I carefully measured the old original carpetbag and cut out all the pieces. I had to try to come up with an order of sewing them by myself. To some this might be easy but I am unable to visualize what happens in a logical order so I had to wing it and undo a couple of things but I didn't do too badly. The bag is gorgeous! The only thing I didn't do was put a zipper and a pocket in it. I may try to add these on the next one. I will also reduce the size a bit so I can use it everyday. I took a lot of pictures but of course not of every step. I'm going to try to fill it in as I make the other bag.
Working with leather is daunting. If you try to sew too many layers on a regular machine you can really mess it up. The trick is to use a leather needle and a longer stitch. The next best tip is to use Dritz Wonder Tape. This is a double sided tape that is sewable through. It keeps the leather from slipping and makes it all possible. Forget trying to sew leather without it on a standard machine. Although I've made quite a few things out of leather I have yet to get some of the gadgets that true leather crafters use like a skive, v gage, strap end cutter and wing divider. I'm sure one of these days I'll add these to my repertoire but for now all I have is my rotary cutter and board, rivet and snap setter set, rivets and snaps and mallet. I've just made sure I don't use a real thick leather so I haven't had too much of a problem going through layers. Pictures to come!
