Deanr

Very nice work. Are you stitching the bag right side out with your hands inside the bag? If yes then very very nice work. If not please enlighten me. Also I would like to see a picture of the lining and one of how you attach the flap. Thanks.

After my first and only attempt, which I primarily used pyrography, I really appreciate your work. I struggled with the texture. It was all trial and error with the intention for a bit rustic. I made this for my friend who is native american.

RLTW

Thanks for the explanation, how about pictures of any current messanger bags.

I really like the sewing detail on your bag. Excellent work. What does the zipper on the flap access? Just the flap or is that how you open the bag? I assume it was done with a machine, what type? How do you do the seam on that center panel? I would also like to see more pictures.

I use a lsz ultrafeed and I make bags. I don't think it is the glue. I use seamstick tape as it is not as messy and allaround easier. My experience is it is usually the tension. I have mine pretty much cranked down all the way and back off about 1/2 turn. You didn't say what type of leather. I have much better luck with Chrome tan. Also try putting in a new needle and remove your bobbin and make sure there are no pieces of thread down there.

Very good work. On the flap, on the final stitching, do you punch from the outside? If yes, how do you keep the the binding so tight?

I usually buy chrome tan that is on sale. Lately I get it from tandy. Yes I try for 5 oz/2 mm

https://youtu.be/iSSkCZGyR64 There is the imbedded video which I don't know how to delete so there is also the link. The video shows sewing the long panels flat. One bottom and two side and the narrower zipper panel. Then turn it into a cylinder and sew the last seam. The last seam is a side panel to the zipper panel. Prior to sewing the last seam all four panels measure 35.5. The circle ends are 12 in diameter. The round ends will pucker if the cylinder isn't just right. I add 1/2 in for seam allowance. Springfield sells the pattern which I purchased but maybe not required. The zipper panel follows the curve of the end pieces just like the rest of the bag. I use a sailrite ls1 machine which I had before I started leatherwork. Maybe not the best but works good for this application. When I try to sew two pieces of veg tan I have trouble with skipped stitches so I just hand sew those. They make a leatherworker machine that would probably work better. Hope this isn't too confusing

I do similar bags which I use a combo of leather and canvas. I use a machine. I think alot of your problems will be rectified if you use a machine. The lumpy ends could be fixed by adjusting the width of the sides as the bag lays flat prior to sewing it in a cylinder. Sometimes a small adjustment can make a difference. My ends are 12 inch and prior sewing the cylinder I try for 35 1/2. I use 5 oz chrome tan and have never skived. I do not line mine. My machine is a flat bed and my biggest problem was sewing the seam when it goes from flat to cylinder. I sew that outside out and the turn it inside out to sew the ends on. Springfield leather has a good instructional video. I also run my straps all the way across the bottom.

I like that construction for the bottom. Is the rest of the purse veg tan? Where did you get it?

I like it alot from the handles to the liner to the zipper. Really good work. What is on the bottom inside? Is that piping on the bottom?

Thanks. Just wanted to add that the one in the picture is not waxed canvas. Sometimes the lighter color wax canvas has a dirty look. Less appealing, more functional. Biggest challenge is sewing that panel with the zipper on my flatbed. Basically sewing it from a flat panel into a cylinder.

I've been making duffle bags from a combination of chrome tan and canvas. Sometimes I use waxed canvas which I make myself. The waxed canvas is pretty easy and not too expensive. I get factory seconds from big duck canvas. I do not line them so I use 92 thread for everything. I have a sailrite lsz which does good as long as I don't use veg tan. Maybe not the best machine but works good for this application.

I have been doing some painting of leather and I like to use acrylic paint that has been thinned alot. I like the angelus for consistency. I thin to the point it is almost like water, or dye. I like the 4 oz bottles and put on the twist top so I can count the number of drops. I also use the angelus 2- thin. Use 1 part paint and 1 part thinner and as many as 5 parts water. Think of water color paints as a kid. At this point it can take a couple coats but I feel it absorbs like dye rather than laying on top like paint. When mixing for a new color i have to look it up. Google says 1 part yellow to one part blue. Then to lighten add one part yellow. One drop at a time. To darken 1 drop red at a time. I use a brush mostly but if thinned enough I can use my little battery powered airbrush. You can get some handy accessories zat dollar tree for painting.