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Want to give your handmade tote a completely different look? Adding leather straps with rivets is an easy way to change the style of your bag, and you don't have to sew through leather to do it.
In this tutorial, I'm showing you how to add leather straps to a finished tote bag using double-cap rivets. I'm using my Kathy Tote with a zipper closure, but you can use this same technique with other finished totes that don't already have straps sewn into the seams.
There's more freedom here than you might think.
You can leave your leather strap ends straight or change their shape. You can adjust the placement to suit your particular bag. You can choose your leather color, rivet finish and the little details that give you the finished look you want.
In the video, I'll show you how I decide where to place my straps and securely attach them with rivets. I also share two completely optional techniques: creating curved ends on your leather straps and making small leather reinforcement pieces for the inside of your bag.
Those reinforcement pieces sit between the bag fabric and the rivet to add a little extra protection at the attachment point.
Do you need to do either of those things? Nope.
It's your bag. You do you.
In this video, I'll take you through the entire process from choosing your strap placement to setting the final rivet.
For the tote in this tutorial, I used 3/4" Mesquite Brown purse straps from Springfield Leather Company.
I attached the straps with eight 10mm double-cap rivets with regular-length posts in Rose Gold from KAMsnaps.
I use my KAMsnaps Rivet Press Bundle in the video to create the holes and securely set the rivets.
You don't need every tool I show in the video. I share several options so you can decide what works best for you and the tools you already have.
Leather Crafting Tools
Leather punch, hollow punch, mallet, cutting surface and other leatherworking tools.
Rivet Tools
More options for setting and installing rivets.
Essential Bagmaking Supplies
Find my ruler, heat-erasable pens and other bagmaking tools here.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you purchase through one of my links, at no additional cost to you. I only share products and tools I use or recommend.
I'm using my Kathy Tote for this tutorial. Kathy is a structured, beginner-friendly tote and makes a great base for adding leather handles.
The Kathy in this video has a zipper closure. That version is coming soon, and I'll add the link here once it's available.
And if you're wondering about that gorgeous fabric, the tote is made with Always, designed by Belle Brunner of Seams Sew Me for Benartex Fabrics.
Looking for more ways to make handles and straps? Visit my Bag Handles + Straps YouTube Playlist for more tutorials.
If you're getting started with bagmaking, grab my free Bagmaker Starter Kit for some of my favorite resources and supplies.
And if you want to understand more of the techniques behind making structured, professional-looking bags, check out Sew Better Bags.
Leather straps are just one more way you can take a tote and make it your own. Keep them simple, add the extra details, change the hardware, change the placement.
It's your bag. You do you. Happy sewing!
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