Help With Single Gusset (I Think)

[billybopp]

I have made a few messenger bags similar to this ... Using Nigel Armitage's design as a starting point and then modifying it as needed. For mine, I used 7oz for the front, back, and straps and then 4oz for the one-piece gusset. I wanted the bag to be overall a little stiffer than it would have been with all 4oz, but 7oz proved to be a bit much for me to try to work around the corners. One o' these days I'll upload pictures of these.

Hope that helps

[SantaFeMarie]

Thank you Dandton. What weight of leather do you recommend? Does the pattern come with instructions?

[Richard M]

What an amazing set of reply's.

I emailed LZ Patterns and this is the reply;

"I like 2mm leather very much, but actually 2.5mm leather is OK too, 1.8mm is OK too LOL

This is the character of vegetable tanned leather, )"

As the response was so quick I decided to by the pattern.

There are not any instructions, but having seen the pattern, DANDTON's post and a careful watch of Nigel's video it looks pretty straight forward.

I might even be brave enough to post some pictures here if it turns out half decent.

[billybopp]

The first one or two are hardest. Keep notes about how you did things, and figure out what you would do differently next time .. both in terms of design and process. You may find it helpful to make a paper or cardboard mockup before you begin cutting leather. Before long, you'll figure out how to change the design to suit your own needs and style. After that, you may even want to try your own design!

Bill

[Tugadude]

+1 on making a mockup. Also, I've found that it helps to pre bend the gusset edges. You'll see what I mean if you look at Nigel's video. You are asking the leather to bend in two directions, so I roll the edges back first and then bend around the radius. Do that a few times and the leather will stay better. I agree with the clip idea above, works good. You might also choose to glue with rubber cement in place of contact cement. That way if you don't get the edges square you can pull the leather apart and try again.

Edited April 11, 2015 by Tugadude

[Tugadude]

BTW, depending upon your style bag, you might wish to cut the gusset a bit long and trim later. My first attempt sadly came up slightly short. Not world disaster time because I used rubber cement, and I was able to use the cut piece for short straps, keeps and D ring retainers. This becomes trickier if you have already attached retainers or pouches to your gusset material. Experience will dictate success. Good luck!

[Richard M]

Once again thanks for all the great reply's. It has given me plenty to think about also some great tips but most of all a bit more confidence

Richard

Edited April 11, 2015 by Richard M