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how do I stop a motorcycle toolbag from flattening when riding? Line it with plastic? I want it to retain its shape

Hey All, I'm in the process of developing durable, hand stitched tool bags for tradesmen. The first iteration I'm working on is a traditional carpenter's bag. By trade, I'm a builder who specializes in structural masonry and timber framing. I began leather working as a way to replace the old Medallion bags that I had used for years and were falling apart. I'm quite happy with where I have landed design-wise, but believe there are a few production processes that need improvement. Generally speaking, I'm looking for any guidance on how to approach stitching through two layers of 8-10oz. leather in an efficient and frustration free manner. I'm a believer that hard work will always be hard work, but it shouldn't be frustrating. Right now, there are a few of aspects that exasperate me, and I'd like to iron them out if I can. Below, I've posted a brief overview of my stitching process and a few pictures that hopefully provide further insight. I plot out all of my stitching lines and use a groove set to hollow out a channel for the stitching to lay flush into. I use a SEIWA 6x4.5mm Stitching Iron to mark and puncture all of my runs of stitching on a cutting pad. I use large 000 harness needles with 1.0mm tiger thread waxed. I use a french styled stitching clam on some aspects of the bag, but the doubled up edges don't seem to provide enough material to clamp down. I've also used a table vise to good effect as well. Also, I sometimes wet and hammer flat the edges before stitching them in place. Currently, I rely on a little scrap leather to help push the needles through. I know I need to buy or made a some sort of glove to keep my fingers free, but should I be having to force my needles through? Hopefully, this provides enough background to my current progress and situation. Let me know what I need to explain further, and most importantly what areas I need to improve upon. Thanks for taking the time to read this and help me out. Here is a link to an imager album that I had already compiled featuring pictures of my work with a further description. Best regards, Patrick P.S. Let me know if I am formatted my post incorrectly, or have posted in the wrong place. I am still learning the rope of this forum. Thanks again

Over the weekend I picked up a piece of leather and started monkeying around. No plans, no templates suddenly I decided to make a tool bag for my bike... I mean how hard can they be? ... HA! Actually it was really fun to figure things out "on the fly" and come up with solutions to problems that came up along the way. My first mistake was using 6-7 oz leather, i should have stated with 9-10 oz. To fix that I rode down to our local Tap Plastics shop and got a piece of acrylic for 5 bucks, then build a box for the inside. 2nd mistake the flap was too short so I added a middle piece of leather and another row of stitching to make it look... well planned. I had to get creative with where to place and insert the rivets, but all in all what a fun little weekend project.

Hello everybody, I'd like to present one of our recently made custom motorcycle sets that contains motorcycle solo seat with new cover, toolbag (handlebar bag, fork bag), fork wraps, fender bib, and swingarm bag. Both bags are fully hand-stitched and reinforced with thin plastic lining that protects them from sagging. More pictures you can find here http://www.taurusseats.com/sets/bonecrusher . Feel free to click on each picture, they will guide you through different web-site sections. Let me know what you think. Thank you!