Since last week’s prototype Sashiko-inspired bag worked out ok, I decided to go ahead and make the leather version. I used variegated thread and embroidered one of the two green leather panels. The other panels are navy sueded and cobalt blue leather. It has a petrol blue leather casing for the flex frame and a golden sateen lining, with two zipped pockets.
It went together surprisingly easily and I love the result; it’s not often I make something “just because”, usually I’m designing workshop projects or items to sell – or at least for selling the pattern… Having made it though, I’m now thinking it WOULD make a great PDF pattern to sell on Etsy, and a great workshop. However, before I get to that stage I want to try out a couple of variations because it’s quite thick around the top where the leather casing meets the side panel inverted pleats. It was awkward to stitch, but my Pfaff coped very well and the finish is very good, but I’d like to try to reduce the bulk so it’s more “maker-friendly”, because the rest of it went together fairly easily and it’s a fun bag to make. I also need to find a better solution for the strap. At the moment I’m using some braiding I bought especially for it, but need something more substantial – maybe narrow webbing with the braid stitched on top. Still, it isn’t meant to be a “heavy-duty” bag!
