Bag

[rdb]

I was asked to copy a WWII military/mail type bag for a customer. I enjoyed trying to come up with a pattern that would look like the original, but with some practical changes. Before I came up with a finished version, I thought I would try and put together a prototype to check assembly and design. Halfway through the wife decided this was hers. Since this was was hers, I didn't line it, or put any pockets inside, and probably wasn't all that careful with it, but did work out the structure, and found a few things to change on the next one. For the customer, the leathers will change, some size and design changes will need to be done, so it will probably look different. If I do the bag for them, I'll show the pictures then, along with the original WWII bag pics..

For the body, a 2oz cowhide (but reversed it so the suede showed).

I used 3/4 oz veg tan for the flap and bottom, oiled, and dyed lightly to resemble old/worn.

My friend couldn't machine out the actual reproduction hardware quick enough for me, so I substituted pocketbook strap hangers for the d rings on the back, and bought some hasps at the Lowes's Lumber, and cut them to fit on the strap.I still haven't figured what or how for the closures, so for this picture I just used some snap hooks.

[Luke Hatley]

Nice looking reproduction....A lot of thought and work went into you making that bag.

question: did you put a rope in the handles , it has a rounded look to me?

[rdb]

Thanks Luke!

You are right, there sure was some head scratching on this one. The original has a different bottom the customer didn't like (the original would have been easier.

Yep, I did add some rope to the handle, and somehow managed to sew it on the 3000 basic foot.

There were a few new techniques for me, and a couple I had to just pull off on the fly.

[Storm]

Great Job!!! I love this bag! I like the look and feel of it. Just goes to show that something created during WWII could still be fashiobale now!

Storm

[rdb]

Thanx, Storm!

I think I did "fashionize" the original, somewhat...Is that a good thing?...lol

The sad part is the original bag is only 4 years older than me...

Edited January 26, 2010 by rdb
sp

[abn]

One helluva job for a prototype... No wonder your wife claimed it! I really like the design, and I'm sure the final version will turn out great. Wouldn't mind seeing some pictures of it when done, and for that matter -- do you have any pics of the original 40s-vintage bag?

One final question, just because I'm curious ... When you do mock-up work like this, will you recover some of the materials cost in the final price of the bag?

Keep up the good work! Best, -Alex

[Storm]

Thanx, Storm!

I think I did "fashionize" the original, somewhat...Is that a good thing?...lol

The sad part is the original bag is only 4 years older than me...

Hey....that's four years older than you and me! LOL! What was the original bag used for and by whom?

Storm

[rdb]

Thanx, abn!

Through the years, I have treated prototype in various ways. Sometimes they represent things I would like to learn how to make, and add to my pattern inventory. I do not charge the customer development time.

When the project involves a small production line, I divide the patterning into the total items produced.

At other times when I know it's a one of a kind, I will charge the development into the one price.

Sometimes we split the cost, I get a possibly useful pattern, the customer gets something a little different.

The real trouble with all this is that it cuts into other project time. I never really figured out how to compensate fully for that case.

If you are an in-demand leatherwork artist, you don't even worry about such things, you just state some extraordinary dollars, and they pay it. I ain't that person, yet, that's for sure. But I will continue to try and get there...lol

Storm, I don't know what the original bag was for. It looked like a security pouch of some type...mailbag, secure medical, dunno. Dated 1945 with either "EMS", or "ENS" stamped on it. Any WWII experts out there?

The customer, and I both agree on the changes necessary for the finished bag, so sometime soon, I'll be rummaging through Zack's inventory for the right leathers, and have my machinist friend make up some more authentic hardware. A little bit of pattern changes, and we should have it. After that bag is done, I'll post the orig. pic, too.

[Storm]

Thanx, abn!

Through the years, I have treated prototype in various ways. Sometimes they represent things I would like to learn how to make, and add to my pattern inventory. I do not charge the customer development time.

When the project involves a small production line, I divide the patterning into the total items produced.

At other times when I know it's a one of a kind, I will charge the development into the one price.

Sometimes we split the cost, I get a possibly useful pattern, the customer gets something a little different.

The real trouble with all this is that it cuts into other project time. I never really figured out how to compensate fully for that case.

If you are an in-demand leatherwork artist, you don't even worry about such things, you just state some extraordinary dollars, and they pay it. I ain't that person, yet, that's for sure. But I will continue to try and get there...lol

Storm, I don't know what the original bag was for. It looked like a security pouch of some type...mailbag, secure medical, dunno. Dated 1945 with either "EMS", or "ENS" stamped on it. Any WWII experts out there?

The customer, and I both agree on the changes necessary for the finished bag, so sometime soon, I'll be rummaging through Zack's inventory for the right leathers, and have my machinist friend make up some more authentic hardware. A little bit of pattern changes, and we should have it. After that bag is done, I'll post the orig. pic, too.

That might go either way. Emergency Mail Services or Emergency Medical Services. PBS has a show caled the history detectives and the reasearch stuff like this for free.

[Kustomizer]

I like it!!