Experemetnal Lether Messenger Bag

[Windrider30]

Ok so this is an experemental bag for me. I will have more pictures of it just a little later as I am still sanding and slicking sides and redying some of it. But it has three magnetic closures, the two side ovals are covers for the snap magnets (one one each side on the upper part) and the middle oval is a disk magnet. I decided to try and use the magnets as I have never done a bag with this time of closure. And this bag actually has four gusets instead of the typical 2. It has two pockets, one on the back and one on the front inside of the bag, with a middle divider. It has ALL been hand sewn together. Will share more photos as I finish this bag. I had to use the ovals as covers for the disk magnet as well as the snap magnet.

[Windrider30]

Full side of the bag finally edge dyed a medium brown same with inside. Not really that fond of the magentic closures that I used as they can be a little fiddley but it does hold a bit of weight, the back pocket is perfect for a 15 inch lap top just do not put any eletronic devices in the front pocket due to the three magnets that are the closure of the bag. More pics to come tommorow.

[mlapaglia]

What was your Stitch per inch on the bag?

[Windrider30]

7 per inch

[MonicaJacobson]

That's a challenging project. Pretty cool. I agree that magnets are probably not the best choice for a bag that gets picked up by the flap. But if it works for you, it works, right?

You should try using a divider to give yourself an even stitching line all the way around. Also, you should try using smaller movements when spreading your dye. And re-apply until you've got it as even as possible.

[Windrider30]

I perfer the dye the way it is, was a pattern that I was going for, actually took 6 coats to get it to look that way which is a pain in the ass, and yeah the magnets were not the best idea, but it was an experement. It actually holds up pretty good with weight in it but they are a bit of a pain to make sure everything is set, not to mention you can not over load this bag, and lets face it people will over load a bag, next one I am using straps and buckles for!

[Colt W Knight]

Nice bag. Here is my two cents for tips.

The border tool looks like it was stamped when the leather was too dry, and you didn't get much depth in the impression. I like to bring the border tool a bit further off the stitch line so it doesn't give the stitch line a cluttered look.

If you glue the part that attaches the handle to the bag first, you can trim it flush then burnish giving it a super clean look like it is one piece of leather.

[Windrider30]

Colt thanks for the advice on the trimming.Will give that a go next t8me around