Messenger bag lining

[Meandmy1963]

Hello all. I'm still fairly new to the craft. Every project seems to come out better and better. I finally feel comfortable enough to tackle a bag of some sort. I've decided to do a messenger bag for myself. I've figure out a design and I'm curious as to what everyone thinks about lining. Should I really even bother? Should I just left the fleshy side of the leather be the "lining". I plan on doing one pocket as a laptop sleeve and honestly the flesh side of leather seems to be close to what I would want anyways. It's soft and wouldn't scratch anything. Is this the "correct" way to go about this? The leather I'll be using has a pretty firm hand and won't need any type of backing to stiffen, so I'm good there. I'm going for a bit of a rugged look anyways. Likely going to finish my edges with beeswax. So I guess my questions to everyone are: should I go about this in this way? Should I do a cloth lining?(don't really want to) should I back each panel with a softer leather maybe as an interior? What does everyone recommend? Again this is for myself but I do want a nice finished look. Thanks for taking the time to read this

[Spyros]

There is no right and wrong, it's just two different aesthetics.  As long as you like how it looks.

[Meandmy1963]

5 minutes ago, Spyros said:

There is no right and wrong, it's just two different aesthetics.  As long as you like how it looks.

I guess I'm asking more for people's opinion. Of course it's going to be down to aesthetics for the most part. Also though I am curious if anyone has ever or knows of any problems that may arise from carrying a bag without a lining? I wouldnt imagine so. Also I am curious as to what everyone's opinion is on the matter. As an every day carry type of bag, who would want a lining and who would not? I personally am leaning towards not for the look I am after. Just curious as to what the members of this forum think

[Spyros]

Just now, Meandmy1963 said:

I guess I'm asking more for people's opinion. Of course it's going to be down to aesthetics for the most part. Also though I am curious if anyone has ever or knows of any problems that may arise from carrying a bag without a lining? I wouldnt imagine so. Also I am curious as to what everyone's opinion is on the matter. As an every day carry type of bag, who would want a lining and who would not? I personally am leaning towards not for the look I am after. Just curious as to what the members of this forum think

Yeah that was exactly my opinion

What I mean is, it depends on the overall aesthetic of the thing, I'd have to see it and get an idea of what is our vision before I give you an opinion.  And then that opinion would only be based on my aesthetic standards.  It also depends on the leather, some have a finished backing which makes it easier to look at and some are totally fuzzy, which I don't like so much. 

There's also some practical considerations, a leather lining allow you to stitch things like internal pockets and pencil holders without the stitching showing from the outside.  But lining makes gussets a little harder.  Then it's the overall firmness of the bag, like you mention it might need a lining to add stiffness to help it handle and function properly, especially to support the handle and strap holders properly, but again if your leather is firm enough it might not need it.  You won't really know this until the end unfortunately if this is the first time you're making this.   But depending on your design, there is nothing stopping you from adding a brass or aluminium bar after the fact if you feel it's needed.        

[fredk]

Not only aesthetics, but more of a 'finished' look.

I keep quite a range of thin skiver leathers in numerous colours for lining shoulder bags.

Once, when I made a simple one for someone she looked inside, saw the raw, but neatly finished interior of just the flesh side of the main bag leather and said ' you've not finished it then?' and ever since I've been gluing a thin skiver leather to the interior flesh side.

[LatigoAmigo]

[mike02130]

If you don't have experience then I suggest no lining.  If you know what you're doing then use some nice leather and line it with some fancy goatskin.  Maybe make a practice bag first.  As long as you don't have any exposed metal hardware inside the bag then there ought to not be any worry about the laptop getting scratched.

The lining would be strictly for looks. But the bag itself should be of some quality in order to be up to par for the lining.  You don't want to put lipstick on a pig, or in this case a cow.

You may want to be more specific in your question in order to get a better response.

[johnnydb]

Personally I like to have anything but raw leather...so finishing it with some sort of lining is always good. 

If you are going for a rugged look use some denim. Possibly some flannel but it would really depend on the colors. 

And besides...if you are wanting an electronics pocket a lining will keep some of the leather "dust" from the raw side getting into your electronics. 

[Meandmy1963]

I wasn't looking for a specific answer I guess. More of a general opinion. I think one of you hit it on the head when you had a customer look inside and say "oh you haven't finished it then?". That's pretty much what I wanted to know. Seems like the general public would look at it as "unfinished" without some sort of lining. Not that it matters as it's my first bag and it's for myself. But if I'm going to be lining bags in the future I might as well give it a go. Thanks for the help everyone

2 minutes ago, johnnydb said:

Personally I like to have anything but raw leather...so finishing it with some sort of lining is always good. 

If you are going for a rugged look use some denim. Possibly some flannel but it would really depend on the colors. 

And besides...if you are wanting an electronics pocket a lining will keep some of the leather "dust" from the raw side getting into your electronics. 

I was actually thinking flannel if I were to do a lining

[johnnydb]

5 minutes ago, Meandmy1963 said:

I wasn't looking for a specific answer I guess. More of a general opinion. I think one of you hit it on the head when you had a customer look inside and say "oh you haven't finished it then?". That's pretty much what I wanted to know. Seems like the general public would look at it as "unfinished" without some sort of lining. Not that it matters as it's my first bag and it's for myself. But if I'm going to be lining bags in the future I might as well give it a go. Thanks for the help everyone

I was actually thinking flannel if I were to do a lining

I like the look of oil tanned leather for messenger bags myself...kind of a messy worn look but totally reliable at the same time. 

YMMV 

(Your mileage may vary)