motocouture

So, my Harley was a-callin' (sunny, 82F and a light breeze.....no choice really), didn't make as much headway sewing as I wanted to this weekend, but here are a couple of update pics. Also ran out of thread with just half of the zip to go, naturally. Now waiting for my package from Egyptian thread

Thank you! Tote bag must've taken some work! Haven't been brave enough to try one yet : )

Thanks mate! Great idea on the contrasting piping, too! Thank you so much! With winter coming, wish I was down in AZ! Much appreciated! Thank you! Looks like your in the same general area of Philly : ) Thanks! Yes, the main reason being I don't have a suitable sewing machine for this work (although I do for garment sewing), and also because I really enjoy the 'zen' of hand stitching. I'm using 0.6mm tiger thread, with size 004 needles, and about 8-9 spi (will have to check the exact mm size of my pricking iron). I have used 0.8mm tiger thread with 002 needles with the same pricking iron on another project, but for aesthetics I prefer the thinner thread on this one.

Love seeing the step by step pics, thank you! BTW, I use "Picture Resizer", an app on my iPad to resize photos straight from my photo album really quickly (I lost patience with the whole emailing to myself thing : )

Thanks!! finally managed to get the bag turned right side out. Also decided to do a stiffener and lining on the inside, made from thin kitchen cutting mat. The lining material is some bonded Burberry cotton canvas I had left over from another project. Now, just need to stitch the zip in

Thanks! Slowly getting there...now the base is fully stitched and ready for turning, along with one of my 'helpers'

Thanks Stetson912!! I'm really glad! I get so much inspiration and help from this forum, trying to give a little back

Finally starting to look like a bag!

Correct, no gussets, just lapped side seams for the front and back pieces. Was a little tricky to finesse the pattern so that the length and curve of the front / back lower edge matches the rectangular base, while giving the right 'lean' on the front / back (had to dig out some very rusty high school geometry & trig). Thanks! For the zipper, I buy RiRi zipper tape by the yard, and then add the zipper pull. That way I don't have to worry about the exact length, and can use any offcuts for smaller projects. Also, below is a photo of the half lining and zip interior. Little messy at the moment, but will tidy up the zip end later (cover with grosgrain ribbon). I'm not doing a full lining or pockets for this one, since it's a prototype, but it would probably be straightforward to add in pockets using the decorative stitching line. Thinking chèvre or kangaroo might make a nice lining for the 'real' one.

I figure if I keep it simple I have less to mess up I'll have to research the Stohlman way, sounds interesting. Yep, going to be turned (eventually) - pic below of the front and back of the bag. Trying to do as much on the flat as possible. Experimented with using some 3M 45 spray adhesive to lightly coat one side to hold the overlaps while I punched the stitching holes down one side, then untacked and did the same on the other (to avoid using an awl too much once the sides are stitched into a 'cylinder'. I might have to start looking into a splitter....

I'm sure you're being far too hard on yourself! Couple of pics below on the piping progress. I just took a 30mm wide strip, hand skived it down (splitter is looking more appealing by the day), glued and folded in half. No internal welt or cord. I cut slits in the corners so it could bend ok. Was worried about having a clean width of piping showing (cos I was a bit off when I glued the piping to the base), so I figured if I punched the stitches now while I can see the piping, then glue the sides of the bag, I can use the holes on the back of the base as a guide for an awl. Btw, the slight staining around the stitch holes is braiding soap (David Morgan's recipe). I use a small amount to lubricate the stitching iron, which makes it really easy to pull out, and also seems to make the thread go through the hole a little easier.

Thanks! Chipping away at it! I'll try and post some more photos tomorrow; been out all week on business travel...will be good to get back to the bench : )

Thank you, and yup, and somehow at the start I always think it'll be less stitching than it actually is

Shaping the piping before gluing down. Going to be fun to stitch, I'm sure ...

Thanks, much appreciated!

Nice work!

Making progress on the strap

These are really nice. I've been doing some research for a while, trying to find sleek, slimline document holders for meetings at work, and there's surprisingly little out there. Great work.

So, I think it's time to invest in one of those 12+ teeth stitching irons lol. 34" shoulder strap all punched ready for stitching. Had to add a 'decorative feature' in the middle since I didn't have any pieces long enough for a single run

Thank you so much! Trying to use up my scrap leather in a productive way : ) Appreciate the kind words, will be sure to post more pics...

Fingers crossed! Thanks! I'd love to take the credit, but that truly belongs to the designers of the luxury bag that I'm using as inspiration....I like the sleek look it gives. Thanks Brian! I have a dream of working in croc someday. If I ever do, I'm sure I'll be bugging you then you can get out more

Figured since I made something for hubby, time for a project for myself . Using some scrap Horween Essex (thanks @nstarleather!) to make a prototype handbag, before using my nice Parisian Blue Horween. Hand stitched in 0.6mm Colonial Tan tiger thread, and paracord core in the handles, hardware from the Buckleguy. Will post pictures as I (slowly) progress. Aim is to stab myself less than @YinTx

Nice! Thanks for walking through the process you used to repair it.

@RockyAussie Thanks mate, the pictures are great! Always love seeing the inside of how things are made

Nice! I know that 'bored at midnight feeling'