Patchwork Method Question

[John Brady]

I don't post much, I prefer to research myself, but think I need some advice I'm not finding.

I want to make a simple drawstring pouch from a patchwork of leather, dyed several different colours.  I've made a few of these bags - make a circle, punch round edges, thread with cord.

My question is then - would it be best to start with a circle as normal, slice it into pieces, dye in different colours, stitch back together like a puzzle using whatever stitch to join them (will figure this out), then make the pouch

or

is it better to do much like the above, but with the pieces of the circle "mounted" onto a whole piece of lighter leather - sewing the pieces onto this whole circle?

In my head, the pouch is just pieces of leather sewn together.  I saw an article on making a patchwork table topper type thing though, and in it they use a layer of denim underneath to hold everything together.

I first thought it'd be a simple case of overlapping the pieces in order to stitch them, but then realised I will lose the size due to the overlapping edges, and fear this will throw it out of whack.  I get the feeling it wouldn't be as easy as just the size getting smaller - I'll likely end up with a very weird looking circle.

thanks for any tips

John

[Rockoboy]

Can you sew a heap of pieces together to make a section larger than you need, then cut a circle to whatever size you need out of that piece?

Once you have something to copy a template from, you will be able to keep a copy of the shapes, so all your pieces can be pre-cut for next time.

[rodneywt1180b]

That's the way I would do it.  Sew a bunch together then cut out your circle.  That or cut out your circle then sew other pieces to it for a patchwork effect.  Might get a bit bulky that way though.

[John Brady]

wow thanks sorry I missed this, good info!