Satchel & Bag Ideas

[Cosmoline]

I've picked up a nice big piece of extra thick canvas and some pieces of deer and thick cow hide. I'm looking into making a small, lined hunting bag out of the deer or cow hide with a single compartment and some loops for basic muzzleloading. I've looked into some of the possible bag designs thought to have been used with the Lewis & Clark expedition and these appeal to me. Apparently they had the horn attached to the same strap as the bag. I've found a few patterns but want to collect more to see what I can do. I'm also interested to see how people incorporate a liner of calico or similar cloth. Does anyone have some or at least some detail shots of how they've done it?

With the heavy canvas sack I want to make a heavy duty, double thickness pack/satchel. This would be for hauling possibles plus a bedroll in "U" shape over the top. Big thick leather straps are what I'm picturing for added support as I've found canvas straps tend to get sweaty, roll up and bite into the skin. On that front I have found bupkus other than some rough photos. No plans at all.

 

[Goldhunter]

I'll have to look to see what I have on pack ideas. I think I have some good drawings of what you're talking about.

As far as lined bags, I saw this really cool one at Ft Bridger earlier this month that had some of the ticking lining sticking out at the edges, and then if was frayed. The leather was brain tan deer. It was a nice effect. I plan on trying one like it.

One way to do the attached straps is to make the bag strap your required width, then add a half inch to the width on the outside edge. Cut up that half inch line as far as you want, then stitch the shoulder strap to the bag, leaving those half inch wangs free. You can now attach your horn to them and you didn't need to sew additional straps to your bag strap. Make sense?

 

[Cosmoline]

I think I can understand that. Sometimes my brain gets stuck in the loops so to speak.