Hi Guys, this new project is a small one, easily achievable for new comers wanting a first project. My friend bought a tool pouch for her new motorbike, I wasn’t impressed by the terrible quality of it so I took it and stripped it into it’s parts then used them as a pattern to make her a better one and one for myself, using 100% Veg tan leather. Here’s some photo’s of how it went. These pics are a mixture of the two as I didn’t take many of the first pouch...mainly because this is the first project since my Mum passed and I wasn’t really in the head space when I began, but, the process on both is exactly the same so you will be able to see the process well enough. I have shown many times on other projects how I transfer the patterns to the leather so if you want to know about that particular point feel free to look in the archive of my blog ‘A Journey into Leathercraft’.
Pic 1a : After transferring the patterns from the Cr***y pouch to the Veg tan leather My friend chose a Rose to go on the front of hers and a couple of initial stamps so I traced, carved and tooled it for her and added the initials as shown, I chose Oak leaves and Acorns as you will see later.
Pic1b Shows up more with the different shadowing.
Pic 1c : here you can see that around the edges I have also transfered the stitch hole marks ready for punching and a few of the strap rivit holes.
Pic 2 : After all the tooling was done I dyed all the sections black using fiebings Pro dye, I personally like the extra oilyness of it and ..just my opinion but I feel it looks a little better. Here I am also using my awl to widen the stitch holes slightly because my 1.5 mm punch is temporarily misplaced so I used a smaller one and widened them this way....never letting a small issue like that stop the process lol.
Pic 3 : I cut, punched, dyed and burnished the edges on all the straps, then I attached the buckles that were on the original..’Cr***y’ pouch.
Pic 4 : Before you start your hole punching, mark them and double check you have the correct amount of holes to meet up on the other side as you stitch it around, this is an easy one as the holes carry on all around ..for stitching purposes so once the side piece ..shown here.. is stitched as high as you need to, you just carry the stitch around for ‘looks’ as you will see, then you can...if you want to..carry the stitch around the edges of the flap..for the same reason.
Pic 5 : Both end sections are now stitched in place, using the old faithful ‘Saddle Stitch’ Here you can also see the punched holes where the new straps will go.
Pic 6 : This shows the design I chose for mine.
Pic 6a : Straps going on.
Pic 7 : Next I added the straps which really is a simple thing, nothing major. I used those plastic clips for closures as I think they just look the part on this particular project.
Pic 8 : Here you can see the straps threaded through from the inside.
Pic 9 : I had a couple of brass plated buckles so I used those on the straps for connecting to the bike.
Pic 10 : other view.
Pic 11 : All done, both pouches finished.
Pic12 : My friends new pouch, she’s happy with the better quality and loves the design.
Pic13 : And this is ‘my’ new tool pouch. As I said it was an easy build this time, it was a nice project to get me back into the workshop and I had fun making them, they have been heavily waxed but there is a small dry bag inside because these are leather and are water resistant not waterproof. If they get a good soaking we just empty them, sit in a warm room to dry naturally and re apply more wax..and we are back in action. I hope you might give it a go yourself, you don’t really need a pattern to make these I just had it so I used it. More coming soon. For anyone who isn’t aware yet, I have a blog called ‘A Journey into Leathercraft’ there are many builds in the archive dating back to 2015 and my first ever project through to present day. I also have a little Youtube channel with a few clips and a few build alongs..it’s all new to me but I think they are interesting if you are just starting out..just google ‘Youtube ‘shamancraftprojects’ ( yes..no spaces.) Thanks to all those of you who have been following my projects for years and welcome and thanks to all the new ones. back soon, be safe, but most of all ..to all those makers..Stay Crafty.
Hi guys, a few new projects have been completed so I will put the build photos up soon. A motorbike tool pouch build and a Motorbike Saddle bags build and there will be a new video of the Saddlebags build going up on my Youtube channel called ‘ShamanCraftProjects’ just as soon as I can edit it..reasonably. Don’t hold your breath or anything, just check in now and again on youtube and one day..it will be there. Go easy on me..I’m new to the whole filming and youtubing thing. I’m not intending to be ‘the next big thing’..I’m just little ole’ me, in my workshop having fun, sometimes I talk..sometimes I don’t...but I hope the work speaks for itself. many thanks for taking the time to look at, share and comment on my ‘stuff’, If you go to youtube please consider liking and subscribing and hit the bell to get notified of any new vids that go up...and tell your friends if you think they might have an interest, thanks. If I can just peek the interest of one other person to have a go at this amazing ( yet sometimes costly ) hobby..then I’m happy. I’m no professional just a guy giving it a go and sharing with others what ‘others’ have already shared with me. Watch this space guys and as always ‘Stay Crafty’.
