Clint Backpack Leather Pattern. PDF & DXF Leathercraft Pattern
Build your own compact, structured leather backpack with the Clint Backpack Leather Pattern, a complete digital leathercraft pattern designed for hand cutting or laser cutting. This downloadable pattern includes printable PDF files in A0, A4 and US Letter, a DXF file for laser cutting and a step-by-step video build guide with YouTube subtitles and automatic translation available in multiple languages.
The finished Clint backpack measures approximately 13 in tall × 10.2 in wide × 3.5 in deep / 33 × 26 × 9 cm. Its compact vertical shape, large front pocket, adjustable leather shoulder straps, traditional buckles, D-rings, Sam Browne studs and LOXX closures create a classic heritage-style leather backpack suitable for everyday carry.
The size works especially well for tablets, everyday essentials and many slim laptops in the 13-inch class. As a general guide, devices measuring approximately 12 × 8.7 in / 30.5 × 22 cm or smaller are the best candidates, although exact fit depends on the finished leather thickness and construction. Always compare your device dimensions with the finished backpack before building specifically for a laptop.
Clint is designed primarily for approximately 2.4 oz / 1 mm leather for the main body, contrasting vegetable-tanned leather for structural details and heavier leather for the shoulder straps. With 5 mm / 0.2 in stitching-hole spacing and a construction that combines hand stitching, straps, buckles and multiple hardware components, this project is best suited to intermediate leatherworkers or confident beginners with previous leathercraft experience.
Use rustic pull-up leather for a rugged vintage backpack, smooth vegetable-tanned leather for a more refined finish, or combine contrasting leathers to emphasize the straps, pocket and structural details. The Clint pattern is ideal for makers searching for a leather backpack sewing pattern, PDF leather bag pattern, leathercraft backpack template or DXF laser cutting pattern.
DIGITAL PATTERN — NO PHYSICAL BACKPACK IS SHIPPED.
Included
- PDF pattern files for A0, A4 and US Letter
- DXF file for laser cutting
- Video build guide
- Finished dimensions and material specifications
- Hardware and tool requirements
Use the printable PDF files for a traditional hand-cut build, or use the DXF file with a compatible laser-cutting workflow.
Video Instructions
A complete video build guide accompanies the Clint Backpack pattern so you can follow the construction process step by step.
Subtitles are available in all languages supported by YouTube.
To select your language, click CC, then Settings → Subtitles → Auto-translate, and choose the language you want.
Finished Size
Height: 13 in / 33 cm
Width: 10.2 in / 26 cm
Depth: 3.5 in / 9 cm
The Clint is a compact backpack with enough depth for everyday essentials while maintaining a structured, traditional silhouette.
Laptop & Tablet Compatibility
Based on the finished dimensions of approximately 13 × 10.2 × 3.5 in / 33 × 26 × 9 cm, Clint is best suited to compact tablets and slim laptops in approximately the 13-inch class.
As a general guideline, a device measuring around 12 × 8.7 in / 30.5 × 22 cm or smaller has the best chance of fitting comfortably, depending on leather thickness, seams, interior construction and how tightly the backpack is packed.
This means Clint can be suitable for many compact 13-inch laptops, MacBook Air-size devices, small ultrabooks and larger tablets.
Some very compact 14-inch laptops may physically fit, but we do not recommend choosing compatibility based on screen size alone.
Always compare the actual width, height and thickness of your laptop with the finished backpack dimensions before building the bag specifically for a particular device.
Please also remember that the measurements above are finished exterior dimensions, so the usable interior space will be slightly smaller.
Recommended Materials
Main Body
- 6 oz / approximately 2.4 mm leather
- Approximately 11 sq ft / 1 m²
Contrast Leather
- 4 oz / approximately 1.6–2 mm vegetable-tanned leather
The contrasting leather can be used for the flap reinforcement, closure straps, attachment details and other structural components.
Shoulder Straps
- 9 oz / approximately 3.6 mm leather
Construction Supplies
- 1 mm waxed thread
- Edge dye
- Leather glue
Stitching-hole spacing: 5 mm / approximately 0.2 in
Leather type, color, thread color and hardware finish are entirely up to you.
Hardware
You will need:
- 1 × 3/4 in / 20 mm buckle
- 2 × Sam Browne studs
- 2 × LOXX closures
- 4 × 1 in / 25 mm buckles
- 4 × 1 in / 25 mm D-rings
The combination of buckles, D-rings, Sam Browne studs and LOXX fasteners gives Clint its distinctive traditional backpack appearance while keeping the different sections secure.
Tools
Basic leatherworking tools are all that is required:
- Cutter or leather knife
- Hand-stitching needles
- 1/16 in / 1.5 mm hole punch
- Cutting mat
- Mallet
Your usual edge-finishing, marking, punching and leatherworking tools may also be used according to your preferred construction method.
Skill Level
Best suited to intermediate leatherworkers or confident beginners with previous leathercraft experience.
You should be comfortable with:
- Cutting leather accurately
- Punching stitching holes
- Hand stitching
- Installing buckles and D-rings
- Installing Sam Browne studs
- Installing LOXX closures
- Building and attaching leather straps
- Gluing leather components
- Edge finishing
Clint is a particularly satisfying project for makers who want to move beyond simple wallets and flat goods into structured leather bags with multiple straps, hardware components and layered construction.
Why You'll Like This Pattern
Classic Backpack Construction
Clint combines a tall structured body, large top flap, front cargo pocket and traditional leather straps to create a backpack with strong heritage character.
