MonicaJacobson

I really like the idea. I have tried something similar, but I've tried to sew them on, rather than inlay them. I saw your other one in the gallery, and it was very nice, too. Anyway, I like your idea and your bag.

Did you do the carving as well?

I absolutely love this bag. Very professional, and I like that it's leather, but it looks kind of like a canvas and leather bag as well. I like the contrast.

Nice! I like the leather, too.

A customer liked the sewn chrome tanned bag, but wanted it in backpack form. I sewed it up over the last couple of weeks. In retrospect, I should have charged an extra hundred for the straps alone, but ah well. I've never made sewn straps, and now I know exactly how much work it is.

I'll be interested to see how the bag feet at the corners work. I haven't tried that yet. Thanks, Vhakra and Firdaus! My brother started a messenger bag this time last year when he came to visit us. At Thanksgiving I rescued it from him and brought it home to finish. It seemed like a shame for it to sit half-finished! Especially as it's that lovely oil-tanned leather.

Bigorange, I saw other conversations on this forum swearing that if you break a stitch when you use needles and saddle stitch, it will be broken but it won't unravel. They also thought that a lock-stitch with a sewing awl would unravel immediately all the way along the seam. Now, I haven't tried saddle stitch and needles yet (though I've bought the stuff), but I absolutely know for sure that the sewing from the lock stitch won't unravel as soon as it is cut. I had to take some out, and I ended up having to cut every stitch and wrestle the thread out. At least with veg tanned leather, lock stitch seems to be very sturdy. However, that said, I'm still inclined to switch to saddle stitch, since it seems to be what everybody uses. CJDevito, Cool! I was curious about what it would look like in chrome tanned. Of course, the original CK is chrome tanned, but I think it's the oilskin (or whatever) that practically stands up by itself. I'll be curious to see what you change on the next go around!

Sweet! I'm going today.

Well that's ridiculously cool...

Heh heh, thanks, that's a very helpful thought. There are so many amazing leatherworkers on this forum that's it's difficult to find the balance between what you can do at the moment and what you want to do eventually. CJ, I look forward to seeing your solution.

Hi, and glad to be of help! 1. The straps on the side are the same as the shoulder strap: 1 3/4 ". Unfortunately, I can't remember how long they were. In fact, I had to keep cutting them short when I miscalculated. 2. I'm sure I could have done this better. But I measured every 1 1/2 inches, and then removed a little more than 1/8 " of leather right on that line. Which leaves a little over 1 1/4" between each slot. 3. No, I only have the flap strap on the front, but that's not to say you couldn't have it all the way around. Mine measures 18 1/2 inches. I wove it in with the side straps, but it might look better sewn on. I'll be interested to see it when you get finished, if you plan to share!

Thanks!

Amazing. Thanks for the progress pictures!

Dude, that bag looks like it could survive a bomb. Cool!

Thanks Karina! I'm also considering getting some bison leather from buffaloleather.com. The price is excellent. 7.00 a ft. instead of 11.00 a foot.

I've been wanting to make shoes for a year or so myself, but so far haven't had the courage to give it a try, so I'll be watching your progress with interest!

Ridiculously cool, as usual.

Thanks! He wore it ALL day. And he'd better wear it more than once, that was the idea. He old fashioned armor. Maybe one day I'll help him make a complete set of armor!

Beautiful work! I like your in-progress pictures on your website as well.

I waited until the last minute to start making this, so of course it was rushed and sloppy. The edges are barely burnished. However, it was a fun project, and my son loves it! P.S. Need I add that it's for his Halloween costume?

Thanks Jenny, and Feraud! Jeremy, thanks for posting an actually usable template! Yes, I really should take the time to add pockets.. I always hesitate to start putting holes or grooving lines into leather so far away from the edge. It seems like an accident waiting to happen, even with a ruler.

Very professional looking, makes me want all of it.

I absolutely love this bag. Really nice. And bison is my favorite. I'm going to try to buy some soon for myself!

Jeremy, I'd love to see a picture! The masonite is a great idea.