bag making question!

[Guest Carrie]

Hi! My name is Carrie and I have been playing around with making my own bags because I couldn't afford the ones I wanted to buy so I decided to try to make my own! I am IN LOVE with working with leather and am learning so much (mostly by trial and error). I like unlined leather feel and look for the inside of the bags, but am missing having a pocket. I like having the outside look clean without any stitches (I use a sewing machine to sew my leather). I'm stumped and thinking there is not a way to accomplish the look I want. Any suggestions? Also, any recommendations on where to order unique rivets? I want to expand my rivet collection! Thank you in advance! 

Shine on!

Carrie

[Art]

Carrie,

Make Big full width pockets, actually more of a lining with an open top.  If you want more, sew them to that pocket. All the stitching for the liner pocket would be in the seams.

Art

[blue duck]

Art has the easiest solution. The other option that comes to mind is to attach one using the handle/strap stitching or from the top by running a stitch line around the top edge. Look forward to seeing your work.

[JRodz]

I attach mine to the handles. This one is riveted but sewing can be done just the same. 

[Grumpymann]

Use a separator and attach the pockets to the separator. Believe it or not the easiest way I have found is to use a double gusset and so the separator in between the gussets.

[Tugadude]

You have gotten some great advice, pretty much the ways I was going to describe.  Try Springfield Leather for rivets, decorative and otherwise.  They stock a large variety.  They also are a great resource if you are into making jewelry.  They will also provide a catalog if you like hard copies of stuff.  Some of us still do!

By doing turned-out bags and using fasteners such as rivets, you can accomplish a lot without showing stitches.  Glues are also effective, depending upon what you are doing.  Good luck!

[Guest guest]

Ohio Travel Bag has all the rivets one could imagine!