Good day all,
It has been just over a year since I started getting into working with leather but due to work and other circumstances I had not touched it for many months. I think I was also getting bored with making little pouches etc as practice pieces. There is also the aspect that I do not get excited in making something for the sake of making it. I find it more inspiring to get into the workshop if I know what I am making is needed/wanted by someone.
With that said, I took the leap into my first large project, be it a more rustic project vs. the finer leather work on here. :) A good friend mentioned in passing that he was keen to get a cartridge bag for when he goes clay pigeon shooting which reminded me of a pattern I saw on line.
The pattern called for 2.5mm for the main body and other bits at half that. At the time I had some burgundy hide at 3.5 mm and figured all would be fine. It worked but bunched up in place. The second one was made with a navy blue hide at 2.5.
Far from perfect but if I can be so bold to say, I was personally thrilled due to never have made a bag, piping etc. I've got one more I want to make for my uncle which I hope will be better yet!
Perry,
I love how you made the leather hinge work, I can tell it is a metal pole you put in there which makes a perfect sense to minimizing frictions in between the leathers and the rod; rare to see this kind of construction in leatherwork. The choice of color scheme in leather color and thread are excellent!
I remember making my very first, which was a tote bag... and I was very ambitious with knowing nothing about leathercraft ... my stitches were irregular, wrong size of thread were used, and many more miscalculated mistakes... anyway, it is all good memories and learning curve...
I think you are being humble saying this is rustic! It is fine with traditional flare of saddle bag!
Congrats!!
Cheers,
Young
Nice work, Perry! I like the “hinged” back. Did you use a wooden or leather dowel to support the fold?
Lovely work Perry! I like how you've created a bag where the flap will stay open until you want to close it. Easy access and no lifting the flap every time you need a new shell. I wouldn't call it rustic, it's really nicely finished. Mind-blowing as a first large project.
My first proper project involved me finishing it with polyurethane wood varnish, realising I didn't like it, then removing it all by soaking the thing in acetone and dunking it in melted beeswax. How it's not a cracked mess after all this time is beyond me.
Can I ask about your desk? Did you add those cast (iron?) Royal Mail drawer pullers yourself or did they come with it? I really like it!
Hi Perry,
the blue bag looks really nice. I like the back and the way the front panel is “assembled”.