A pouch for my daughter

[Brokenolmarine]

My Daughter has a medical condition that is pretty dangerous and always carries two epipens, and uses a Service Dog.  HE has started to have seizures.  Cruel World isn't it?  So she has to carry his meds as well.  She found a little pouch to hold both and has worn them out.  She asked me to make her one, rather than buy another.  It didn't have to be exactly like the other, just similar in size and shape as the dog is trained to bring it to her if she goes down.  If rescue approaches her, he will pick up the pouch and "Give" it to them.  Jess had brought some Chrome Tanned leather and said the lime green was fine.  She wanted a bright color.

I started by measuring the original pouch and transferring the design.  Using the measurements, I created one of those fold it, patterns.  I did that on butcher paper, actual size,  I took my time and was very careful.  I wanted the pattern to be as neat as possible, as I know she loves the design of the pouch and has been using it for years.  I imagine I'll be making them for a while.

 

[Brokenolmarine]

After I had the pattern drawn out, I cut it out very carefully and folded it.  I wanted to check the size against the original pouch and look for sewing patterns and routes.  Ah, size was good, but no... the sewing wasn't going to work.  Back to the butchers paper and I added an 1/8 inch to the side and bottom panels to allow for easier sewing.  I also figured out that I'll be sewing those panels by hand.  I can use my machine to sew the velcro patches on the flap and front panels with the machine and attach the D-Rings for the lanyards prior to sewing it together by hand.

Satisfied after folding the new paper pattern, I cut a hard pattern on poster board.

 

[Brokenolmarine]

I used the hard pattern to cut out the leather.

I'm done for tonight, but there is a lot left to do.

[Brokenolmarine]

Yup, I cut out panels for two.  Hopefully they'll both turn out, or one will.  If not, I got in some practice and will have learned a few things.  I'll dye both pieces, try to brighten the green, and turn the other either yumm tumm orange or red.

I have scraps to work with.  Thought I had D rings.  Hobby Lobby... Here I come.

[Leescustomleather]

Great methodical approach, I imagine they will last a long time being made with such care.

[PastorBob]

thank goodness for cardboard patterns.  They sure do save some leather.  Great write up on your thought process.  Keep us posted.  Enjoy watching your work come alive!  Praying for your daughter and service dog!

[Brokenolmarine]

Miss Tina has gone to Hobby Lobby for the D-Rings this morning.

We drove to Duncan Yesterday.  Her twenty year old Bernina started to waiver in Straight Stitch Mode.  She was in the middle of a beautiful quilt with 1" blocks.  The 1/32" waiver in straight stitch might not have been so noticeable with bigger squares, but seemed glaring to her with the small blocks.  Duncan is about two hours each way, but the Bernina Service center is there.  She has other machines, but doesn't like to use the embroidery machine for basic sewing, and the antique machines are noisy and rattle, but do sew a nice tight line.   He said two weeks, but doesn't hold much hope, that machine has a VERY high stitch count.  She uses them a LOT.  With our history there, he said he'd make her a good deal on a replacement.  

If that's what it takes to keep mama happy. 

[chuck123wapati]

2 hours ago, Brokenolmarine said:

Miss Tina has gone to Hobby Lobby for the D-Rings this morning.

We drove to Duncan Yesterday.  Her twenty year old Bernina started to waiver in Straight Stitch Mode.  She was in the middle of a beautiful quilt with 1" blocks.  The 1/32" waiver in straight stitch might not have been so noticeable with bigger squares, but seemed glaring to her with the small blocks.  Duncan is about two hours each way, but the Bernina Service center is there.  She has other machines, but doesn't like to use the embroidery machine for basic sewing, and the antique machines are noisy and rattle, but do sew a nice tight line.   He said two weeks, but doesn't hold much hope, that machine has a VERY high stitch count.  She uses them a LOT.  With our history there, he said he'd make her a good deal on a replacement.  

If that's what it takes to keep mama happy. 

lol happy wife happy life.

[Brokenolmarine]

My next step in this pouch was to test dye colors.  I intended to dye ONE pouch a BRIGHT green.  The other an orange color, so I pulled a piece of the cutoff and sat down at the workbench.

 

 

From left to right:

 

A dark green mixed with 1/3 yellow.  Not bright enough.

The center?  The dark green mixed 1/3 green and 2/3 yellow.  Pops!

The end?  Red mixed with 2/3 yellow.  Works.

[Brokenolmarine]

So, I dyed the first piece of leather and a 1" wide scrap to use as the loops for the two D-Rings.  Important to thing thru the project, or I'd either TRY to match the color or say I planned to use black loops to match the velcro. 

 

 

You can really see the difference in the green between the newly dyed piece and the original undyed leather.  The new piece POPS.  Should be easy to see when Jess is looking for it.

When the dye dries, hopefully it will be even.  If not, I planned it that way.   Now to the orange.....  Same thing, dyed the leather pattern piece plus the extra for the D-rings.  Ah... planning ahead.

 

 

It's okay, the orange, but I think the green base subdued the orange rather than enhanced it.  Again, I'm hoping it dries even.

In both cases, I tried to apply the dye evenly, but the leather had been previously dye, and it's chrome tanned, which I have never worked with.

Flying blind.  Almost ready to start sewing the D-rings and velcro....