Sheilajeanne

Last I checked, the number one reason for personal bankruptcies in the U.S. was medical bills. You guys are the only developed country in the world that does this to its citizens. Since I'm a senior, my drug cost is only a $75.00 a year deductible. There's the odd drug not covered by the provincial plan, but that's extremely rare. In my entire cancer treatment my biggest expense has been for parking! Next biggest - snacks while in the hospital. And that stopped back in March when they closed everything down due to the virus... The parking fee is back, now, but for awhile I didn't have to pay that, either. So far, I've only needed the magnifier reading glasses for leatherwork, but I've always had very good eyesight. Good lighting is very important, so I installed a fluorescent tube right over my work area. If that weren't ever enough, I'd go with the headband magnifier.

Yup! Don't know if we have a similar rule here...never checked it out! BTW, I hear there's a coin shortage right now... I apologize for it. I started a swear jar!

Thank you! It was my first time trying to line a bag, and it was really a challenge. Also, the dye didn't want to go on evenly on the front panel, so I had to apply numerous coats, while trying to protect the Celtic design in the center. Yeah, without pictures of an assembled bag, that would be hard to figure out. Maybe there's someone out there who's actually done this same bag who can help. If you posted pictures of the pieces of the bag, that might help too... I mean, there's only so many ways something like that can go together!

The vertical bag had a pocket on the outside (front of the bag) and on the back, but the inside was open. Here's some pictures of mine - I lined the inside with pigskin, and whipstiched the edge of the front pocket to hide a skivving accident! For assembling most bags, you usually put the bottom layers together first. Then attach the straps to the gussets, and stitch the gussets in place*. The flap can go on at pretty much any time in the assembly. Those bottom layers were a b***h to sew because there were so many, and you had to make sure you got them in the correct order! If I were ever doing a similar bag, I'd eliminate at least one of the pockets, or make it so the pocket wasn't one of the layers at the bottom. When I was putting the gussets in place, I was sewing through FIVE layers of leather! * With the straps being sewn in, I probably could have done it after I assembled the bag. But if you're using rivets, it would be easier to do it before! (I actually don't remember if I did it before or after, I just remember doing a lot of cursing when sewing the gussets!) Make SURE you tack the layers together before sewing. That will help reduce the amount of swearing!

There's a video online for the vertical kit, but it's so sped up, don't know if it would be any help. Also, the narrator talks about how helpful and easy to follow the printed instructions were...

I am fairly sure I have the instructions for that bag. Is this it? https://tandyleather.ca/collections/kits/products/messenger-bag-kit-vertical Edit: okay, you said horizontal, not vertical...but looking at the two bags, i THINK the instructions would be similar. https://www.amazon.ca/HORIZONTAL-MESSENGER-BAG-LEATHER-TANDY/dp/B00GUTKUJQ

One for us leatherworkers who make coin pouches:

LOL! Here's another mask funny:

My room mate did this once when she ran out of dishwasher detergent: Life-long learning takes time and often a mop. beginner error: do not use a half cup of Dawn instead of dish detergent

OMG, that's funny! I remember this cartoon - pretty sure it was The Born Loser. He goes into a fancy restaurant, and orders a steak. He asks the waiter for ketchup. The waiter pauses, rolls his eyes and replies, "NO!"

The leather used in Tandy kits often isn't the best quality, unfortunately!

Fred, this one's for you! Edit: oh yeah, I remember that scene well!

I'm sure there's a few of us who can relate to this cartoon!

Working great now! Thank you for the fix!

[sigh!] I AM using Chrome!