deadline13 Report post Posted March 2, 2012 (edited) Hi! I was trying to make my own satchel such as the picture below. I'm wondering though what was the dye / paint used? It seemed so even and glossy at the same time. The leather was also thick. I'm also doubting if this was really hand-sewn. Please help me out. Edited March 2, 2012 by deadline13 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leatherimages Report post Posted March 2, 2012 If the first bag shown is your work, you're off to a good start. It's hard to answer your question about dye or paint for the other bag without seeing it closer or handling it. I was probably done in the tanning process and purchased that color. Contact some of our leather suppliers and ask for samples, or go to a show and pick the leather you'd like to see on your bag. You might try Wickett and Craig's skirting leather, it has a slight tan color to it. As for the sewing, the second bag shown appears to have bound edges. This technique is professionally done on a machine that is set up for binding. It can be done by hand, but it's an advanced technique and quite a challenge to make it look good. If this is your hand stitching on the first bag, try shortening the stitch length to about 6 spi (stitches per inch), placed a stitch length away from the edge, and then just do an extra good job on the edges, per Bob Parks tutorial on this site. Good luck and keep at it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deadline13 Report post Posted March 2, 2012 Thank you sir paul. That was great input. The first bag was a close picture taken by one of the bloggers I follow. I actually thought they used acrylic cause it seemed more like paint. Thanks once again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TwinOaks Report post Posted March 3, 2012 The choice of leather is the key here. Because the bag is intended to withstand the elements, it is commonly made with English Bridle Leather. This type of leather is drum dyed at the tannery and hot stuffed with tallows and waxes in the finishing process.....in short.....it comes that way. W&C and Hermann Oak can both provide this type of leather, and Springfield sells a similar "harness leather". Take a bit of time and look up posts by "Esantoro". Ed was producing this type of bag for a while and I think he's included some pics of the process. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
