Jump to content

gicts

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Content Count

    65

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by gicts

  7. Posted · Edited by gicts · Report reply

    Really does look great for early attempts!

    I am still trying to work my way up to bags

    Jump in!

    definitely line the cover - maybe with some kind of stiffener fabric and then possibly some light pigskin. also stitching around the perimeter of the flap will finish it nicely.

    or you could add an outside pocket with a zipper to the flap. more storage, heavier flap.

    In hind site I should have lined it. If/When I do another I will certainly do that and probably roll the edges.
    OK sorry I looked quick and wasn't expecting the flap to cover the entire front so I assumed I was seeing the back. as everyone said stitching will hep tie it all together but if you are doing it by hand it sure can seem like a lot of stitching for looks alone!

    No problem! Thanks for the advice, I think it turned out ok.

    Here it finally is. I stitched the edges and added an 'emblem'. It weighted the flap nicely but the edges still curl a bit, Oh well, a great lesson and a decent Valentine's gift! I didn't even have to buy roses!!!

    post-6825-038603200 1329224877_thumb.jpg

  8. Posted · Edited by gicts · Report reply

    Nice bag! I'd tool another fleur di lis on a separate piece of leather and stitch it on like a patch. Also, run a stitch around the edge of the flap for a nice finish detail.

    Andy

    Andy, thank you very much. I think that's what I will do. It will give it a finished look as well as extra weight! Thanks!

    I like to line my flap that way it stiffens it up a bit, the stitching is uniform all the way around and takes some of the plainness away and I add a small strip to attach the handle to and then that is hidden by the flap liner as well. Why no pic's of the front with the flap closed? With that said I like the bag. Nice brown, what did you use?

    Thanks! I thought about lining it but couldn't come up with something to line it with. Lining it with leather would have ended up having me use an entire side! I used Fiebling's Light Brown dye and Springfield's mid grade 4/5oz tooling side. I'm not sure what you mean by no pics of the flap closed. The first one is of that. Looks a lot like the back!

    You could always follow your fleur de lis pattern through and carve one on a separate bit of leather and then stitch it onto the front? the bag is looking very good, I hope when I eventually get the courage to make my first big bag it looks half as good! You could also maybe crease the edges, it might help to make the flap look more 'finished'

    Natalie

    Thanks Natalie!

    I'm afraid the pictures are deceiving and it isn't as nice as it looks! Good idea on creasing the edges. I'll either do that or stitch it. Gah! I still have to burnish them too!

  10. Posted · Edited by gicts · Report reply

    So here is my first messenger bag...or any bag for that matter. Where do I go from here? The front flap is very plain and flimsy...yet stiff at the same time (4/5oz veg tan). It reminds me of a sheet of poster board.

    What do you recommend I do to polish this up and make it a decent, presentable bag? I'm happy with the strap, but the front seems like a blank canvas to me.

    The color is more uniform in real life, and I have yet to put a finish on it.

    post-6825-057128100 1328629371_thumb.jpg

    post-6825-041493400 1328629377_thumb.jpg

    post-6825-021212100 1328629383_thumb.jpg

  11. Posted · Edited by gicts · Report reply

    I don't understand, could you please elaborate?

    I think the others hit on it but if you have a thick enough belt and spread the slots far enough away, it just won't bend.With that said, it looks like in the diagram you have adjusted for this by enlarging the belt slots. I can't see how a larger, diagonal hole would be better than a smaller, perpendicular slot. If you wanted something for retention, try playing with concave shapes. :head_hurts_kr:

    post-6825-071333400 1328389272_thumb.jpg

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Thank you! Don't mind at all, I get my hardware from Ohio Travel Bag. This bag is hand stitched for the main part of the body and all the parts attached to it. Detail stitching along the flap's edge and the belt were done on machine.

    Andy

    Great work and thanks for sharing! I'm planning on making a messenger bag next month for my gf's birthday. It'll be the first one that I make. I really like your style and would like for it to look similar!

  21. Posted · Edited by gicts · Report reply

    Stunning work! i really like how the bags connect to each other. Your latches are also very nice!

    I am curious, are your bags lined?

    It's a shame that you aren't selling what you thought you would. I was reading another thread and found these words to ring true:

    "I fixed a lot of Coach and Vitton and other designer handbags when we had the shop, and I don't see the quality of the workmanship improving. Cheap hardware, cheap leather or fake leather trim and panels, flimsy snaps and straps- junk. High priced junk. And the ladies wanted them repaired. They carry them for the prestige of the logo and because they match their outfit, not because the bag is practical. Keep me posted with what you come up with, Ed.

    ~J "

    It seems like you place some emphasis on Apple with your iPad and iPhone cases, and on one of your videos you pan out to show a Mac computer. For some reason that makes me wonder who you are marketing to.

    Here is my ridiculously naive and simplistic view. Keep in mind that I really do like your work and believe your prices are fair.

    Middle age women:"I can buy a Coach Bag for that price...and people will instantly know the value. At the very least I know I can get $xxx on eBay for the Coach bag when we max out the credit cards."

    Camera Men:"I don't want my camera to be housed in leather when I can have a padded bag or case with pockets. Plus thieves may not know what is inside. Oh, look! This brand has a warranty against damages...."

    The youth: "LOL, OMG"

    So that leaves us with people who are not brand eccentric, higher society, and care about paying extra for 'Made In The USA'.

    Think I couldn't be any more narrow minded or naive? I'm taking it further! Let's take a look at your stereotypical audience-

    Affluent, older businessmen or retirees. This stereotype stereotypically is not caught up in, or impressed by, the latest Apple trends. If you do find this tiny niche demographic, they'll likely be put off by your website.

    My guess is your website pics do not do your work justice. People are attracted to your work more in person, right?

    In conclusion, you need to expand your audience. You could take two routes.

    The first is to get your brand recognized by the 'in' crowd. For example, getting spoken about by celebrities, getting viewed in a movie etc etc. Ipads travel. Perhaps you can gift a few cases to producers?

    The second option....I forgot. This was my thunder too. Perhaps it will come back to me later today.

    Anyway, I hope you take this 'advice' lightly and am not too sore- I do mean well! I'm just a guy who can't sell nice (if I do say so myself) gun holsters for $40.

×
×
  • Create New...