Saddlebag Questions

[renegadelizard]

Hey all...i have a few questions for you guys and gals...saddlebags, i plan on making the bags out of 9-10 oz skirting...what weight do i use for the gussets?...also, i have heard someone mention accordion gussets...what are these..anyone have a pic of an accordion gusset?

Thanks for any help you can give me..

Don

[Bluesman]

Google accordion pictures and look at the sides they are like a fire place bellows, pleated so they close up on themselves. For the gussets you may want to use something thinner like 5/6 oz.

[Mike Craw]

Hey Don!

I don't know if you're a subscriber to Leather Crafters and Saddler's Journal, but in the May/June issue Bob Klenda did an article on making a saddle bag purse. Bob's a Master Saddle Maker, Stohlman Award winner, and past president of the Colorado Saddle Makers Association. The bag is made exactly the way regular duty saddle bags are made, and the article discusses casing and folding the leather to form the gusset. That should give you some insight into at least one way to do it.

Hope this helps,

Mike