bag question

[1eyemountainmen]

I am trying to make a possible bag. I have tried a few things and I now have alot of questions. What type of leather should I use? I have a canvas liner picked out and a beaver tail for the flap. I think I can use contact glue to hold it together to get started. The help I need is with the seams. Do i made a single seam or, do I fold the edge over and make a double seam? How do you make a pouch???????????

 

[musketman]

You could sew it inside out, this way (when reversed) your seams will be hidden...

I have seen them laced with just a long leather strip, single and double sewn too, sneak a look at a woman's purse, note how the compartmants are made, this will give you an idea of how to sew in the sections...

 

[MSzychulda]

I like to use a modified saddle stitch. I like sewing my pouches inside out to hide and protect the stitches. I then use an awl to make 3-5 stiches every inch. I use hemp linen thread and sew it back and forth in a running stitch the length of the bag. Upon reaching the end you go backwards until you end up where you first began, covering all the unstiched areas with your new stiching.

To save time some use two needles and weave them back and forth, but using one needle is easier for me and I am in no hurry.

Leather is what ever you like. I have used pig skin, cow splits, elk hide and hemp linen canvas with success. I prefer a thicker but soft leather myself like cow, but pig skin really works and wears well. I have even seen a fine groundhog pouch which looked great!

I like to put in small inner pouches before sewing up the bag to hold oil and small tools like my turn screw. I make these from thin hide to simply keep the pouch organized.

Make sure you don't go too large. Most original pouches were small. My rifle pouch is 7" by 7" and my fowler pouch is 8" by 8". One of my first pouches I made 10" by 10" and it was too large and lacked the support. You really don't need to carry much to shoot, and the extra tools can be stored in your haversack. This is simply my preference, of course you need to find what works for you.

Here are some pictures of the stiching to get you started. Good luck and keep up posted on your progress!

 

[2172]

I bought a "thonging chisel" from one of the supply houses...I use it to first correctly space my needle holes, and then to make the sewing of the leather easy...since I started using it, my leather work looks a lot better, and is easier to do. I agree with everything the others have said, but caution you on too many interior pockets...a couple of my early ones went that way, and the neat compartments for each item get to be a pain in the neck in actual use...my most recent has a center divider brought back against the pouch back to form two pockets, and leaving a large, half-of-the-pouch pocket in front of that...Hank

 

here's a little tutorial I wrote on how to do a modified harness/saddle stitch - while directed towards knife sheathmakers the method is the same ....[url] http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/tutorials/_leatherstitch.html[/url]

it also includes a link on how-to make your own stitching pony/clam - the leather smith's third hand....

 

[1eyemountainmen]

Here is what I've got so far. I am wanting to put a beavertail on the bag as a flap. The repair is elk hide and the bag is made of deer skin. I tried to age it. I aged it to much and ripped a big hole in it.I need some ideas on the strap. What sould the strap be made out of??

How should it be attached to the bag?

 

[Norskie]

I like the look of it so far, especially the repair. IMHO, you might oughta avoid contact cement, it's real hard to hide, and sometimes makes it harder to stitch. Straps were often made from webbing, which you can get from a lot of suppliers. Jas Townsend comes to mind, or Panther Primitives.
Just pay attention to the stitching tutorials that have been mentioned. Stitch the strap and beavertail on, keep the bag simple, and have fun with it!

 

[1eyemountainmen]

Well here it is all but, the strap. I think it looks o.k. Does anyone have any suggestions? The horn is a work in progress.