In this video, This Old House host Kevin O’Connor meets maker Jimmy DiResta at his new workshop to take on a simple leather working project that anyone can tackle.

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It’s been a few years since the Ask This Old House team and Jimmy DiResta worked together. Host Kevin O’Connor ended the drought by heading up to Jimmy’s Upstate NY workshop to catch up. Jimmy gave him a tour of the new space while he was there, but he also helped Kevin expand his skillset by teaching him how to make a leather tote bag. Here’s how they did it.

Time: One day
Cost: Around $200 (including leather and tools)
Difficulty: 2/5

Where to find it?
Jimmy traces out the shape of the leather fabric using an awl [https://homedepot.sjv.io/k0ve9x]. Then, he cuts it out with a razor blade [https://homedepot.sjv.io/Qy32ja] and a ruler [https://homedepot.sjv.io/5gP1kb] to keep the cutting line straight. Then, he uses a rubber mallet [https://homedepot.sjv.io/y2E3Oy] to help shape the folds of the bag.

To stitch the bag, Jimmy uses a fork punch [https://amzn.to/3Od5xSR] to poke holes in all the sections of the bag: two sides and the bottom. He then stitches the leather using a needle and leather sewing thread [https://amzn.to/48VIvrA], going in a crisscross pattern through each hole. To ensure the stitching won’t come undone, Jimmy applies a bead of PVA glue [https://amzn.to/3tTi7jm] to the bottom stitch on each side of the bag.

Jimmy applies a small amount of leather edge finish [https://amzn.to/47UwMZy] manufactured by Fiebing’s [https://fiebing.com/product/edge-kote/] to finish the edge. To secure the handles, Jimmy secures them with saddle rivets [https://amzn.to/47QIqnY].

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Materials:
Leather hide [https://amzn.to/3SrWY9k]
Large sheet of thick paper [https://amzn.to/3OegCmw]
Waxed string and leather needles [https://amzn.to/48VIvrA]
PVA glue [https://amzn.to/3tTi7jm]
Rivets [https://amzn.to/47QIqnY]
Edge Kote leather edge finish [https://amzn.to/47UwMZy]

Tools:
Fine marker or scratch awl [https://homedepot.sjv.io/k0ve9x]
Razor knife [https://homedepot.sjv.io/Qy32ja]
Steel straight edge or ruler [https://homedepot.sjv.io/5gP1kb]
Dividers [https://homedepot.sjv.io/3ermkr]
Mallet [https://homedepot.sjv.io/y2E3Oy]
Leather stitching forks [https://amzn.to/3Od5xSR]
Skive [https://amzn.to/3vOD2EM]
Rivet setter [https://homedepot.sjv.io/Y9RL4e]
Diagonal-cutting pliers [https://homedepot.sjv.io/y2Q4mb]

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About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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Leather Tote with Jimmy DiResta | Build It | Ask This Old House
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