(Click images to enlarge)
A few weeks before our granddaughter's 4th birthday my wife suggested that I make her a leather handbag as a birthday gift.
Searching online for a suitable pattern I came across the Tandy Dasher Handbag Kit which at first glance seemed to offer the ideal solution.
On closer examination, however, I realised that the Dasher is held together by lace, which I felt looked a little too heavy for such a small purse. But, as I really like the shape and size of the Dasher I decided to try and create my own pattern using the Dasher as a model.
Creating the pattern turned out to be a little more difficult than I first would have thought, but after a bit of a struggle, I eventually came up with something that seemed workable.
I chose a piece of 2mm (5oz) vegetable tan leather from which to cut the four parts of the bag -
the strap, the gusset, the front panel and the extended back panel which folds over to also form the front flap.
The 300mm (12") rule included in the photo gives an indication of size.
Before assembling the bag I decided to decorate the front flap with a simple design and bright colours intended to appeal to the young lady in question.
My initial attempts at trying to carve the design on some scraps of leather using a swivel knife soon convinced me that a lot more practice would be needed before I was able to produce something remotely acceptable.
But, with the birthday drawing closer and not much time left for further experimentation I decided to take a different approach.
I drew the design on paper, lightly dampened the surface of the leather, and then using a blunt modelling stylus traced the pattern onto the damp leather - always make sure to dampen the whole piece of leather, not just the area being worked on to avoid water marks when it dries.
After removing the paper I went over lines on the still-damp leather with the stylus a few times to increase the definition. Once the leather was completely dry I painted in the design with a fine paintbrush using brightly coloured Angelus acrylic leather paints.
Then, using a fine-pointed black sharpie I went over the outlines to enhance the contrast.
Once I was sure that the paint was completely dry I applied a liberal coating of
homemade dubbin to
all four pieces. This was buffed in thoroughly with a soft cloth to both feed and protect the leather.
Prior to assembly I first burnished any edges that would be difficult to burnish afterwards
using Seiwa Tokonole as described here.
The actual assembly began with glueing and stitching the gusset to the front of the bag.
To have the gusset lie properly, I had to cut in a few small v-shaped notches which are just visible in the left-hand photo showing the inside view
of the partially stitched bag; the right-hand photo shows the outside at the same stage.
Because the gusset is turned inwards, stitching it to the front panel wasn't particularly easy, especially as the small size and shape prevented me from holding it in a stitching pony.
But, it was only when it came to attaching the back that I fully realised just what a huge mistake I had made by designing a bag with the gusset turned inwards.
Stitching from the inside of the bag was extremely difficult.
Not only could I not see what I was doing, but I could barely fit my hand inside.
In the end, I eventually got it done by putting a 90-degree bend in the needles and literally sewing blind. I must have had
at least half a dozen needle pricks before it was finished. Fortunately, I managed to not drip any blood on the leather as past experience has
taught me that it leaves a permanent stain!
Once the front was attached all that remained was to sew the strap to the protruding ends of the gusset. I then burnished the remaining edges before buffing up the whole bag with a little more dubbin and a soft cloth.
Finally, to finish off the bag I fitted a Tandy Small Oval Bag Clasp (#1301-01) which is identical to the one provided with the Dasher kit.
Generally, I would be happy to share my pattern, however, in this case, as it is a direct copy of a commercial item I don't feel comfortable doing so. Besides this, given how difficult the bag was to assemble, the pattern would first need a complete rework.
In the end, making this bag taught me some valuable design lessons, but most importantly, I am pleased to say that my granddaughter was absolutely delighted with her new purse - All that effort was fully repaid by the enormous smile on her face.
As an aside, after completing this bag I now realise why most similar style bags, even much larger ones, such as the next bag I made as seen below, are designed with the gusset turned outwards.