My First Real Project - A Messenger Bag

[DoubleC]

I have made a few small projects (like a pocket watch holder to wear on a belt and some other very small items), but this is the first project I have ever attempted with more than a couple of dollars worth of leather. It came out exactly like I envisioned it, but my vision at this point is limited, since I am a leatherworking newbie. I really need to start learning how to do carving and stamping, as there are some beautiful examples posted here by others.

I had the bag partially sewn, and decided it was too long, so I cut it apart and shortened it by a few inches. It didn't affect anything, just took me more time, and I ended up using the cutoffs as the strap guides and some other items, so none went to waste. It is Craftsman 8-9 oz veg tanned tooling leather from Tandy, and all hand stitched because I don't have a sewing machine that would work to do this. I still have to soften the leather a bit and use it to give it a bit more worn appearance, but it came out pretty good.

The one tip I would be interested in, is how to soften the leather. I know veg tanned stuff isn't going to be as soft as other types, but any amount of softness would be good.

EDIT: I forgot to add, one half of the shoulder strap is a section of military sling. I liked how the hooks for adjusting the length worked, so I used the sling instead of pulling the hooks off of it.

Andy B.

Andy that's a beautiful bag. I am going to be the oddball here and tell you I soften everything with Vaseline or bag balm if I'm out of Vaseline. I have used this on all the old reins I some how accrued that I'm turning into rhythm beads and i use it on the rough out part too. Since the reins had already been finished before, I wash them with warm water and saddle soap which leaves them stiff as a board after they dry, and then I start hand rubbing Vaseline into them. On my things, being older and not so well taken care of it can take 2-3 applications, letting them dry 24 hours in between. Yours should only take one application since it's new leather. Good luck, great bag. Cheryl

[andyb]

ramrod,

I don't recall where I picked up the pelican hooks. I just did a search like chancey77 posted, only not for stainless. I paid somewhere around $5 or $6 apiece for them.

chancey77,

I've been reading the swivel knife and carving tips here. One of my problems was I thought you just barely cut into the leather. Now that I'd reading about cutting almost halfway in I am starting to understand how the 3D effect is created. I'm planning to start experimenting in the next week or two. Maybe this weekend if I have some time.

Cheryl,

I never thought of using Vaseline. I have Lexol conditioner and Obenauf's leather cream and conditioner, but they didn't seem to do much in the way of softening the leather. I've seen some folks recommend Neatsfoot oil, but I don't have any of that laying around. I may try the Vaseline.

Andy B.

[DoubleC]

ramrod,

I don't recall where I picked up the pelican hooks. I just did a search like chancey77 posted, only not for stainless. I paid somewhere around $5 or $6 apiece for them.

chancey77,

I've been reading the swivel knife and carving tips here. One of my problems was I thought you just barely cut into the leather. Now that I'd reading about cutting almost halfway in I am starting to understand how the 3D effect is created. I'm planning to start experimenting in the next week or two. Maybe this weekend if I have some time.

Cheryl,

I never thought of using Vaseline. I have Lexol conditioner and Obenauf's leather cream and conditioner, but they didn't seem to do much in the way of softening the leather. I've seen some folks recommend Neatsfoot oil, but I don't have any of that laying around. I may try the Vaseline.

Andy B.

Andy, I am making a product bag for myself that isn't nearly as nice as yours. I was throwing it together out of 'mistakes' I made on other projects. I had decided to leave it soft-sided until i remembered this old, I mean really old suitcase I have that's very light. I'm going to use that inside the leather I laced together. I noticed just now the suitcase has a leather hinge on it, and I'm getting ready to clean it all up so I can glue it inside mine, and i wouldn't even consider using anything but Vaseline on that old hinge. I love it for all the conditioning I need to do, I really do. Cheryl

[quikjimmy]

Love the design and layout of the bag. All the proportions just work.

[WScott]

It is an awesome bag!! Amazing for a first bag.

Love the attention to details and unique hardware used.

Still working my skill level up to this, learning how to do better on smaller projects.

Thanks for posting yours as I get to learn from you and the comments the project generates.

Edited March 11, 2012 by WScott

[BLent87]

I just picked up some of the craftsman leather from Tandy. Got it for $3/sq ft to use as practice leather. What did you use to stain your bag? I love the texture to it!