Downtowner purse

[MADMAX22]

Hey guys just finally finished with this downtowner purse. This first attempt is for the girlfriend and thankfully she likes it.

This is the largest project Ive attempted so far and was rather different then the smaller things I have been working on. Alot of lacing that I over all didnt do very well on.

Anyways

the outside leather gusset/body/strap is about 4oz (tandy leather) dyed with feibings british tan, then antiqued with feibings anitque, some neats foot thrown in here and there, finished off with tan kote, and a dash of snow seal.

The inside is lined with pigskin naturel lining stuff and the inside pocket (oops sorry no pics) is some 2oz calf.

The lace is dark brown 1/8 superior tajes. This is where most of my issues came from on this project, first off I punched the holes which I havent done before but I did not like the look compared to using a stabbing awl or the slat punche things. Anyways I just felt the holes looked not as good (IMHO). Also I kept running into issues with the lacing breaking on me. It seemed the superior lace I had had some weak (rot) spots in it probably from sitting on the shelf too long. Anyways so lots of times I would get about 2" and it would break. I could tell the weak spot becuase you could pull it apart really easy. So I had to take to testing the lace as I waxed it before lacing searching for weak spots. Found it was mostly in the outer portions of lace and as I got toward the center of the roll it was all pretty sturdy.

Well enjoy and critics allways welcome.

[BradB]

I think it looks really good for a first big project! I don't have much experience with lace so I cant comment there. I bet she likes it ALLOT!

[MADMAX22]

Thanks Brad, appreciate the compliments.

[pete]

very nice work my friend! Must be the Henly knife(Kidding).. nice construction and I can't really fault the lacing job!

Stay well and Merry Christmas.

pete

[MADMAX22]

Nope sorry this was carved before I got the knife. Must say that knife is really nice though, definatly going to get used on my next project for sure. Very smooth when making turns and corners and such.

[leathernut]

nice job on the purse.where did you get the latch from?

[hidepounder]

Hey guys just finally finished with this downtowner purse. This first attempt is for the girlfriend and thankfully she likes it.

This is the largest project Ive attempted so far and was rather different then the smaller things I have been working on. Alot of lacing that I over all didnt do very well on.

Anyways

the outside leather gusset/body/strap is about 4oz (tandy leather) dyed with feibings british tan, then antiqued with feibings anitque, some neats foot thrown in here and there, finished off with tan kote, and a dash of snow seal.

The inside is lined with pigskin naturel lining stuff and the inside pocket (oops sorry no pics) is some 2oz calf.

The lace is dark brown 1/8 superior tajes. This is where most of my issues came from on this project, first off I punched the holes which I havent done before but I did not like the look compared to using a stabbing awl or the slat punche things. Anyways I just felt the holes looked not as good (IMHO). Also I kept running into issues with the lacing breaking on me. It seemed the superior lace I had had some weak (rot) spots in it probably from sitting on the shelf too long. Anyways so lots of times I would get about 2" and it would break. I could tell the weak spot becuase you could pull it apart really easy. So I had to take to testing the lace as I waxed it before lacing searching for weak spots. Found it was mostly in the outer portions of lace and as I got toward the center of the roll it was all pretty sturdy.

Well enjoy and critics allways welcome.

Very nice first large project! I think you did a good job getting the color even throughout the piece. I also like the pattern you selected. It's a perfect example of how less is more! I agree with you about the round holes, a thonging chisel (gang punch) would have been better. Glad to hear that you lined it...makes a much more professional finish. Again, nice job!

Bob

[MADMAX22]

nice job on the purse.where did you get the latch from?

Its actually one from joanns. Not the best but it was redilly available. Im researching on finding some better quality stuff,

Thanks Bob, the patterns were actually some Dover designs (I think Ive got the whole series) and the girlfriend helped pick them out and helped with the placement, she's got a good eye for stuff like that she just doesnt have much confidence but Im working on changing that.

[GregGaub]

So I had to take to testing the lace as I waxed it before lacing searching for weak spots.

You waxed the lace? That's a new one for me. I'm used to waxing thread for stitching, but not waxing lace for lacing.

Can you tell me more about that, and what it accomplishes? I would have thought that putting wax on the lace would make it too "grabby" and actually *cause* problems.

When I'm presented with weak lace, I usually give it a quick Lexol or Neatsfoot treatment. That not only adds suppleness to the lace, but also gives it a little more lubrication to slide through the holes or slits, reducing the breakage by reducing the friction.

-Greg

[MADMAX22]

You waxed the lace? That's a new one for me. I'm used to waxing thread for stitching, but not waxing lace for lacing.

Can you tell me more about that, and what it accomplishes? I would have thought that putting wax on the lace would make it too "grabby" and actually *cause* problems.

When I'm presented with weak lace, I usually give it a quick Lexol or Neatsfoot treatment. That not only adds suppleness to the lace, but also gives it a little more lubrication to slide through the holes or slits, reducing the breakage by reducing the friction.

-Greg

I usually only wax the flesh side of the lace a couple of times. This kind of burnishes it a little while you lace and makes it slide thru easier, keeps it from getting all ragedy.

Probably similer effect to putting some oil on it. I may try that also.

[equiss]

Hey guys just finally finished with this downtowner purse. This first attempt is for the girlfriend and thankfully she likes it.

This is the largest project Ive attempted so far and was rather different then the smaller things I have been working on. Alot of lacing that I over all didnt do very well on.

Anyways

the outside leather gusset/body/strap is about 4oz (tandy leather) dyed with feibings british tan, then antiqued with feibings anitque, some neats foot thrown in here and there, finished off with tan kote, and a dash of snow seal.

The inside is lined with pigskin naturel lining stuff and the inside pocket (oops sorry no pics) is some 2oz calf.

The lace is dark brown 1/8 superior tajes. This is where most of my issues came from on this project, first off I punched the holes which I havent done before but I did not like the look compared to using a stabbing awl or the slat punche things. Anyways I just felt the holes looked not as good (IMHO). Also I kept running into issues with the lacing breaking on me. It seemed the superior lace I had had some weak (rot) spots in it probably from sitting on the shelf too long. Anyways so lots of times I would get about 2" and it would break. I could tell the weak spot becuase you could pull it apart really easy. So I had to take to testing the lace as I waxed it before lacing searching for weak spots. Found it was mostly in the outer portions of lace and as I got toward the center of the roll it was all pretty sturdy.

Well enjoy and critics allways welcome.

Hi there - did you make your own pattern? I want to do some purses that are similair, but I never know how much leather to use for the gussets. Nice job!

[MADMAX22]

The pattern for the purse is from one of the pattern packs that tandy sells. tandy pack