Leathercrafting Creations: PYC

[pikler]

Here's my girlfriends new camera case and strap, damn my hands hurt.

[skids]

great thread, it's been pretty inpirational for this novice leather worker.

here's my first set. all of the hardware is solid bronze naval gear made in Italy, except for the solid brass Chicago screws on the belts.

-J

[corter]

for my friend erin, she wanted something inspired by a wingtip shoe.

[corter]

heres a few newer ones i've been doing in between the normal stuff. i know they're not typical raw/plain/western, but sometimes it's nice to do something different, i'd love to get more orders like these

[dkatz]

I'm hoping a couple of you superawesome DIY-ers could help me out here... a couple months ago i found someone on ebay who was regularly selling key/wallet-rein hooks similar to this flathead one:

for around US$15-20. And now I can NOT find it. Anyone know who the seller is? Or where I can find them? I really just want one to use as a keyring.

[corter]

got nothin mate, sorry.

[warhorseworkshop]

some new stuff.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt247/warhorseworkshop/walletinside2.jpg

[MikeS]

I'm hoping a couple of you superawesome DIY-ers could help me out here... a couple months ago i found someone on ebay who was regularly selling key/wallet-rein hooks similar to this flathead one:

for around US$15-20. And now I can NOT find it. Anyone know who the seller is? Or where I can find them? I really just want one to use as a keyring.

Finally Found It!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Multiple-FISHHOOK-Type-Motorcycle-Key-Ring-1950_W0QQitemZ320443102483QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9be5b513

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Multiple-FISHHOOK-Type-Motorcycle-Key-Ring-1950_W0QQitemZ320443102282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9be5b44a

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Multiple-FISHHOOK-Type-Motorcycle-Key-Ring-1950_W0QQitemZ320442720923QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9bdfe29b

[corter]

[mr fluffernutter]

that is super cool

[dkatz]

^^ That just almost made me pee myself in happiness. Maybe it's just because I miss my bicycle a lot, though.

I like the idea of a lock that is so nice that it'd be desirable to a thief... but it's a LOCK! HAH!

[corter]

thanks guys !!!

[zissou]

Wasn't sure where else to put this, but there is some leather in here Some of the other leather work in here puts mine to shame! Nice stuff, guys.

Here's a backpack I've been working on over the past couple of weeks. I wanted something simple, like a Duluth Utility pack, but a little smaller. I needed something to carry my laptop, lunch, and maybe a light jacket on a daily basis. I wanted to use natural canvas and leather, but decided to use denim for the lining. All hardware is solid brass with copper rivets.

I couldn't find a slim laptop sleeve that I liked, so I thought I'd make one. I started out making a pocket to fit my Macbook Pro:

I cut a piece of neoprene from some old chest waders to pad the back and bottom of the laptop:

Then I made a larger pocket to cover it all up and sewed it together:

I then sewed the laptop sleeve onto the piece for the lining, and added an iPhone-sized pocket and a couple pen slots to what would be the front of the lining:

Next up- constructing the canvas pack itself. I added a pocket to the outside for something like a bandana or snack (I dunno). The pocket is hidden by the flap:

Then I dropped the lining into the pack and sewed it all together:

[zissou]

Time to add the hardware! Two straps to keep the laptop in place:

Front straps to hold down the flap:

Shoulder straps. The only design flaw I'm a little unhappy about is that I didn't rivet the straps directly to the pack.

Need some buckles down bottom to hold the shoulder straps:

The whole assembly:

And, finally, the fit! I'm carrying my laptop and I stuffed a light jacket in for a little bulk.

All in all, I'm really happy how it turned out. It was my first sewing project, so I can't really complain. I'm glad as hell that it's done!

[fardin]

incredible captain, i love the backpack . you can really be pround. great job!!!

[liewbaysea]

thats pretty awesome. one made entirely of leather would be complete sex

[vamks]

again, amazing... completely inspired

[toruokada]

Man that is awesome Z...very impressive for your first project. Can't rep anymore or I would :/

[Ry'on]

Dope! That's great, nice lining addition and pockets too. Great colors and shape.

[the Repeater]

Whelp, that's a Duluth Scout with some extra pockets, alright.

[corter]

that's great mate!

leather wise, i wouldn't worry about not riveting straight to the pack. your stitching looks great, and those rivets will age really nicely. I'd only suggest clipping them a bit closer

[zissou]

Thanks for the comments and +rep, everyone. It was a fun project, but a lot of work alright.

Yeah, corter, I realized when I was making the pack that I should have practiced riveting beforehand I think I can hammer down and round some of them a little more. They were looking pretty good by the time I finished the pack.

[oboy_oboy]

That looks awesome Z. Glad to see the process pics. You might have an Etsy career in front of you...

[Mr Black]

That's a lovely bag. Been thinking about trying to make myself an old style backpack. Did you use a standard sewing machine for this? How the hell do you put the rivets in? where do yiou get the straps from?

So so many questiions

[zissou]

Thanks, Otis.

Mr. Black- Thanks. I did use a standard sewing machine, but it was a challenge. There were spots where I had to sew through 4+ layers of canvas. Use heavy thread, set the tension pretty high, and go slowly. For rivets, I'd punch a hole in the fabric/leather, then hand hammer the rivets. But, you need a $10 tool to set the washer and good cutters to nip the excess rivet off before hammering. The straps are just belt blanks.

[Mr Black]

That's REALLY inspired me to give it a go. Watch out for a hickory stripe backpack. May be a few years down the line tho'

Zissou- do you mind if I tap you up for supplier hints on rivets, straps, buckles etc?

[zissou]

Not at all. I got all of the leather at a local leather shop, and the rivets and buckles came from a local western shop. But, you can find it all on Ebay.

[Mr Black]

Well- I think i've pretty much found all the neccessary suppliers over here in the UK so I think i'll pick up some hickory cloth on the way home and start practicing my sewing, if the wife lets me use her machine.

Will post pics if/when I get started.

(ps- do you need a special tool to snip the rivets down?)

[zissou]

I use some small nippers, but a good pair of wire cutters should also work. Have fun!

[zissou]

I don't make pretty stuff, but it works. This holds my VW key and three office keys- the only keys I ever carry.