Announcing the Winners of the Stitchables Leathercraft Contest!

Our Halloween Skull Bag Challenge brought out some of the most creative and inspiring designs we’ve ever seen! From spooky and stylish to clever and cute, every submission showed the amazing talent and imagination within our Stitchables community.

First off, a huge thank you to everyone who participated in our first Stitchables Leathercraft Contest! We were blown away by the creativity, skill, and personality that went into each and every submission. From seasoned crafters to those picking up their first pattern, every piece reminded us why we love this community so much.

Even if you downloaded the pattern but didn’t get a chance to submit – thank you too! We can’t wait to see what you make next time. 💛

This contest was a lot tougher to judge than we expected! Every entry brought something unique to the table – different styles, colors, and ideas that made each one special in its own way. This wasn’t about skill or experience (because honestly, everyone’s work was incredible); it was about celebrating creativity and the joy of making. Choosing placements was genuinely hard, because every piece had something we loved.

🥇 1st Place – The Owl Mask Bag – @kieron

This incredible design took our breath away. The bag doubles as a holder for the mask, which is fully removable and wearable – a brilliant concept that’s both practical and imaginative. The attention to detail and construction are just beautiful. We loved the creativity and craftsmanship from start to finish.

🥈 2nd Place – The Pirate Purse – @redstickstudio

The artistry in this piece is fantastic – from the color-shifting leather to the skull-and-crossbones motif, every detail tells a story. It’s fun, bold, and versatile, making it just as fitting for everyday use as it is for Halloween or a Renaissance Faire adventure.

🥉 3rd Place Tie – The Cute Skull & The Little Ghost – @mick

These two adorable entries came from the same maker (with a little help from the next generation of crafters 👏). We love that the designs moved away from the traditional skull motif while keeping the spirit of the pattern alive. Seeing the craft passed down and shared within a family truly captures what Stitchables is all about.

4th Place – The Orange Skull & Purple Bag – @amelia

This one made us smile with its bold use of color and pattern. The orange skull paired with the purple base is striking, and the matching strap decorations bring the whole look together beautifully. It’s fun, fashionable, and full of personality!

5th Place – The Frankenstein Stitch – @vroni

What a clever and clean design! The two-tone metallic and black skull, accented with stitched “seams,” is creative and perfectly executed. It’s a great example of craftsmanship and imagination working hand in hand.

Deyan’s Favorite Halloween Bag @alasdair_tangaroa

A big Thank you to Deyan who provided us with the contest pattern. From him: “I am yet again in awe of how the collective has taken my Halloween Bag pattern and elevated it to the next level in so many creative ways. Congratulations to all participants for their amazing work — from skull alterations and cute ghosts to custom-dyed and hair-on leathers, creative closures, and elaborate bag handles — every single submission was unique and full of character.

One bag, however, truly stole my heart: the Sugar Skull Bag from @alasdair_tangaroa. The bottom jaw addition, the color scheme, and that playful mustache all come together to create a piece that feels like pure artistry. Congratulations to the winner of the “Deyan’s Favorite Halloween Bag” category!”

A Big Thank You

We’re so grateful to everyone who participated, shared their work, or even just downloaded the pattern. Your creativity inspires us and the entire Stitchables community.

We’ll be reaching out individually via the emails used for sign-up to follow up with participants. Keep an eye on your inbox!

Until next time – keep stitching, keep experimenting, and keep creating.

The Stitchables Team