First hair-on cow leather bag

[Silverd]

 First handbag I've done using hair on cow leather.  Challenges encountered were the softness of the hair-on leather which forced me into a lamination effort to stiffen it up.  My first attempt. I used 2-3oz Herman Oak but it was way too stiff.  Scrapped them.  Another set of end cap parts cutout and this time I used a 2 oz low tensile Chrome Tan from Tandy.  It was very soft and worked perfectly.  I've made this bag before and striking the right ballence of the inner and outer layers is critical to having a good outcome.  Color is also important.  

I also didn't consider edge finishing of the hair-on leather endcaps.  Note that the center drk brown panels are edge rolled top and bottom.  Normally I roll the inner and outer layers seperately and sitch them together but the hair-on does not do well like this so adding a binder to the top and bottom edges was required.  In the end it was the right decision and it looks good but it took me a few hours to figure this out and actualize the solution.

More photos are available 

 

Silverd

[Bert03241]

wow thats awesome work wow

[Oak Grove Leather Works]

Wow! I hope you plan for that to be very expensive. It's beautiful!

[toxo]

Excellent job! I love designs where much thought has gone into every detail which is why @RockyAussie is top of my tree.

That kind of handle seems to be a kinda norm but I always wonder why a more symmetrical design hasn't been cooked up.

I've done laminate a few times. leather is fine of course but expensive, I tried what they call over here bag stiffener which can be got in different sizes/textures/thicknesses and is cheap as chips. Was ok until it started to delaminate cos I used the wrong glue.

I've got a bunch of real furs from different animals and pondered on what to do with em. This has got the juices flowing again.

Well done again.

[Silverd]

2 hours ago, toxo said:

Excellent job! I love designs where much thought has gone into every detail which is why @RockyAussie is top of my tree.

That kind of handle seems to be a kinda norm but I always wonder why a more symmetrical design hasn't been cooked up.

I've done laminate a few times. leather is fine of course but expensive, I tried what they call over here bag stiffener which can be got in different sizes/textures/thicknesses and is cheap as chips. Was ok until it started to delaminate cos I used the wrong glue.

I've got a bunch of real furs from different animals and pondered on what to do with em. This has got the juices flowing again.

Well done again.

Many thanks.  The internal pocket and finish design of tge bag drove why I used leather as the liner.  I like to have a med interior color shade so the user can "see" opposed to a dark color. 

 

Silverd 

[toxo]

42 minutes ago, Silverd said:

Many thanks.  The internal pocket and finish design of tge bag drove why I used leather as the liner.  I like to have a med interior color shade so the user can "see" opposed to a dark color. 

 

Silverd 

I did a similar shape once that was well received but the quality of that interior raises it to the "Heirloom" class. Cracking job.

I see where the reinforcement was needed and even though the interior panels made it easier to arrange the "accoutrements", each stage must've been planned meticulously. Well done again

[Silverd]

4 hours ago, toxo said:

I did a similar shape once that was well received but the quality of that interior raises it to the "Heirloom" class. Cracking job.

I see where the reinforcement was needed and even though the interior panels made it easier to arrange the "accoutrements", each stage must've been planned meticulously. Well done again

Ooooo, I do like your bag.  Similar size and shape but uniquely very nice! Love the handles!

Silver

[toxo]

1 hour ago, Silverd said:

Ooooo, I do like your bag.  Similar size and shape but uniquely very nice! Love the handles!

Silver

Thank you.

Here's something just to ponder. The pattern for my bag called for a flush base, same as yours but was pita to sew with one hand inside and one outside. After consideration I turned the base upside down and used exactly the same holes to stitch. The result was better IMHO in that the base was now 3/8" off the floor and the bag was resting on the outside rim. Saved at least an hour of sewing.

[RockyAussie]

21 hours ago, Silverd said:

 First handbag I've done using hair on cow leather.  Challenges encountered were the softness of the hair-on leather which forced me into a lamination effort to stiffen it up.  My first attempt. I used 2-3oz Herman Oak but it was way too stiff.  Scrapped them.  Another set of end cap parts cutout and this time I used a 2 oz low tensile Chrome Tan from Tandy.  It was very soft and worked perfectly.  I've made this bag before and striking the right ballence of the inner and outer layers is critical to having a good outcome.  Color is also important.  

I also didn't consider edge finishing of the hair-on leather endcaps.  Note that the center drk brown panels are edge rolled top and bottom.  Normally I roll the inner and outer layers seperately and sitch them together but the hair-on does not do well like this so adding a binder to the top and bottom edges was required.  In the end it was the right decision and it looks good but it took me a few hours to figure this out and actualize the solution.

More photos are available 

 

Silverd

That is some very nice looking work there @Silverd and I think your stitching is looking professional as well. Design is good and internals look great. $1000 + in my opinion.

@toxoI have to say that that bag of yours is also excellent in design and execution. Very well done. I do wonder what the handles would look like if they were stitched down another inch either side. Fantastic colour combo.

[Silverd]

Agree with the handle suggestions.  I think I'm hearing that I might drop the dee rings down...???   

What handle style then?

Thank you btw.  Your words are very kind and appreciated.

Silverd