Make a Designer-Inspired Italian Leather Bag with a New Project Box
I’m very excited to introduce leather project boxes for bag makers! Each project box from Simply Classic includes the leather, hardware, video tutorial, and pattern pieces to create a luxury Italian leather bag at home.
The bags featured in project boxes will be new, limited edition designs that will not be released as patterns. Let me explain why.
Project boxes allow us to bring you new designs even faster.
I get a lot of requests for tutorials and patterns inspired by particular designer bags. I wish I could do every single one, but unfortunately there’s just not enough time. Every Simply Classic pattern is the result of months of hard work — drafting, refining, testing, photographing, editing, and so on. We release at least one new pattern per quarter, but we’re always trying to do more! That’s where project boxes come in.
Bags from our project boxes are still the high quality you expect from Simply Classic, but they do not include written patterns. Instead, each project box comes with access to an exclusive video tutorial and downloadable pattern pieces to make your bag. By cutting out the longest part of the design process — the written pattern — we can bring you more new designs in between pattern releases!
Project boxes are a fun way to try new things.
Project boxes are a fantastic way to try new techniques and styles that might not lend themselves to a traditional pattern. They will also feature different kinds of leather, so you can experiment and learn new things. For example, our first project box uses double-sided leather to create a chic unlined tote. It doesn’t quite fit with our typical patterns, but it’s a fun project that I am so excited to share!
Project Box Q&A
Do you have questions about our new leather project boxes? Check out our Q&A below.
What is the difference between a project box and other Makers Kits
Project boxes are a special type of Makers Kit. All Italian Leather Makers Kits include the leather and hardware needed to create one bag. What makes project boxes unique is that they feature limited edition bags that will not be sold as standalone patterns.
What is included in a project box?
Each project box includes the leather and hardware needed to create one bag. See the product page for a complete list. You will also receive access to the exclusive video tutorial and printable pattern pieces.
What else will I need to complete my bag?
You will need internet access to watch the video tutorial and a printer to print your pattern pieces. To complete your bag, we recommend using an industrial sewing machine, leather needles, and TEX-70 thread.
How does shipping work for project boxes?
Each project box has a shipping date listed on the product page. Your box will ship on or before that date. If you purchase a project box and other products in the same order, you may receive two separate shipments. Shipping costs are calculated during checkout.
Are project boxes recommended for beginners?
No, project boxes are recommended for bag makers who have experience working with leather. If you are new to leather, consider signing up for our online class Leather Bag Making by Machine. (We just announced our April 2025 session!) This course will give you the skills needed to complete future project boxes.
Are project boxes a subscription-based product?
No, each project box is sold individually. To find out when we announce a new project box, make sure to sign up for our email list. If you are interested in a bag making subscription, check out our quarterly mystery subscription box.
Can I purchase the pattern pieces and/or video tutorial separately?
No, the pattern pieces and tutorial are only available to customers who purchase a project box.
I missed the chance to buy a certain project box. Will you ever bring it back?
We don’t have plans to bring back any project boxes, but we will let you know if that ever changes. For now, stay tuned for future project boxes!
Meet Our First Leather Project Box: The Classic Tote
The Classic Tote is a designer-inspired bag featuring a timeless aesthetic. Crafted from double-sided Italian leather, this unlined tote boasts a polished finish inside and out. Its modern "wrong sides together" stitching technique allows for base coat and edge-painted details that can be customized to your preference. You can carry it as a full-sized tote or fold in the sides for a sleek, chic look.
The Classic Tote was inspired by a designer bag that I know a lot of you love: Tod’s Timeless Tote. This bag has been posted as inspiration in the Simply Classic Bag Making Community on Facebook a few times, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it! I knew I wanted to make my own version, but it wasn’t a good fit for a traditional pattern because it’s unlined. To get the right look, we need to use double-sided leather — which makes it the perfect bag for our first project box!
The project box is available in four colors: Gray, Blue/Black, Pink/Black, and Brown. Quantities are limited, so make sure to get your favorite before it’s gone.
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