Monday, May 5, 2014

Making a Leather Bag: An Intro

Shortly I will compose a post about my summer sewing plans, but in the meanwhile, let's have a look at one of the projects on the list. I know it's putting the cart before the horse but, hey, it's my horse and my cart and I can do what I want!

After being sucked in by the lure of leather-working - and on the advice of many, I signed up for the Craftsy Course: Making Leather Bags, taught by Don Morin. Fun fact: He's a TO guy. Apparently, when it comes to the bag-making community (independent vendors, teachers etc.), Toronto is where it's at. Who knew? What I will say is that this is the best course I've ever taken from Craftsy and it's worth it to buy at full price. Mind you, wait for a sale.

The happy accident is that many of the resources, required to make a bag, reside within my city.

Sara, Andrea and I have decided to make the tote that Don teaches in the Craftsy class. It looks like this:



Do I like totes? No. Will I use it? I don't know. But I do sense that the best way to learn something is to follow the instructions. I don't want to complicate what might be a complicated undertaking by going off road with a different pattern.

Besides, I think I've fancied up this boring bag by choosing some sexy materials:


  • The main bag will be made from that textured, snake-skin style pigskin.
  • The trim will be made from that awesome slate blue lambskin - the colour is insanely gorgeous but you can't see it here. Sara and I are going to share this skin because it's much larger than is required for the bag and the leather store doesn't cut into skins.
  • The lining is nylon (which you need because leather will rot natural fabrics and threads). I think it gives an extra layer of style-complexity to the main skin and it's perfectly in the colour family...
My walking foot has now arrived. The roller foot is on its way - as is my stabilizing cold tape and my brayer and a few other gizmos. I still need to procure certain other tools before I begin and natch, I need to make that bridesmaid dress for Allison, but I'm hoping to get started over the long weekend, if the stars align.

So, whatcha think?

16 comments:

  1. That's not a tote bag. It's a knitting project bag. it will get use.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh, good call! I'm seeing it in a whole new way...

      Delete
  2. I love your tips and I'd love to get into bag-making -- great set of posts and I'm dying to see where you go -- I do have a walking foot and roller foot and guess what? I use the roller foot all the time -- it's ridiculous how much I love that foot -- I even use it on jeans:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Pam - the roller foot just arrived and I love it! It's the most fun foot ever. It's like a lego piece!

      Delete
  3. Dude, that snake-skin really is totally you, and totally awesome. I'm still not sure about the colours for mine...or when I'll work on it for that matter!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know - I'm feeling it! But I am vaguely overwhelmed by the 8 zillion things I've got planned. I'm going to try to be in the now...

      Delete
    2. I'm agree that K's choices are pretty brilliant but Andrea, I love yours! That red is gorgeous! I'm also not really feeling the lighter colour I chose... I do want to get to it soon though!

      Delete
    3. Well, you did help choose - so you're biased! I should have got photos of Andrea's leather. The red is particularly rich and beautiful.

      Delete
  4. Hmm, I've never heard that about leather and natural fibers and am now thinking about my silk lined leather jacket. I guess time will tell and jackets can be re-lined!

    What a cool project. I think you definitely picked some fun fabric/leather! This will be great and you can always use it for knitting or for trips to the market.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hadn't heard it either, till I started watching the class. I don't think the issue will happen quickly, for what it's worth. Knitting sounds like a great use for this bag. And who knows, I might really like it once I've made it myself. You know how I do it all for the compliments :-)

      Delete
  5. Kristin, those skins are really cool. Can't wait to see your bag take form. Where did you get those skins?

    I bought that class too... Still haven't watched it. Life's crazy busy right now but after 3-4 months, I hope I can get back to my sewing again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm looking forward to it also. I got the skins at Perfect Leather Goods (http://www.perfectleathergoods.com/). It's only open till 5:30 - which is absurd. Hope your life calms down soon so sewing can resume.

      Delete