Market Basket Bag 2.0 – Part IV

I love those days between Christmas en NYE. There is absolutely nothing you can do besides relaxing. The perfect time to continue with the Market Basket Bag 2.0. I love the stage of the bag making process where the bag is actually getting shape and starts to look like a bag. Well, that moment was now. Let’s see what I did in the meantime. 

Where did we leave off? 

If you’ve missed any part up to this point, make sure to start at the beginning!! But at the last post, we’ve left off at the point that I was assembling all the pannels together. Once I had done this for both bags, which I am making at the same time, I could continue.

Next step, counting!

The next step was to count, calculate and do it ones more just to be sure. Since I pre-made the piping on the bottom of the bag, the panels should exactly meet in the middle. Sometimes you might need to lose or create extra stitches when you are working with round parts. Though due to the piping, this was not necessary with this bag.

Inside out

When you sew your bags with piping, all the stitching is done, while the bag is turned inside out. And pay attention to the piping, this should also point inwards while sewing. So you don’t see how it turns out yet. But be patient, it will look amazing. 

Turning the bag

If you’ve done all the stitching of the bottom, you can turn the bag back to the right side out. This will be harder when you’ve used very stiff leather but since I’ve used woven leather, it was actually quite easy. 

Out-side out

This is, for now, the last step I’m showing before I continue with the second bag. When you’ve turned your bag, the piping does not look as it should be. The leather hasn’t got the right shape, direction, and position. To improve this, you can hammer or use a flat-nose plier to give it the perfect shape you’re looking for. 

A little bit more shaping and I am satisfied with the look of the market basket bag 2.0! I can’t wait to add the lining, top border, and handles (which I all still have to start on…) and see the final result!

So what’s next...?

First I add the bottom to the second bag as well. Secondly, I want to do a drop-lining with a little drop pocket as well. I am still looking for the perfect color of canvas to match the stitching thread. Thirdly, the handles need to be attached first before I attach the lining. And maybe I will also add some reinforcement to the bottom. It’s a market basket bag so you should definitely be able to carry around a whole basket full of groceries with you! And last but not least, the lining and the top of the panels will be coverd by another cognac colored piece of leather.