gicts Report post Posted February 7, 2012 (edited) So here is my first messenger bag...or any bag for that matter. Where do I go from here? The front flap is very plain and flimsy...yet stiff at the same time (4/5oz veg tan). It reminds me of a sheet of poster board. What do you recommend I do to polish this up and make it a decent, presentable bag? I'm happy with the strap, but the front seems like a blank canvas to me. The color is more uniform in real life, and I have yet to put a finish on it. Edited February 7, 2012 by gicts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ladykahu Report post Posted February 7, 2012 You could always follow your fleur de lis pattern through and carve one on a separate bit of leather and then stitch it onto the front? the bag is looking very good, I hope when I eventually get the courage to make my first big bag it looks half as good! You could also maybe crease the edges, it might help to make the flap look more 'finished' Natalie Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scary Leatherworks Report post Posted February 8, 2012 So here is my first messenger bag...or any bag for that matter. Where do I go from here? The front flap is very plain and flimsy...yet stiff at the same time (4/5oz veg tan). It reminds me of a sheet of poster board. What do you recommend I do to polish this up and make it a decent, presentable bag? I'm happy with the strap, but the front seems like a blank canvas to me. The color is more uniform in real life, and I have yet to put a finish on it. I like to line my flap that way it stiffens it up a bit, the stitching is uniform all the way around and takes some of the plainness away and I add a small strip to attach the handle to and then that is hidden by the flap liner as well. Why no pic's of the front with the flap closed? With that said I like the bag. Nice brown, what did you use? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyL1 Report post Posted February 8, 2012 Nice bag! I'd tool another fleur di lis on a separate piece of leather and stitch it on like a patch. Also, run a stitch around the edge of the flap for a nice finish detail. Andy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gicts Report post Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) Nice bag! I'd tool another fleur di lis on a separate piece of leather and stitch it on like a patch. Also, run a stitch around the edge of the flap for a nice finish detail. Andy Andy, thank you very much. I think that's what I will do. It will give it a finished look as well as extra weight! Thanks! I like to line my flap that way it stiffens it up a bit, the stitching is uniform all the way around and takes some of the plainness away and I add a small strip to attach the handle to and then that is hidden by the flap liner as well. Why no pic's of the front with the flap closed? With that said I like the bag. Nice brown, what did you use? Thanks! I thought about lining it but couldn't come up with something to line it with. Lining it with leather would have ended up having me use an entire side! I used Fiebling's Light Brown dye and Springfield's mid grade 4/5oz tooling side. I'm not sure what you mean by no pics of the flap closed. The first one is of that. Looks a lot like the back! You could always follow your fleur de lis pattern through and carve one on a separate bit of leather and then stitch it onto the front? the bag is looking very good, I hope when I eventually get the courage to make my first big bag it looks half as good! You could also maybe crease the edges, it might help to make the flap look more 'finished' Natalie Thanks Natalie! I'm afraid the pictures are deceiving and it isn't as nice as it looks! Good idea on creasing the edges. I'll either do that or stitch it. Gah! I still have to burnish them too! Edited February 8, 2012 by gicts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scary Leatherworks Report post Posted February 8, 2012 OK sorry I looked quick and wasn't expecting the flap to cover the entire front so I assumed I was seeing the back. as everyone said stitching will hep tie it all together but if you are doing it by hand it sure can seem like a lot of stitching for looks alone! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ramrod Report post Posted February 11, 2012 definitely line the cover - maybe with some kind of stiffener fabric and then possibly some light pigskin. also stitching around the perimeter of the flap will finish it nicely. or you could add an outside pocket with a zipper to the flap. more storage, heavier flap. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WScott Report post Posted February 13, 2012 Really does look great for early attempts! I am still trying to work my way up to bags Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gicts Report post Posted February 14, 2012 (edited) Really does look great for early attempts! I am still trying to work my way up to bags Jump in! definitely line the cover - maybe with some kind of stiffener fabric and then possibly some light pigskin. also stitching around the perimeter of the flap will finish it nicely.or you could add an outside pocket with a zipper to the flap. more storage, heavier flap. In hind site I should have lined it. If/When I do another I will certainly do that and probably roll the edges.OK sorry I looked quick and wasn't expecting the flap to cover the entire front so I assumed I was seeing the back. as everyone said stitching will hep tie it all together but if you are doing it by hand it sure can seem like a lot of stitching for looks alone! No problem! Thanks for the advice, I think it turned out ok. Here it finally is. I stitched the edges and added an 'emblem'. It weighted the flap nicely but the edges still curl a bit, Oh well, a great lesson and a decent Valentine's gift! I didn't even have to buy roses!!! Edited February 14, 2012 by gicts Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
