2. Recommended Leather:

We strongly recommend using 3 to 4 oz. (1.2 to 1.6 mm) lychee pattern cowhide leather for this bag. This leather maintains the best bag shape while providing a softer, gentler, and finer texture. Additionally, the rich surface texture significantly enhances the bag's sophistication. For beginners, it's best to plan on using approximately 5-8 square feet of leather for the entire bag.

Introduction to Lychee Pattern Cowhide: The lychee pattern leather is made from the top layer of cowhide, retaining the original skin characteristics with vivid pores and skin texture. The surface texture is clear, the fastness to folding is high, it is durable and does not crack.

Learn more about lychee pattern cowhide here: Lychee Pattern Leather

3. Zippers & Adjustable Strap with Buckle:

Use at least two zippers, one for the main compartment and one for a pocket. Choose a nylon webbing or fabric strap with a buckle or clip for adjusting the strap length. Babylon Leather offers zippers and shoulder strap accessories for this bag, which you can check out if needed: Zipper and Shoulder Strap for Sling Bag

Additionally, explore Babylon Leather's hardware collection for any other hardware you might need.

4. Thread & Basic Sewing Tools:

Use strong, matching or contrasting color thread, needles, scissors, and an awl. Here’s a recommended beginner sewing tool kit from Babylon Leather. Besides the tools included in this kit, you generally won't need additional purchases unless you have specific crafting needs: Leather Craft Tools DIY Sewing Set

Babylon Sling Bag DIY Kit:

For a convenient all-in-one solution, consider the Babylon Sling Bag DIY Kit. This kit includes all the necessary materials and tools to create the sling bag, perfect for beginners and advanced crafters alike.

Check out this video of Tony creating a finished sling bag using the DIY kit and explaining his professional craftsmanship: Watch Tony's DIY Sling Bag Tutorial

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Print and Prepare the Template:

• Download and print Babylon Leather's PDF template at full scale, or use the physical pattern.
• Cut out the paper patterns and ensure all punch hole locations are clearly marked.

2. Cutting the Fabric:

• Pin the template pieces to your fabric and trace the outlines, including punch hole locations.
• Cut out the fabric pieces, adding seam allowances (typically 0.5").
• Pre-punch the marked holes using a leather punch or hole punch tool.

3. Sewing Pockets and Components:

• Follow the template instructions to sew any internal and external pockets first. If installing zippered pockets, attach the zippers to the pocket pieces before sewing them onto the main fabric.

4. Assembling the Bag Body:

• Sew the front, back, and side pieces together with the right sides facing each other, following the punch hole guides for accurate alignment.
• Sew the bottom piece to the assembled sides and front/back, ensuring all edges align properly.

5. Attaching the Zipper:

• Sew the zipper to the top edges of the main fabric, ensuring it is centered and aligned properly. Use the punch hole guides for precise placement.

6. Installing the Strap:

• Attach the strap to the sides of the bag according to the template’s punch hole locations. Reinforce the stitching for added durability.
• Attach the adjustable buckle or clip to the strap, ensuring it functions properly.

7. Final Assembly:

• Turn the bag right side out.
• Check all seams and reinforce any weak spots if necessary.

Tips:

• Stitching: Use a sturdy stitch, such as a backstitch or triple stitch, especially around stress points like the straps and zippers.
• Reinforcement: Double-stitch or use bar tacks for extra strength at key points.
• Customization: Personalize the bag with additional pockets, compartments, or decorative elements like patches or embroidery.

Following these simplified steps with the Babylon Leather template will help you create a precise, durable, and stylish men's sling bag from scratch.