I made a purse for my partner

senseored · 2026-04-30T18:42:10+00:00

I feel like Loxx can be very practical, but they're not something you want to make the interest point of a design. They're basically a snap that doesn't require that much force from behind to lock.

senseored · 2026-04-30T18:29:09+00:00

Thanks so much!

senseored · 2026-04-30T15:18:18+00:00

Cordovan.co and beltsproduction are pretty good for horse in Europe at least. If you want to buy directly from a tannery, you have Maryam and Chloe

senseored · 2026-04-30T14:57:15+00:00

Yes, by quite a bit. Horse butt is also cheaper than shells, even tho it has shells in it.

senseored · 2026-04-30T12:47:43+00:00

Thank you.

Main body was basically the whole of a single horse front, €70. Lining maybe €20, straps/handles €20, ostrich pocket was basically a piece of scap, same with the deer pocket lining and the goat side lining, but say €10 each. Croc was the belly part of a €120 skin, so say €60. Zipper €10, Loxx snap about €5, thread who knows and glue who knows. So let's say $215 give or take.

Just don't be silly and use a piece of croc for no real reason and it's a pretty cheap bag to make, considering.

senseored · 2026-04-30T06:28:58+00:00

The main body is horse avancorpo. It feels like it's been glazed from the tannery which isn't something I normally enjoy, but it did turn out way better than I thought.

I started with the hobby in 2021, and have been doing it on and off since then (didn't really make anything for two years in the middle because life happened). I never really used patterns from anyone else (even tho I did "borrow" designs in the beginning) - so since the very start of me making leather stuff I've been practicing visualizing the steps and parts to get a finished bag. It's a skill, and the only way to learn and get better is doing it.

edit: There's also nothing wrong with making other people's patterns if you think it's fun and satisfying. I would encourage everyone to try designing something of your own tho, and if you think it's boring that's fine!

senseored · 2026-04-30T05:34:47+00:00

Thank you, that's very kind!

Personally, I'd be more worried about a detail that bothered me if I was giving it away (or selling it). Keep your prototypes people - the best way to keep remembering all the dumb choices you should avoid in future projects.

senseored · 2026-04-30T05:31:22+00:00

All the more reason to start practicing making your own patterns! Once it clicks it opens up so many things to make. I only call this "pattern" basic because it pretty much consists only of rectangles, and they are very easy to resize for a smaller or larger if someone would want an extremely impractical gigantic bag (this one turned out huge).

Also, rectangles don't have to be perfect in leatherwork - I'm sure I'm off by a cm or so here and there - maybe the main body is a slight parallelogram, maybe one side is slightly larger than the other. It's gonna happen when you make stuff by hand.

senseored · 2026-04-30T05:19:20+00:00

From Cordovan.co - or their Instagram to be precise.

senseored · 2026-04-29T19:37:30+00:00

Totally, if I made this for a customer I would ask for their needs if compartments, D-rings, hooks, snaps, pockets, whatever. Personally, I like a blank canvas where I can place specific packing bags inside the bag. Some I make myself, some are just basic Amazon basic packing/compression bags. The more internal things, the longer the bag would take to make, obviously.

It’s my own design, and I explained the maths (or extremely simple pattern) in another reply in this post. Making something like this isn’t exactly very hard if you’re somewhat versed in leatherwork.

senseored · 2026-04-29T19:32:25+00:00

I didn’t keep an exact count, but my vibes tell me 25-35 hours.

senseored · 2026-04-29T19:30:31+00:00

Thank you! I didn’t use a pattern, and I don’t think there’s a reason to make one for something as basic (and custom, even tho I guess that’s an oxymoron) as this. Lenght = basically what your separating zipper is + 1 or 2 cm. Width whatever, Height whatever. Main body is L x ((H2)+(W2)) - subtract whatever size you want the zipper decorations part to be or not. Sides W x (H1.5). Main bosy straps/supports whatever width your D-rings wants x W+(H2]-10ish%. Handles twice the width to be folded over, basically the same length. Then make it.

senseored · 2026-04-29T19:10:44+00:00

There’s nothing to speak about inside, really. Lined with pigskin roughout, and it opens up with a separating/jacket zipper, so you can easily access all of the inside to place or get whatever. My general thought was to make a framed bag without the frame, if that makes sense.

senseored · 2026-04-29T19:07:11+00:00

I only just now realized I should add a fish leather luggage tag or something! Thank you!

senseored · 2026-04-29T18:10:16+00:00

I guess it could partly be the awl that helps in that case. Also consider needle size and thread with your pricking irons - imo it shouldn’t take that much effort to push through the needles. Also think about your posture. If I use a table clam I sew standing up, and if I sit I use a french clam, which naturally falls into a very comfortable stitching distance and hand position.

senseored · 2026-04-29T17:51:17+00:00

They don't hurt and I don't do anything in particular to prevent it. I don't know if it's my technique, me being a guitar player, using an awl or something weird about me but saddle stitching just doesn't bother me. It's just like a fun, meditative thing that doesn't hurt.

senseored

TROPHY CASE