I’ve made a lot of cloth and boy, doesn’t it just pile up?
I decided to upcycle my samples into one-of-a-kind bags. My material of choice, waxed canvas. And like just about anything new, it became a pretty big rabbit hole. Who knew?
I took some video classes from Klum House – such a nice company with great, lighthearted instruction. I made a kit bag to see if I liked the process and I did so I continued with 3 instructional videos. I ended up ordering waxed canvas from Sailrite, leather from Tandy, bits and bobs from all over for the hardware. I modified the bag designs to suit my fabric and fabric sizes, added pockets and other features I thought I needed. Here’s the result – 12 bags in 3 basic form factors, a tote, bucket and tote pack. I really enjoyed working with waxed canvas and plan on making my own with handwoven cloth. We will see how that goes when I get to it.
I had a great time learning to work with leather – cutting, dyeing and shaping. The hardware setting was also fun and sometimes challenging. All in all I think I have a path for the odd samples I make on my various looms – they can provide a flourish on some very upscale feeling utilitarian bags.
If you go down this road, here are a few tools that you shouldn’t do without:
- seam roller for waxed canvas (heavy)
- hole punch for leather holes
- rivet setter
- good hammer (cylinder style – not metal for setting hardware)
- leather strap cutter
- leather edge bevel
- leather half round punch for rounded ends of straps
- a good sewing machine – does not have to be industrial but a heavy duty one helps
- rotary cutter
- cutting mat
- transparent cutting edge like quilters use
So, equipped for bag making, I will probably make more when the stash pile starts, well, piling up.