My “version” of the Turenne bag and what I’ve learned

Hello everybody.

I was planning on building the Turenne bag as my next project as the class was pretty awesome but, my wife‘s friend that needed a tote and my wife asked if I could build her one. I was going to do a simpler turned bag with no lining and I even had the pattern made. Then I had a thought to do something different and use what I have learned this last year of being a member here.

As I went through the build I realized how many techniques I was able to incorporate into this build that I have learned since becoming a member. Pretty much everything done on this build was learned in these classes.

The techniques on how to create my own pattern for this build was gleaned from the De Havilland bag. The course was instrumental in making me think through the project on paper and to take into consideration where to lay out handles and hardware and seam allowances.

Turenne course is what made me want to add the gussets and also the calf skin suede lining with the pocket. This build is basically a different shaped Turenne bag without a zipper and rolled handles.

Edge prep and painting was from the techniques of the edge, burnishing the veg tanned handles is from the wrapped belt buckle course. I bought a skiving machine before I had taken the course but didn’t really know how to use it correctly so even that course came in super handy.

I can’t thank Phil enough for his well thought out courses and the detail he puts into the techniques of the course and that they are more than just another “how to build this project”. Being able to have an idea and have the knowledge and techniques to make it a reality is pretty cool. I am an ongoing subscriber and will continue to be as the value from these courses has been worth every penny.

I named the bag Xadie (pronounced Sadie) Fourre-Tout. Xadie is my awesome granddaughter (she was my model for the pictures) and fourre-tout, according to google, translates to roughly a hold all or catch all.

It is 16” wide and about 13” tall.

It was made from pebbled chrome tanned leather with a calfskin suede lining. I used salpa for stifffner on the front and back. The handles were made from Wicket and Craig veg tanned straps. I rolled the edges around the top and painted the edges down the side with Uniter’s edge paint.

The feet and other attachments are solid brass I got from Buckleguy.com.

Overall it came out way better than I even thought was possible. I am posting here before I post it to my Instagram because I felt it appropriate to share with this community first. Even though I don’t post much, I do lurk these forums religiously and all your input and advise to each other has been invaluable to my growth.

Hope you enjoy.

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