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Saturday, February 12, 2011

my first leather bag!


I finished my leather bag! Wohoo, I´m so happy. I really wanted to make a leather bag myself. Very practical one, with zipper and adjustable strap. I was very inspired by rennes and reMade USA - couldn´t decide between two designs, so I took ideas from both :). I wanted to make a recycled bag, and as I´ve written earlier, my friend gave me old leather pants (quite narrow ones) to do that. I didn´t love the colour at first (I´m more into darker colours), but than it grew on me (and, isn´t it a kind of a fashion "rule", that "older" women should wear more light colours? ;). I struggled with the shape and construction for a while. Than, I just decided to let the material do what it wants! I cut it all apart again and made it differently, and simplified the design. It´s a very simple shape, but, believe me, it was a lot of work... However, working with leather is easier in some ways - no need to finish the edges! That´s great, just the straight stitch all the time :). I´m so proud I made the adjustable strap with the same material - the first I´ve ever made, and the zipper (zippers are difficult for me). The short handles are mainly decorative, but they can be useful sometimes I guess. Another great thing is that I used almost every bit of the leather. That´s satisfying. I had some problems with the lining, I can use some tips how to attach it. In the end I sewed it in by hand. That round badge I got for free from one seller at fler.cz with another puchase. It´s not my style (and maybe not right for the bag), but again, I started to like it with the time. Also, lately I´m very much into girlier things and clothes.
Next, I plan to make a bigger black leather bag out of a jacket I already have! I hope with thicker needle and thread I will be able to sew it with my poor machine...

9 comments:

  1. That's wonderful! You're wonderful... I really keep looking forward to what you make next. :-)
    You're getting out of my area of "expertise" here, so I cannot give any tips... actually, I'd probably like some myself. Not now, though, I have many other projects...

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  2. Thank you! What are you planning to make?

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  3. Wow! This bag looks so professional! I love the leather, it looks very soft. And you did an amazing job on those handles! Also, I do like the lining fabric a lot. Is that also some hungarian traditional fabric? It looks lovely and you can be super proud on yourself!

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  4. thanks, nette! The lining fabric was a great find, I got it for cheap at our local shop (quite shabby one :). It´s not traditional, just a nice, 100% cotton fabric. The weight is more suitable for home deco projects; I´ll probably make some pillowcovers from the rest :).

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  5. This is amazing! I bet people will be in awe when you tell them you made your leather bag. I like the color, too.

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  6. Amazing! I had no idea the bag would be THAT good :-)

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  7. @lizajane: thanks! Today I showed it to the friend who gave me those pants and I think she was glad I really made the bag :). She told me she will maybe give me another leather! Yay! :)
    @amelli: thanks! I wanted to make it properly, and I´m glad I did my best... but there are many flaws, of course :).

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  8. Planning: Still, the medieval workdress. The wrap skirt for my sister I mention in my BurdaStyle status (I stopped for a while, because I, cleverly, forgot the pattern at my grandma, and when I got it back, I couldn't bring myself to start again). Joyful yellow and orange and red covers for our kitchen/living room sofa. And many other things I won't bring up in fear of getting depressed by their number... :-)

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  9. Wow! You did such a great job with it! Congratulations!

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