Pattern Review -- Making Leather Sling Bag using Simplicity Patttern 9803

 

This project is my second entry for the Pattern Review bag contest.

I have never sewn with leather before. I had some small pieces of leather gifted to me years ago that I never used. I thought this would be a good time to learn how to sew a leather bag and use up stash.

This is the 5th bag I made with this pattern. This month. The first three were muslins made from upholstery fabric gifted to me from my grandmother, may she rest in peace, when she was reducing her stash. The fourth was a mystery fabric that may be "pleather" or vegan leather. This final project accomplishes my goal of sewing a leather bag, although I have no idea what type of leather. This was a small hide.

Photos:
1. Front of Bag
2. Back of Bag
3. Sewing details: added interior and exterior pockets, darts for shaping
4. From hide to bag
5. Comparing new and old bags

Pattern Description:
Simplicity Bags in Four Styles by Elaine Heigl Designs 9803
Slouchy lined bags have indie style. Bucket bag with shoulder strap has pom pom and tassel charm; slouch shoulder bag has all-in-one loop closure. Sling bag with zipper has trimmed strap and pom pom and tassel charm. Rounded purse has purchased handles. See envelope for more information.
I made version C: Sling bag with zipper.

Pattern Sizing: N/A

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes, except I made many changes.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes.

I made bag C, which had only 1 piece in the pattern envelope. The bag clearly required tabs and a strap. There were no pieces for either. I deducted a star for those omitted pieces.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern?
Likes:
The pattern was close to the shape of the bag I wanted to replicate and was easily customized to fit the design I wanted.

Dislikes:
The pattern had only 1 piece and was missing needed pieces for the straps and hardware. I drafted those missing pieces, but a beginner might find drafting the missing pieces challenging.

The pattern only specifies interfacing without explaining what type.

Fabric Used:
Leather

Notions Used:
2-inch webbing
Ring
2 zippers
Upholstery Thread
Leather Needles
Teflon presser foot

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made:
I made many changes to make the bag "pick pocket resistant," more ergonomic and easier to use for travel. Here is the list of changes:
• Moved the zipper from the side to the back to be pick pocket resistant.
• Moved the top and bottom webbing strap to the center of the bag.
• Added a front pocket to the bag with an exposed top zipper that could securely hold passports, tickets, wallet with ID.
• Top stitched the black zippers using accenting black upholstery thread
• Added a pocket on the interior that could hold a cell phone and a kindle
• Made the bag reversible. It can be worn as a front sling or backpack with either the main compartment or outside pocket visible.

With the fabric scraps remaining from the hide, I made four different sized zipper leather bags. There was almost no waste.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? Yes. This is my 5th version of the bag. When I road tested the muslins, and the vegan leather bag all had great balance. When worn, the bag sits flush against my body, so it is comfortable and still highly pick pocket resistant. The outside pocket lets me have quick access to phone, subway card and passport when needed. When quick access is not needed, items can be put securely in the main compartment.

The bag is fabulous when picking up my grandkids from daycare or taking them to the playground. I fell in love with this style bag when my youngest was an infant because the style allowed me to combine purse and diaper bag contents into one bag, have what I needed with me on the go and still have arms free to carry small children and all their stuff (toys, artwork, backpacks, etc). The design is just as effective when herding grandchildren today.

Conclusion:
I've enjoyed my bag making journey. For this project, I used the PR philosophy of beating a pattern to death. I feel like I have learned many ways to make an imperfect bag.... but most components of all five bags came from stash. Stash pattern. Stash gifted fabric (does that count as double stash since the gifter's stash was gifted to me?). Stash denim lining. Stash zippers. The stash exceptions were specialty items I did not have because I've never made bags before the webbing, specialty upholstery thread and leather needles.

Bottom line:
I spent the month learning to sew leather bags and I was able to do so. Yay. I feel like I passed the final exam. I have a bag that meets my particular needs.