Build a Compact Leather Tote With Everyday Character
Small enough to carry comfortably, structured enough to feel substantial.
The Valerie Mini Tote Leather Pattern gives you the files and specifications to build a compact leather tote with two top handles, a removable adjustable shoulder strap, magnetic closure and an interior sleeve for organizing smaller essentials.
At approximately 11.6 in / 29.5 cm tall, Valerie has a narrow, upright silhouette that works especially well in leather. The shaped sides give the tote useful depth without making it bulky, while the reinforced lower section adds structure and gives you plenty of opportunity to combine contrasting leathers.
Carry it by the handles or clip on the shoulder strap for hands-free use.
Make Valerie in rustic pull-up leather, smooth vegetable-tanned leather, contrasting colors or matching tones and create a bag with a completely different personality each time.
DIGITAL PATTERN — NO PHYSICAL BAG 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
Finished Size
Height: 11.6 in / 29.5 cm
Width: 8.7 in / 22 cm
Depth: 3.7 in / 9.5 cm
Handle drop: 4.7 in / 12 cm
Inner sleeve: 6.7 × 6.7 in / 17 × 17 cm
The Valerie is a compact tote with enough depth for everyday essentials while maintaining its tall, slim profile.
Recommended Materials
Main Body
- 2.5 oz / approximately 1 mm leather
- Approximately 6 sq ft / 0.6 m²
Shoulder Strap
- 9–10 oz / approximately 3.6–4 mm leather
Interior Sleeve
- 2 oz / approximately 0.8 mm leather
- Approximately 1 sq ft / 0.1 m²
Construction Supplies
- 1 mm waxed thread
- Edge dye
- Leather glue
Stitching-hole spacing: 5 mm / approximately 0.2 in
Leather type, color, thread and hardware finish are entirely up to you.
Hardware
You will need:
- 6 × round neodymium magnets — 0.6 × 0.08 in / 15 × 2 mm
- 2 × 3/4 in / 20 mm D-rings
- 1 × 0.6 in / 15 mm buckle
- 2 × 0.6 in / 15 mm swivel hooks
The removable shoulder strap attaches with swivel hooks, while the magnetic closure helps keep the top of the tote clean and easy to access.
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 and leatherworking tools may also be used according to your preferred construction method.
Skill Level
Best suited to intermediate leatherworkers or confident beginners with basic leathercraft experience.
You should be comfortable with:
- Cutting leather accurately
- Punching stitching holes
- Hand stitching
- Installing D-rings, swivel hooks and a buckle
- Installing magnets
- Gluing leather components
- Edge finishing
The Valerie is a particularly satisfying project for makers who want to move from simple flat goods into structured handbags and totes.
Why You'll Like This Pattern
Two Ways to Carry It
Use the top handles for a classic handbag-style carry or attach the adjustable shoulder strap when you want your hands free.
Compact Without Feeling Tiny
At 11.6 in / 29.5 cm tall and 8.7 in / 22 cm wide, Valerie sits between a small handbag and a full-size tote.
The 3.7 in / 9.5 cm depth gives it useful capacity while preserving the tall, clean silhouette.
Interior Organization
A 6.7 × 6.7 in / 17 × 17 cm inner sleeve gives you a dedicated place for smaller items instead of leaving everything loose inside the bag.
Magnetic Closure
Six concealed round magnets help bring the opening together while keeping the exterior simple and uncluttered.
Hand Cut or Laser Cut
Use the PDF files for a traditional hand-cut build or the included DXF file with compatible laser-cutting equipment.
US Letter Included
American makers can print the pattern on standard 8.5 × 11 in US Letter paper without converting an A4 pattern.
Designed for Leather Combinations
The lower reinforcement, handles, strap and attachment pieces can be made in a contrasting leather for a two-tone design like the green and brown example shown in the photographs.
You can also make the entire tote in one leather for a quieter, more traditional look.
What You Are Purchasing
This listing is for a DIGITAL LEATHERCRAFT PATTERN.
You are not purchasing the finished Valerie tote shown in the photographs.
Leather, hardware, tools, thread and all other physical materials are not included.
The finished bags shown in the photographs demonstrate the construction, proportions and appearance you can achieve using the pattern.
Because leather develops its own surface character, pull-up, vegetable-tanned and other natural leathers can make every finished Valerie look different.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a finished leather tote?
No. This is a digital leatherworking pattern used to make the tote shown in the photographs. No physical bag 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.
What are the finished dimensions?
Approximately:
11.6 in tall × 8.7 in wide × 3.7 in deep
29.5 × 22 × 9.5 cm
Handle drop is approximately 4.7 in / 12 cm.
How large is the inside sleeve?
Approximately:
6.7 × 6.7 in / 17 × 17 cm
What leather thickness should I use?
For the main body, the pattern is designed around approximately 2.5 oz / 1 mm leather.
For the shoulder strap, use approximately 9–10 oz / 3.6–4 mm leather.
The internal sleeve is designed for approximately 2 oz / 0.8 mm leather.
How much leather will I need?
Plan on approximately:
- 6 sq ft / 0.6 m² for the main body
- 1 sq ft / 0.1 m² for the interior sleeve
- Additional heavier leather for the shoulder strap
Actual leather consumption may vary according to hide shape, defects, cutting layout and whether you make test pieces.
What magnets does the pattern use?
The design uses six round neodymium magnets measuring approximately 15 mm diameter × 2 mm thick / 0.6 × 0.08 in.
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 some previous leatherworking experience can make the Valerie, but familiarity with cutting, punching, hand stitching, hardware installation and edge finishing will make the project easier.
For most makers, we would classify it as an intermediate leathercraft project.
Can I resize the pattern?
The pattern is designed around the stated dimensions.
Scaling changes stitching-hole spacing, hardware locations, strap dimensions, magnet placement and other construction details, so we recommend using the original size unless you are comfortable modifying leather patterns.
Build Your Valerie
Choose a smooth leather for a polished handbag, pull-up leather for a rugged everyday tote, or combine contrasting colors to emphasize the structure of the design.
Then choose your hardware, thread and edge finish and make the Valerie entirely your own.
Download the pattern and start your next leathercraft project.
