Angie

Draftsight is a free CAD drawing program. It produces DWT files that can be sent to laser cutting entities for having pieces cut out professionally or you can print them on your home printer or on a professional plotter. The DWT files can also be converted to PDF for printing on a home printer. I like it, it is easy to learn and comes with lots of free "getting started" and other tutorials.

Hello, I am about to finish a small hip bag and just need to close the last two seams to assemble the bag. I wonder if there is a trick to mark the stitching line on the flesh side as using dividers doesn't work. Marking with a pen works of course, but is quite laborious.

Hi again, I took some pics of how to fold the paper model which helped me also to understand the measurements needed to get the desired final dimension. It starts with nothing more than a rectangle Then you fold it in half and "sew". If it were the leather model you´d start sewing the zipper at first and THEN this side. Here you can see what it looks like after "sewing" the side. Now make the sewing flat so that the triangle is formed. Tuck it in to meet the bottom line and sew For this explanation I did only one side. Now, I guess, you already got the trick. The folded over zipper tips will form automatically. I made the paper model several time to figure out where and when in the process I have to attach those little straps and/or additional side pockets inside or outside the bag. I made more pictures, so if something is not clear please don´t hesitate to ask me to upload more detail.

I tried to make the paper model in leather and here is the outcome. Not finished yet. It looks more or less like the one on your first picture I think. Sorry for the different threads and the imperfection, I am still a beginner. I like the little bag actually and sure will make some more in different sizes.

I searched again and found this tutorial. Maybe it could be of help for your project. I really like that kind of box-bag and will sure build one myself, too. In the tutorial she makes the one with the zipper going all the way to the bottom. http://coconutrobot.com/2014/06/the-perfect-fathers-day-gift/ AND I spent this morning doing some papercraft in order to find out the way the other model (folded over zipper tips) is done. It seems to be very easy. Here are some pictures: It is actually folded like the tetrapak. I don´t know if its called tetrapak in the US. Tetrapak is the recicable milk bin.

Hi, google "LZ patterns" and you will find a pattern for your desired type of bag and many other patterns for leather items. I purchased one already and it works. The patterns are good quality and they send the PDF patterns printable for a normal printer. They cost around 4 to 10 dollars. I think it is a good source for basic patterns.

Yes, these are really good ideas! I don´t know why I didn´t remember those places, living here close to the shore and having camping resorts everywhere around.... Soon I will have a look into a sailing shop at one of our countless yacht harbours. Thank you again, hopefully my bag/backpack/sack or whatever it will turn out to be, is finished soon, so I can post pictures

I´ll check again. Maybe the local supplier of buckles and other shoe and bag details also sells eyelets.... Thank you anyways

I am in Spain The largest eyelets I can get are too small.

Sorry, it wouldn´t attach the file

Hello over there, my newest project is a bucket style backpack/handbag. I still couldn´t make up my mind wether it is going to be a backpack or a handbag, or even a combination..... Now I am stuck with a few obstacles. Originally the idea is to pass a leather string around the upper part of the bag which goes through some metal eyelets. But to set metal eyelets of a large diameter I have to get all the necessary hardware and so on..... Therefor I was thinking about an alternative for metal eyelets. Like button holes or alike? Does anybody know how to do button holes in leather? Saludos

Thank you so much for this great tutorial. I can´t wait to start my first try with shoes. Spring has just begun and here in Spain flip-flops are, due to our warm climate, the most important footwear, called "chanclas" Angie