Compact Everyday Size
At approximately 13 in / 33 cm tall and 10.2 in / 26 cm wide, Clint provides practical everyday capacity without the proportions of a full-size travel backpack.
The 3.5 in / 9 cm depth keeps the profile relatively slim while still providing useful interior space.
Suitable for Many 13-Inch Devices
The vertical proportions make Clint suitable for many compact 13-inch laptops, ultrabooks and tablets.
Because device dimensions vary considerably even when the advertised screen size is the same, always compare the actual dimensions of your device with the finished backpack before beginning your build.
Large Front Pocket
The separate front pocket provides additional storage for smaller everyday items while becoming one of the main visual features of the backpack.
Traditional Hardware Details
Buckles, D-rings, Sam Browne studs and LOXX closures give Clint a mechanical, traditional leather-goods character that works especially well with brass, antique brass and other aged hardware finishes.
Adjustable Leather Shoulder Straps
The heavy leather shoulder straps can be adjusted using the buckle hardware, allowing you to set the backpack up for your preferred carrying position.
Hand Cut or Laser Cut
Use the PDF files for a traditional hand-cut build or use the included DXF file with compatible laser-cutting equipment.
A0, A4 and US Letter Included
The printable files include A0, A4 and US Letter formats, making the pattern easier to print regardless of where you are located.
American makers can print the tiled version on standard 8.5 × 11 in US Letter paper without converting an A4 pattern.
Designed for Contrasting Leather
The main body and structural leather components can be made from different hides, allowing you to create a two-tone backpack similar to the example shown in the photographs.
Try a distressed pull-up leather body with darker vegetable-tanned straps, combine natural leather with dark brown accents, or build the entire backpack from matching leather for a quieter appearance.
What You Are Purchasing
This listing is for a DIGITAL LEATHERCRAFT PATTERN.
You are not purchasing the finished Clint backpack shown in the photographs.
Leather, hardware, tools, thread and all other physical materials are not included.
The finished backpacks shown in the photographs demonstrate the construction, proportions and appearance you can achieve using the pattern.
Because leather develops its own grain, pull-up effect, patina and surface character, every finished Clint can look slightly different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a finished leather backpack?
No. This is a digital leatherworking pattern used to make the backpack shown in the photographs. No physical backpack is shipped.
What files are included?
You receive printable PDF pattern files in A0, A4 and US Letter, plus a DXF file for compatible laser-cutting workflows.
Do I need a laser cutter?
No.
The PDF files can be printed and used for traditional hand cutting. The DXF file is included for leatherworkers who prefer laser cutting.
Is there a video tutorial?
Yes. A video build guide accompanies the pattern so you can follow the construction process alongside the pattern pieces.
YouTube subtitles can be automatically translated into the language of your choice using CC → Settings → Subtitles → Auto-translate.
What are the finished dimensions?
Approximately:
13 in tall × 10.2 in wide × 3.5 in deep
33 × 26 × 9 cm
Will a laptop fit inside?
Clint is best suited to compact laptops and tablets, particularly devices in approximately the 13-inch laptop class.
As a practical guideline, look for a laptop body measuring approximately 12 × 8.7 in / 30.5 × 22 cm or smaller.
Many slim 13-inch laptops and MacBook Air-size devices fall within this range. Some compact 14-inch devices may also be small enough, but fit cannot be guaranteed.
Check the physical dimensions of your specific device rather than relying only on its screen diagonal.
The listed backpack measurements are exterior finished dimensions, so actual interior clearance will be slightly smaller.
What leather thickness should I use?
For the main body, use approximately 2.4 oz / 1 mm leather.
For the contrasting structural components, use approximately 4 oz / 1.6–2 mm vegetable-tanned leather.
For the shoulder straps, use approximately 9 oz / 3.6 mm leather.
How much leather will I need?
Plan on approximately 11 sq ft / 1 m² for the main body, plus the required contrasting and heavier strap leather.
Actual leather consumption may vary according to hide shape, defects, cutting layout, leather direction and whether you make test pieces.
What hardware does the pattern use?
You will need:
- 1 × 3/4 in / 20 mm buckle
- 2 × Sam Browne studs
- 2 × LOXX closures
- 4 × 1 in / 25 mm buckles
- 4 × 1 in / 25 mm D-rings
What is the stitching-hole spacing?
The pattern uses approximately 5 mm / 0.2 in stitching-hole spacing.
Is this suitable for beginners?
A confident beginner with previous leatherworking experience can make the Clint, but familiarity with cutting, punching, hand stitching, strap construction, hardware installation and edge finishing will make the project easier.
For most makers, we would classify Clint as an intermediate leathercraft project.
Can I resize the pattern?
The pattern is designed around the stated finished dimensions.
Scaling changes stitching-hole spacing, hardware locations, buckle dimensions, strap widths, closure positions and other construction details, so we recommend using the original size unless you are comfortable modifying leather patterns.
Can I make and sell finished backpacks made from this pattern?
Please refer to the licensing and usage terms supplied with your pattern purchase for information regarding commercial use.
Build Your Clint
Choose distressed pull-up leather for a rugged heritage backpack, smooth vegetable-tanned leather for a cleaner traditional look, or combine contrasting colors to emphasize the straps and construction details.
Then choose your buckles, hardware finish, thread and edge treatment and make the Clint entirely your own.
Download the pattern and start your next leathercraft project.

