Chux

Thanks for the encouragement. It's funny how you find out about different kinds of sewing machines after you buy one... I'll get it eventually, I'm sure but it's damn frustrating!! Grrrrrrrrr

This is what I'm trying to learn how to use. I bought two different kinds of guides, one is magnetic and the other attaches with screws. The magnetic one seems to slide on me when I attempted to use it (once, lol) and I haven't attempted sewing with the other one yet, I bought both directly from sailrite, if that matters at all. Having to adjust the tension while sewing different thickness makes total sense, but to be honest...that never even occurred to me. I think alot of my issues with it is ME. I'll intend to stop stitching and inadvertently go full bore and the thing takes off. That's me being an idiot and pressing the pedal in the wrong direction. Can't blame the machine for my lack of coordination.

Thank you. I'm just plodding along trying to figure out what I'm doing.

I posted the first one I made in my previous post about trying my hand at a tote bag, but didn't want to "pollute" that post. Anyhow here's my second attempt at a bucket bag. I tried taking some of the suggestions I had received in the original post and making use of them on this one. It's slow going trying to teach myself how to use a machine but I'll keep plugging along Thanks for looking

I didnt think this deserves a separate post so I'm just throwing in with my other bag. I tried taking some suggestions of folding my edges and making it look more "finished". That being said, it's still practice, teaching myself how to machine sew. Lots of room for improvement, but this was pretty much a snip and stich as I went project.

I'll definitely look into that, thanks for the suggestion!

Can you say, POS?? LOL There is a couple of "adjustment" knobs for depth and angles as well as a few different rollers. But I can't for the life of me get anything skived worth a crap. So for now I took it off the bench...

That is a really nice looking bag!! I'll have to post a pic of the skiver I bought, because it doesn't look anything like yours, like I said previously, it was something I ordered off Amazon. Hindsight being what it is, I should have saved myself the money. I'm going to have to look into that texon. I did a quick Google and it seems like its a UK product and I have to figure out what it's called in the US and see if I can source it locally, finances being what they are right now, shall we say "hinder" being able to order things online at the moment. Thanks for commenting

That is a really nice looking bag!! I'll have to post a pic of the skiver I bought, because it doesn't look anything like yours, like I said previously, it was something I ordered off Amazon. Hindsight being what it is, I should have saved myself the money. I'm going to have to look into that texon. I did a quick Google and it seems like its a UK product and I have to figure out what it's called in the US and see if I can source it locally, finances being what they are right now, shall we say "hinder" being able to order things online at the moment. Thanks for commenting

Well being critical is a double edge sword lol, but hey if I wasn't looking for the truth, I wouldn't post here. So yeah it kinda sucks, but it's good too. The strap is a double layer that I glued and then stitched together. I appreciate the suggestion on skiving the edges before sewing, it's something I'll have to try when I give it another go. Idk, would changing the tension on the machine help with that? The bell skiver is a cheap, manual Chinese pos but it was "cheap" enough that I was able to swing it thinking it would make life easier on me. Not so much but live and learn I guess.

Ok so here are a couple more pics. I stuffed it with some crumpled newspaper. Not exactly square but it helps it stand. 1st is a side view, then the bottom and lastly the top edge with some of the lining. I can pretty much guarantee things will change as I try and make more. I bought a bell skiver off Amazon and let me tell you, I can DESTROY a lot of leather REALLY FAST with that thing!! The edges look like a heart monitor... Just gotta keep trying to get better I guess

Thank you. They aren't "perfect" but the picture does make it look worse. I have to work on my photography "skills" as well

Thank you. They aren't "perfect" but the picture does make it look worse. I have to work on my photography "skills" as well

First, I will have to try and add more photos tomorrow hopefully that will help. Now for your questions... The base is flat, pretty much the same as a gift bag, if that helps. Yes, I lined it. I made a cloth "bag" from the same pattern and sewed that in. No closures,inside pockets would be beyond me knowing how to do at this point. Raw strap edges, I think next time I'll cut them wider and try skiving them down and sandwiching the edges inside if that makes sense? Yep, chrome tanned and unfortunately I don't know the weight. I had bought that leather probably 6 or 7 years ago and pretty much just went by "feel". I don't mind the questions at all, I'm still trying to figure out what I'm doing with every project that I attempt.

So I'm still trying to learn how to machine sew and not having any idea how to upload multiple pictures, I'm posting the "best" picture I have of one of the tote bags I finished. Nothing even close to what some of you are posting, but I'm pretty happy with it. Having dropped more than a months rent over a year ago I finally had enough of not knowing how to use a sewing machine and am finally starting to try and make purchasing one worthwhile. Comments, thoughts, I'll take whatever you might have to say. Thanks for looking!