This is an English tutorial. I’m too lazy to translate it and I don’t understand English very well. In fact, you can just look at the pictures, haha^^ Author: taricp35 (Kat) Original text http://www.instructables.com/id/Lets-Make- a-Bag/
I have outgrown my previous waxed canvas everyday carry bag, and decided it was time for me to make a new one. This Instructable will show you how I personally go about making a bag from start to finish. I do not start with any patterns , just ideas, and I let the bag evolve as I go. Also because I am aware that not everyone has or has access to an Industrial sewing machine, this bag will be sewn completely by hand. This may be a tad lengthy, but if I loose or confuse anyone along the way, drop me a comment in the comments section, as I reply to all comments. Thanks in advance for reading my Instructable.Step 1: Tools and MaterialsThis will be a list of tools that you may need to make this bag. As with every task, there is more than one way to accomplish something,and again this is how I go about it. If you have a tip or simpler way of doing something, please share in the comment section.1. Leather2. Waxed Leather Hand Sewing Thread3. Leather hand sewing needles4. Buckles(a). 1 " Buckle (2)(b). 5/8" Buckles (2)5. Trigger Snaps6. Cooper Rivets7. Cooper Rivet Setter8. 1" D Ring(a). 1" Square Rings9. 10" Zipper10. Hole Punch11. Stitching Irons12. Leather Weld13. Round Punch (Optional)14. Oval Punch15. Double Sided Tape16. Open Back Screw PostsStep 2: Choosing the Leather & Designing the Bag
< /p>This bag will be a bag for me to replace and existing bag that I made for myself years ago. I do not have a pattern, so when I begin a project, I first start by choosing which leather I am going to use . This determines the type/style of bag I can make. I then sit down, with poster board, tape, and a writing instrument, and I start working on the design.(Note: The leather I have chosen is a buffed full grain 5oz leather for the body, and a 4-5oz European Vegetable tanned leather for accent, and 8oz leather for the straps.)I start by determining how large and how wide I want my bag to be. I chose 15"(H) x 13"(W). I cut out a piece of the poster board to that size. Next I determine the depth of the bag. My choice is 4" (W), and I cut out a piece 4" (W) x 13" (W), and tape it to the bottom of the main bag panel, as this piece will be the bottom of my bag. ( See pic 5). My next step is to make a duplicate panel sized 13" (W) x 15" (H) for the back of my bag. Tape all pieces together. (See photo of number 6 for current pattern thus far. ) My next step is to add the sides and my pattern will be nearly complete. The side panels are 4"(W) x 15" (H) - you will need two of these, tape them to the top of the pattern. ( See pic 7) Lastly we will cut out a piece for the bagfront flap. I choose 13" (W) x 10" (L). This may not be the final size but is a good size to start with. Now once everything is taped together, you have your pattern. (Note: It is not at all necessary to do this, but because leather can be expensive, and poster board is super cheap at the hobby store, I like to work my design out first on poster board, to ensure the design works. If I made a mistake with the pattern, I will catch it now, before I cut into the leather hide.)Step 3: Cutting Out Your Leather
Now that I know I have a workable pattern, I can use it as a template to cut out my leather piece. To ensure the pattern does not move while cutting the leather, I like to use gym weights to hold the pattern in place. Using a metalruler (Don't use a wood ruler because if you are not uber careful, a knife can slice into the wood, possibly ruining your leather piece by cutting into your leather in place that you do not want it to - better safe than sorry right ?)After cutting out your leather, it is time to start designing your bag.Step 4: Design Feature 1
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Design Feature 1The first element I want to add is an exterior zippered pouch. This pouch will be attached to the back panel of the back of the bag.Taking a scrap of leather from where I cut out the main part of the bag, I am going to cut out a piece of leather approximately 11" x 10". I then chose a coordinating zipper for the bag. I chose an off white 10" zipper. I proceeded to make a pattern to ensure a proper fit for the zipper. After testing the zipper against the pattern, I lay the pattern on the leather using a weight to hold the template in place, I cut out the zipper opening, then dry fit the zipper . Installing the zipperUsing double sided tape, place tape around the opening on the pocket panel. Lay the zipper face down in your opening temporarily securing it in place. Open and close the zipper a few times to ensure a smooth operation. Using stitching chisels, mark your holes around the zipper, approximately 1/8th inch from the edge of the zipper opening. Sew on the zipper using waxed leather hand sewing thread, and the saddle stitch technique. (The link is to an Instructable showing you how the saddle stitch is done.) After ensuring the zipper is installed properly, cut off the excess zipper tape from each end of the zipper, making it even with the leather pocket.Attaching the Pocket to the BagCenter the pocket on the back of the bag, ensuring proper orientation. Using double side tape, place tape on all four sides on the flesh side of the pocket. Place the pocket down on the bag ensuring it is appropriately aligned. Mark you stitching lines 1/4 " from the edge of the pocket using the stitching chisel. Using the saddle stitch technique, sew the pocket onto the rear of the main body of the bag.
Carrying bag
