First Satchel

[lightningad]

First time i have tried making a bag...very happy with the result!

some dodgy stitching, but its 100% handstitched, with no glue used.

The design evolved as i went along, and because its my own design, i was learning all the time. Hence the odd strap holding the buckle. A solution to a problem i had not considered when starting out.

On the whole, i am happy for a first attempt, obviously lots of places for improvement...and i need to figure out edge finishing on chrome tan, as i have never used this kind of leather before.

Love to hear your comments

adam

Edited March 19, 2013 by lightningad

[humperdingle]

I've just completed my 2nd 'large', bag. Yours looks much more complex and neat, though

Fortunately (for me), I like the simple, rustic, antique look, so my simplistic style suits!

I like the satchel - Fairly traditional satchel looks. I'm not keen on the colour, but that's subjective and personal.

One thing I am gradually learning, is that planning is everything... So much easier to make something if you've done a 'dry run', made templates, pre-measured, etc.

Good make

[wijjit]

The prototype is always a learning experiance. The next one will go a lot faster and come out better. Execellent job on the first one.

[lightningad]

thanks.

My wife spotted the leather whilst rummaging through an offcuts pile at a suppliers exclaiming "...that would be good for a satchel" so a project was born!

I made card templates for the main parts and stapled it up to check sizes...the main issues i had were that i chose to reposition the pockets once they had been constructed, so all other ideas about buckles needed to be adapted.

And having never stitched around a gusset like this before, i was careful to leave enough overlap incase i had miscalculated the length needed, and because i had attached the pockets and strap hangers to the gusset first, this meant i needed to measure an equal overlap on each end, then stitch the gusset outward from the centre point of the bottom edge! Fortunately it worked!

totally agree wiijjit - its the experimenting that makes it fun!

Edited March 19, 2013 by lightningad

[humperdingle]

totally agree wiijjit - its the experimenting that makes it fun!

And makes many hours disappear as if by magic :D

[lightningad]

Big smug grin time! Just been asked to make two identical satchels for a pair of twins! How cool...

[DoubleC]

I love it and the color.....Cheryl

[lightningad]

Thanks Cheryl

[ReneeCanady]

I think you did a great job! Normally I wouldn't have liked that color because I am a neutral kind of girl, but for some reason since you chose the white thread it makes it really cute, almost trendy yet primitive. It looks very functional also.

[lightningad]

Thanks Renee, Much as i like really bright things, i probably would not have picked red myself. It was my wife who pulled it out of the pile saying it would be ideal...And i think shes right!

I think i might see if i can find some of that braided thread for the next ones, as the linen thread did seem to fray a bit after it had been through so many holes!