Lining without stitching edge of bag flap

[Hydrangeaceae]

I could use some help trouble shooting a bag I'm about to make. I want to make a bag similar to this. saddle bag in shape and design, but I want it to be lined with goatskin to allow for pockets and a general nice look and feel. I'd prefer not to stitch the flap though and I'm having some trouble working out what to do with the lining to avoid this. 

I figure it would probably be best to just line the compartment/body of the bag, but that'll leave me with an edge on the inside where it transitions from body to flap, which I don't think will look as nice as I'd like it to, especially since the goat I have is on the thick side. 

I don't know if I've explained myself well enough, but if anyone has some ideas or info on how to make the transition from lining to flap look intentional, or any input on whatever, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[TinkerTailor]

Lining the flap without an edge stitch can be a problem because the bending will strain the glue and the fabric/leather will eventually pull away and sag or come apart at the edges. 

For simplicity, make the liner fitted for the main bag body but not the flap, and then sew a band of leather to the top of the liner. This then gets sewn to inside of the edge of the bag all the way around and across the back. The liner is hanging from the leather and the bag has one seam around it horizontally right at the top edge. It will end up with a stitch line across the back.

 

[Hydrangeaceae]

I guess a band could help make it look more intentional. Thanks for the idea

[cowboycolonel]

I have done this on full saddlebags. What I do is to make the lining as if it were the primary carrier for the bag - just where it's part of the flap.  Do your forming and stitching ( and most importantly your bending, on this piece.  Add pockets, zippers, etc as desired, Then - after all this it completed, use a high quality contact cement to glue the outer flap to the completed work in essence, the flap cover is just a facade.  Carefully burnish and coat the edges.  Since your bag won't get anywhere near the use that a set of proper saddlebags will, this should stand up nicely.