This post is one of several resources I created for students in my bag labs at Modern Domestic. Find the full series of posts here.
Klum House bags are durable, structured bags with sturdy leather straps secured with metal hardware. The bags were designed to be made out of water-repellant waxed canvas but can be easily customized to your liking. For each pattern below I include the line drawing, skill level, time to completion, bag features, hardware types, and links to videos or other resources to help you better visualize the bag.
A few notes:
- All illustrations by Klum House.
- If you are not currently enrolled in an in-person course/lab, I highly recommend Klum House’s online classes.
- If you’d prefer not to use leather, try the Belmont bag. With a bit of creativity, you can also substitute cotton or nylon webbing for leather straps.
Patterns by Skill Level
- Beginner: Zipper Pouch, Woodland Dopp, Portsmith Tote
- Confident Beginner: Belmont Pack & Pouch, Fremont Tote, Oberlin Tote
- Intermediate: Naito Bucket Bag, Maywood Totepack
- Advanced: Slabtown Backpack
Pattern Features
Zipper Pouch
- Beginner; 1 hour
- Fully lined
- Zipper closure
- Leather zipper pull
- Double-cap rivet
The Woodland Dopp Kit
- Beginner; 1–3 hours
- Fully lined
- Boxed corners
- Zipper closure
- Leather tabs and zipper pull
- Double-cap rivets
The Portsmith Tote
- Beginner; 1–3 hours
- Unlined
- Envelope-fold base
- No pockets
- Leather straps
- Double-cap rivets
- Optional expansions: add a zipper closure and/or lining
The Belmont Pack & Pouch
- Confident Beginner; 4–6 hours
- Unlined
- Boxed corners and French seams
- Two exterior slip pockets
- Zipper pouch with leather zipper pull
- Convertible fabric straps; can be worn as a backpack or tote and packed down into accompanying pouch
The Fremont Cross-Body Tote
- Confident Beginner; 4–6 hours
- Fully Lined
- Boxed corners
- Two exterior slip pockets and one interior slip pocket
- Zipper closure
- Leather handles, cross-body strap, and zipper pull
- Double-cap rivets and Chicago screws
- Optional expansions: Pendleton wool pocket
The Oberlin Tote
- Confident Beginner
- Unlined
- Boxed corners and French seams
- Four exterior slip pockets and one interior zipper pocket
- Leather straps
- Double-cap rivets and a magnetic snap
- Optional expansions: add a zipper closure and/or lining; Pendleton wool pocket
The Naito Bucket Bag
- Intermediate; 5–7 hours
- Fully lined
- Sew a circular base
- Exterior and interior slip pockets
- Leather cross-body strap
- Tubular rivets and magnetic snap rivet
The Maywood Totepack
- Intermediate; 6–8 hours
- Fully lined
- Boxed corners
- One exterior pocket with snap closure and one interior slip pocket for laptop
- Zipper closure and leather zipper pull
- Convertible leather straps; can be worn as a backpack or tote
- Tubular rivets and magnetic snap rivet
- Optional expansions: lightweight fabric pocket or Pendleton wool pocket
The Slabtown Backpack
- Advanced; 8–12 hours
- Fully lined
- Boxed corners
- Side water bottle pockets, front zipper pocket, hidden zipper access to main compartment
- Rolltop with snap closures
- Adjustable leather straps; leather handle, rolltop strap, and zipper pulls
- Tubular rivets and Line 24 snaps
- Optional expansions: Merino Wool Felt-Padded Straps
Keep In Touch
Thanks very much for reading! If you’d like in-person support and instruction, please sign up for my classes at Modern Domestic or reach out to schedule a private lesson. If you have any questions, feedback, or corrections regarding this post, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
Further Reading
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