Each time I discuss a fashion item I get inspired by all the designer bags. But the words “Designer Bag” consist two very special words. First of all, “BAG” and who doesn’t love a great bag! But the other part “Designer” might even be more special. Because the bag is designed by someone and that someone could be you. What’s more perfect to design your own bags for you or, as in my case, for a customer? We’ve finished our design steps as you could have read in the previous post, I found the perfect piece of leather and I could start on the “work tote”!
Right now I will show you some details of the first part of the making of. As you can imagine the process of bagmaking is quite extensive as you might know by now. So if you love to see more of it than just the ones in this post, start following me on Instagram! You can regularly see an update on the bag’s I’m making at the moment.
The few first steps to take
Sometimes it is difficult to translate drawing to a pattern and turn a pattern into a bag. You need to think of all the different pieces you will need at starters. Next, after you have cut them they should actually be all the same size… If not… you might have a small problem. The question remains, how do you fix it all? Though once, you are getting better and better at cutting and more experienced with making bags you have tips and tricks for almost everything. But if you make a new bag, the order you resemble it in is never the same as any other bag.
**A tip, take a massive amount of bulldog clips and start “making” your bag step by step. Though make sure they don’t leave marks behind on your leather. That would be a shame…**
ZIPP IT….!
It has been a while since I used a zipper in one of my bags. Maybe since every time I try, I struggle with it… I am always scared it would hobble, bobble, wobble in the end. But this time I seemed to have managed ;).
In most of my making of’s, I tell you that I learned something new. Well this time, I’ve got another for you. This was the first time I actually placed the zipper pull on a separate, continuous zipper. There are quite some tutorials online so I thought that would be “something”. Although it is a piece of cake. If you like to buy your zipper per meter on a roll instead of premade/cut/sealed zippers (a little bit cheaper also) you shouldn’t be afraid to try! I used this tutorial over here.
When the hard thinking is done
I like to start with the most difficult things. Once I am done with those the rest will follow easily. I don’t know why but once all that’s left is sewing the pieces together I get in quite a quiet state of mind. It is almost therapeutic. After a long day of doing some programming or brain breaking math (;))for my internships, I love to work with my hands. Lately, I also read an article that if you’ve got a craft hobby like leathercraft or like following a ceramics class you could even perform better at your day job!!
Rivet press in action!
But let’s not wander off… let’s see the rest of part I. Since I got a rivet press for my birthday, as you could have read this post, I just love it. First of all, adding rivets will make your bag even stronger and durable for all the years to come, but secondly, it makes your bag look so much more professional!
I’ve added one on each side of the zipper since you will be pulling that part a lot. Open, close, open again…
And I’ve placed one on the separation of the inner bag pockets. You know, you’ve hidden your phone save and secretly in those but it *rings*… You need to grab it quickly and stresses the final stitches of the middle. Add a rivet and you don’t have to worry anymore!
A personalised bag is the best bag
Just in the middle of your (design) process, you have to think of the little details that will make a difference at the end. With the Kingsley machine I’ve got, it is possible to add my logo but also the initials of my buyer in the bag. Not only did I design the work tote for them but it also has their (and my brand-) name in it!
Well, ladies, that’s it for now! I hope to see you all on Instagram and if you like to follow the process of bag making, make sure to follow me. Ofcourse there will be more parts of the “making of work tote” on the blog as well so, either way, stay tuned for more!
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