Paulsleather

Dude, that is some crazy detail work - amazing!

Thanks KN! Thanks, the edges took time. First I cut 3/8" strips from the same leather. Next, I beveled, dyed and burnished the edges. Then, I clipped it in place with binder clips and marked and punched the holes. Attached it by glueing and stitching. Finished it with resolene and paraffin wax. Then I collapsed! Here's a little tighter shot of it.

Very classy looking both inside and out. What did you use for the lining? The interior really elevates and refines what is already an outstanding piece of work!

Here is the single gusset version done in football leather (4.5 oz) along with a folio for an iPad mini.

Thanks for the kind words craftsman827! The leather is a 7oz retanned leather. It has an interesting smoked finish which changes depending on the lighting. All hand stitched, and yes, those are Sam Browne buttons. I just like them better than the traditional brass feet they sell for bags. Those cone shaped jobbers just don't do it for me. I have another similar case, a single gusset design that I made out of football leather. I'll see if I can dig up a photo and post it.

Thanks, green barn. The customers input drove some of the functional design aspects - interior pockets and zippered back. Stick with journey, it's worth the effort!

Thanks, Jack! Checked out your blog... You've got some great looking stuff. Your towns local PD has good taste in gun leather!

Thanks, Bob & Alphonse. I'm glad you liked it! That's one of the great things about the site... Plenty gets posted around here that challenges and inspires. I've certainly found it to be the case.

Thanks, Andy. Yes, those details are where the time gets spent for sure. And, while it does try my patience , it sure gives a sense of satisfaction when it's done. Really enjoy your work - you've got some great stuff!

Wow, you nailed that one. It has a casual yet very refined style to it. We'll done sir!

Great looking finish on the leather. The rustic look totally works.

That's impressive, really like the side pockets, too. What was your inspiration for the design?

Thanks, groovy, benlilly and Misha. I can't stress enough what a help the forum has been. So many well written how to's and general pointers makes this my first stop when I've got questions on a build.

Hi folks, Here is a recently completed 16” x 11” x 4” double gusset, lock and hasp briefcase. The interior is lined with a micro suede fabric and has 3 mini pockets. The back has an exterior zippered pocket for a 13” Mac Book Air. It also has a bottom cross stitched handle, a shoulder strap and pad, and a set of brass feet. Thanks for viewing. Your comments and critique are welcome!

Thanks idle wilder, I'll check them out. Always good to have alternatives. By the way - just finished the matching case for the iPad mini. Here are some photos ... Front, back, and liner.

I hope so! They came by to pick it up today for the presentation next week. You'd think a family member died by the look on my face after they left with the bag. I was half tempted to tackle the guy in the hall way before he got to the door. Must be some deeply seated possesiveness issues going on in my psychy. Oh well, off to the next project! Thanks for the comment Mototech7!

Why thank-you, Bob. I appreciate the feed back. You know, there were more than a few instances of late night panic waking up saying "what was I thinking, I'll never get this done on time, I'm in over my head". But, I would basically tell myself - quit your whining and worrying and get after that thing! Plenty of life lessons in leatherworking, for sure. Thanks again!

Yep, mine is similar to the Tandy one but I got it at Springfield leather. I'm not sure if its the right tool for the job that I was trying to do. Let me know if you come up with a cost effective way to make one.

Yes, Adam, add maybe another 8 for the liner. Since its thinner, I cut with scissors and was able to minimize waste due to simply tracing the patterns vs taping them down on the leather.

Thanks, David.

That's it - there you go - problem solved - staring me right in the face the whole time. Thanks mate. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to do that. The only skiving I did was at the tops of the panels where I folded the leather over and stitched across the top for a clean edge. Now that I think of it, I was pretty miserable doing that skiving. Seemed like it would never end. I'm sure it was due to the fact that my technique needs work (or practice, or both)... and a sharper blade wouldn't hurt either. Thanks very much for that suggestion, RavenAus. It will really make the gusset work more manageable in the future.

It took a full double shoulder - about 12 sq feet - for the bag. I had to cut the strap from a second one, though. I now have plenty of left over for small laptop sleeves! I kept the bling to the bare minimum in order to keep a lid on costs.

Thanks, Lightningad! I whispered more than a few prayers before putting the knife and hammer to those beautiful (and yes, expensive) double shoulders. Lots of hand wringing and nervousness especially before using the drill press to bore the holes into the leather wrapped oak dowell for the handle loops. When you get the scratch together - just go for it, man! Thanks again -

Thanks, Bluesman1951 - i really appreciate the comments! That's a great question. I'm trying to visualize the suggestion but can't quite wrap my mind around it. Would I stitch it flesh side out and then turn it in side out so that the stitching along the gusset disappears? Sounds like it would look nice. I think the thickness stems from the fact that the two gussets and the center panel that they attach to (each 9 oz), are lined with the 3 oz leather (see last photo). I basically went a little overboard with the thick leather. Thanks again!

Thanks King's X - appreciate the feedback on the magnet closure and the alternatives to my nail approach. Thanks Electrathon, I'm hoping she likes the design, too, when they present it to her next week!