Oversized Envelope Bag – Making of Part I

The envelope clutch will never be out of style as you could have read in the previous post. Therefore a very wise choice for a custom-made bag. This time it will be a little bit fancier since the customer chooses Raider leather. It is one of the more expensive types of leather I could get at my local leather shop. The hide is a full grain leather hide without any coating or finish (forgot how all the different types of leather are named, check out this 101 leather guide!). Isn’t it just lovely!!

First a cup of tea!

Somehow the design process is so much more fun when you sit together, sip on a cup of tea and just start babbling. What are the wishes, the type of leather they prefer, the colour and the main purpose of the bag? Whenever I’ve got a clear view, we start to sketch. “A little bit bigger, nope a little smaller”… after a little while we’ve got it! Now it is time to translate all the scribbling and little notes here and there into a physical design.

Not your usual paper bag

To enthusiast the buyer and to shape a clear view of the workflow for me I always start with a paper mall. I just keep folding, shaping and cutting until I think the design is finished. About then is the time for some feedback from your buyer and see how they already fall in love with just the paper bag…

Next up, the pattern

It depends on my mood whether I first create the pattern of the oversized envelope clutch on cardboard or if I make it digital right away. Since we chose for a fully glued lining I have to trace the pattern twice. When you are reading this to implement my workflow into yours don’t forget to mirror your design for the lining in case you have an A-symmetric design.

Cut!

Right now for me, it is time to cut all the pieces, gather the hardware and wait for some packages to arrive with new supplies! The next parts of the making of will be there soon though you can always follow my progress on Instagram.