[Hermes Inspired Handbag]

On 2/12/2025 at 7:42 AM, toxo said:

Nice job! Did you make it from a pattern? Good job either way but I know how difficult complex bags can be without a pattern and how much forward planning goes into it. Also how difficult it can be to line things up with no straight lines. Lining up that bottom strap with the side straps to allow for the piping for example.

These big makers that have a different machine set up for each part of the process have it easy. It's a bit different when you have to set your one machine up differently for different parts of the processes. Well done.

Thanks so much!  I used a pattern from leathercraftpattern.com. I highly recommend their patterns by the way.  super detailed and come with hundreds of photos of the various stages of construction.

 

Yes, it was definitely a labor of love.  easily 50+ hours over a couple month period.  No machines were used in the making of this bag.  I guess the time I saved not setting machines up was quickly spent hand sewing, skiving, etc.

[Hermes Inspired Handbag]

On 2/12/2025 at 4:02 AM, dirk87 said:

Can i ask about your stitching?
Which size irons and awl do you use? And which thread size, looks like linen?

thank you!

3.0 Irons.  I didn't use an awl much for stitching because most pieces I pre-punched, which ended up working out well.  thread is polyester.  Meisi Xiange Twist  #25 (0.45mm)

[Hermes Inspired Handbag]

yes, all veg tan.  The leather is Minerva Box, I bought it from Rocky Mountain Leather Supply.

[Hermes Inspired Handbag]

Thanks everyone!

The bottom plate is reinforced with 2 mm of Salpa bonded leather sandwiched in between the top and bottom layers of veg tan.  the inside bottom looks like the "backside" of the outside bottom, so it's flat without the "strips"

yes, piping around the perimeter of the bottom.

exterior picture of the reinforced bottom plate before it was attached.

 

[Hermes Inspired Handbag]

Hey everyone, happy new year!  I wanted to share a project I recently completed that I'm really proud of.  This is my first attempt at a high-end handbag.  It's inspired by the Hermes Garden Party bag.  I'd love to know what you think! 

PS. I created an Instagram page a while back to be able to share the things I'm working on.  If you would like to check it out you can find me @ secondlineleather

one more

[Tote Bag]

WOW!

That's really beautiful Tim.  How long did the tooling take you?  It's really impressive

[Skiving with wood plane]

I've been wondering if this would work.  now I know!  Thanks for sharing, very cool.

[Mega Resource Spreadsheet]

this is great, thanks for sharing. 

[Started build of my first stitching pony]

this is cool, nice job

 

[When in doubt, wrap it in leather!]

nice!  love it.  You wouldn't want that coffee getting cold.

[My dogs new jewelry]

really nice.  Love the look of the double stitch lines with different colors

[When in doubt, wrap it in leather!]

Sometimes I see something random that is asking to be wrapped in leather.  This time it was a bottle opener I had laying around.  I know I'm not the only one who can't resist the urge to tinker with things and thought it could make for a fun topic.

Let's see what you got!  tools, random containers, the family cat... the more ridiculous and unnecessary the better!

 

[Man With No Name rig!]

Nailed it!  form meets function.  Really nice work.

[Line 20 and 24 snaps - post bends]

try using a small Phillips head screwdriver on the post first.  put the tip of the screwdriver in the post and tap gently with just enough force to make four little notches in the post.  Then it should roll down easier with setter. 

[New leather splitter]

please let us know how you like it.  I'm looking for an affordable splitting option that actually works.  How wide of a piece can it split?

[leathercraft CAD]

Wow!  I'm so glad you made this thread. I had no idea this existed and have been searching for something exactly like it.

[Duck Sling]

Thanks for the tips everyone!

 

[Duck Sling]

Thank you!  I'll look into snowseal.  Do you know if it would affect the color of the leather?

[Duck Sling]

A friend commissioned a duck sling from me which I've never made before, but how hard could it be?  He wanted something unique and told me to surprise him.  I ended up spending more time on it than I should have but am really pleased with how it came out.  Just wanted to share with y'all! 

Also, if anyone has advice on what I can do to make it water resistant I'd love to hear it.

[Magnetic bookmark]

Thanks Frodo I'll give that a try

[English Style Briefcase]

I agree with everyone else here, you absolutely should not be reluctant to show this off.  I think it's super nice and the craftsmanship is outstanding. Great job!

[Laptop briefcase]

really nice, well done!

 

[Magnetic bookmark]

Looks great.  I tried making one of these recently but it didn't come out as good as yours.  my dimensions were off and it just looked a little strange.  Would you be wiling to share your pattern?

[Nifty little measuring tool]

Are those long enough to set widths on a strap cutter?

[Various finished projects]

I had a scrap leftover from the painted cardholder above that was just big enough for a watch strap.  I'm really pleased with how it came out.  Hope y'all like it!