Dao Ban's Leather Messenger (finale)

As Dao's date of arrival drew closer by the day, I moved on to preparing the shoulder strap. The shoulder strap consist of two different lengths with one side longer than the other. The shorter strap is attached with a buckle while the other has holes for length adjustments depending on the wearer's preference. 
Endless stitching and lots of burnishing work!

The drop lining. I've use thick strong canvas for the internal lining which is durable and holds the shape of the bag well. 
It also has a zip pocket trimmed with the same leather which was hand stitched onto the canvas. 

The top is also trimmed with leather which will then be stitched onto the bag.

Almost there..

Dao Ban's Leather Messenger (cont.2)

For some reason or another, making the handle this time seems trickier than before. A few adjustments later, I was finally able to move on to another area.

Now that the handle is in place, next is attaching the flap to the back panel. 

Dao Ban's Leather Messenger (cont.)

 

 

The front slip pocket is burnished and ready. Here, it is placed in position before stitching onto the main panel.

 

 

Stitching the slip pocket in place with the help of the saddler's clam. An original saddlers clam made of beech wood was carried back with me from the UK and later had reproductions made due to demands from my workshop participants.
I rely on it for all my works whether small or large items and find it very helpful when stitching.

In the process of burnishing the edges after assembling the gusset onto the front panel of the bag. The difference in appearance before and after the process of burnishing can clearly be seen here.
A lot of elbow grease needed and the process is painstakingly slow but the result is worth the effort.

 

Dao Ban's Leather Messenger

My dear friend Dao Ban from Korea is getting married and has asked me to make for her fiancé a leather messenger bag. Initially she had chosen the tan brown which I have used a few times but a visit to the leather supplier had found the new batch of tan brown too bright and rather flat so I opted for this dark brown instead which has turned out better than expected.
I sent Dao pictures of the bag in progress and she's eagerly anticipating for it's completion.

Here are some of the pictures of the bag in progress.

 

Position markings on important points using the paper pattern and preparing the straps for the flap and D rings holders for the handle.

The straps are double layered for durability, hand stitched together and edge, burnished.

 

 

 

 

Placing the D ring holders for the shoulder strap in position on the side gusset.

 

  

 

 

Sewing is done using the saddle stitch method also known as double-needled. Time consuming but the durability is unquestionably far superior than machine stitched.

 



 

 

Every stitch by hand using strong waxed thread. No machine. Just leatherwork tools.

 

 

Small Leather Goods Workshop - Bicycle Pouch

Simple and practical. Easily made in just a few hours. No machine needed. Just basic leather craft tools. Find out how you can make one yourself..

Bangkok Leather Workshop: Workshops

Bangkok Leather Workshop: Workshops: The following are the Small Leather Goods and Beginners Leather Bag Making workshops designed especially for beginners level for participan...

Beginners Leather Bag Workshop

I've received enquiries for the leather bag workshop which seems to be rather popular. If you prefer to jump straight into bag making, then take this challenge to your first handcrafted leather bag. 

This basic briefcase bag is the perfect bag to begin with. Participants will be taught how to draft the paper pattern complete with actual dimensions which will then be used to cut the pieces of leather. This will be followed by various process which include assembling, burnishing edges, hand sewing and attaching hard wares.

The idea of this workshop is understanding the step by step process to create a handcrafted leather bag from draft to completion. At the end of the workshop, the participant will be able to go home and create another bag base on his/her own design with this new skill.
Time: 20hrs (approx.)