Earlier this year I was inspired to create a leather tote bag which was different to the typical style handbag that I normally create. Generally, SHERENE MELINDA’S handbags focus on the hair-on-hide feature. However, in this case I wanted to create an extra-large soft and versatile shopping bag using some beautiful, glazed leather. This leather has a smooth shiny finish but also maintains the natural characteristics of the material. For this style handbag, as the underside of the leather had a consistent look and feel I decided to keep the bag unlined. Typically, I would use a soft natural coloured leather lining on the inside of the handbags.
Once the bag style had been chosen, the next step was to decide on the exact shape, size and volume of the bag. I knew I wanted an oversized handbag. As I wanted to use it for shopping I decided on a large open compartment with a long comfortable padded strap. This meant that the bag could be easily filled and worn over the shoulder or as a cross-body bag. A traditional tote bag would typically have two over the shoulder straps or handles however I wanted a modern version so that the handbag could also be worn across the body.
After researching and experimenting with different shapes and sizes I set about cutting the pattern. I completed a few mock up bags in fabric and felt confident with the final pattern which I then used to cut the beautiful leather. Cutting is an important part of the process with this style bag as I wanted to keep the edges raw, so this meant that the final leather cuts needed to be clean (sharp and straight). Leather is also a precious and relatively expensive material to work with so it is always best to keep mistakes to a minimum, even when working with prototypes.
Once all the pieces were cut from the pattern, it was then time to skive the leather. This ensures that the thickness of the seams are neat, helping the stitches to be tight and the seams to lie flat. After stitching the main compartment, I then worked on the leather handle. It is reinforced with an inner strap to make it both strong and soft. The final stage in the construction was to stitch it all together and add the finishing touches to the bag.
If you are interested in this article, then you may be interested to read about how I turned my idea into a business and the mistakes I made along the way.
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