Make your own Messenger Bag Part One

This is a work along video to help you make your own Messenger Bag.
It is designed to be used with the Instruction pack available from Armitage Leather: www.armitageleather.com/shop
Drop me a line with Messenger Bag in the subject line from the email address you would like it sent to.
I will then send you the instruction pack in PDF format.
Don't forget to watch part two!

[@manatarms47]

Thank you so much for this! I think your approach to selling the plans and having the how to video available on KZbin is a fantastic Idea.

[@ArmitageLeather]

Cheers Kyle, just need bods to buy the plans now.

[@crypto_pinto2660]

Love your work. I wish I picked up this craft at least 20 years ago.

[@mware11]

Thank you for taking the time to share your skills. You do some spectacular work, and I will enjoy following along.

[@mrdabeetle1]

When using Chicago screws, I like to put thread lock on them to help keep them from coming loose. The screws can still be easily removed for cleaning/maintenance. Great looking bag! Thank you for sharing your work.

[@Pavlovcev]

Thank you very much Nigel for you greatest learning material. You beautiful teacher. Best regards for you and you's pretty dogs! .=)

[@tristanjones9045]

Great Video and even better attitude. I can really tell tell that you are passionate about teaching people. Thank You

[@MrSacok]

Just to say thanks for your video , Its been a big help. doing the messenger bag is my next real project .

[@jfbreese]

Your videos are really great! Thank you for all the cool, detailed tips. I am just getting started with leather working and find this all very useful. I appreciate you!

[@kateboisoneau4413]

Amazing video! You are so generous to share your skills and expertise with anyone and everyone.

[@drwarnercrochetfavs]

Nice video and step by step. I sent an email to order this pattern. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@jimsound7888]

at last, a fellow lefty that i can follow. Just subscribed

[@mikaelroupe7975]

Another quick question: Your little round working table for pricking the leather looks extremely comfortable. Especially with the tool so readily nearby. Could you do a short video on your workshop? It's always inspiring to see how people make the most of small spaces. :-)

[@LebecEgirlSews]

Great Video !!! Please let me know where I can purchase the long cutting mat.

[@DannoCrutch]

How come all of you skilled craftsmen are British? ;-) I'm a hi-fi nut and they shine there too, with quality construction, no short cuts, etc. Much respect.

[@ArmitageLeather]

Folks, some good news for you stitchers State side, Stefan at Ludlow Leather in Chicago has started stocking Tiger Thread (Ritza25) and John James Needles. This should make life a lot easier for those wanting this thread. Nige ludlowleather.com/

[@DDG1969]

Awesome work... Subscribed

[@brian2007tube]

Thanks for the pattern Simon, it is very well written and well worth the price. One question... I have started to look at buying the hardware for this and am struggling to get the strap loop and grommet in the right size. Could you suggest an alternative solution for the fastening? Brian

[@nickinspring]

Nigel, Beautiful bag, but why did you split the gusset? You had a beautiful one piece gusset, and split it into 3 pieces. Even though the stitching will keep it together, it seems like an unneeded thing to do! But, even with the 3 piece gusset, it is a beautiful piece. I don't want to be critical, I love your video's. Because of your use of pricking irons, I have bought a set of them and love them. Much better quality on finish product than using a stitching wheel. Keep up the Great Videos. Nick

[@FranziskaJ]

Thanks a lot for that video, I really like the bag! I've got one technical question though. How do you keep the awl from cutting into the keep while pushing it to the side to sew it on?

[@tifflambert7164]

Hiya Niell, where did you get your long cutting mat?

[@lindamellingen5977]

Love this. May I ask where your leather came from, and where the purse lock can be bought? 😉

[@andrewgordon7316]

What material do you use for your pattern boards?

[@banxt]

Thank you very much for posting this video! May I ask why you made the side bends in three pieces instead of one?!

[@adamdorflinger5331]

Hello Nigel, purely out of interest: the edge dye you're using (first around 9:23) ... is that regular Edge Kote or some home brew stuff? Great video, by the way. Please, keep them coming! :-)

[@brian2007tube]

I have found a solution for supplying strap loop and grommet; although a bit smaller than what Nigel uses so the strap needs to be narrower. I ordered these Grommets from Etsy: 20pcs 3cm ( inside size ) silver Oval Eyelet Grommets Etsy Shop: bagpurseframes. They took 5 weeks to arrive from Japan. I also got a Tandy strap loop part number 11406-01 - it needs to be the 5/8" size one. The grommets arrived today and they fit the strap loop perfectly. I actually made the bag using a Tandy bag clasp (Item #11400-05) which looks great on this bag, because I did not want to wait for the grommets.

[@leathercraftsman4754]

Thank you so much

[@davidgsolis]

Hi Nigel! Thank you very much for posting this video. Got one question, what kind of awl are you using for stitching in this video?/do you recommend as well? Thanks!

[@KoltonStimpert]

A few specifics I'm curious about that I hope you don't mind sharing: What type and weight of leather are you using? Where can I get this leather? What thread are you using? Is there a reason you don't use a gouge on your stitching line?

[@michaelsafar8872]

Nice video, can I ask you what is the thickness of the leather?

[@dougandh3]

Nigel, can you tell me what kind of leather you are using for this project?

[@rafaelapreza535]

is very very prety congratulation

[@CyclingClaire]

Hi Nigel, Love your videos! Just a little question which you may be able to help me with. In one of your videos you use a ruler with a sliding 'stop' the likes of which I have been trying to find for ages. I can get loads of the ,diy, types which are bulky and prone to slip. I hope this isn't one of your pet secrets! My leatherwork is just for my own pleasure (and increasingly others) but I do like to try new techniques. The thing I have biggest difficulty with is getting an even colour on larger bags etc.,the advantage of tooling I suppose is you don't notice it as much. My latest project was a Ladies Briefcase, pattern from Al Stohlman Cases vol2 which I decided not to decorate as the recipient prefers plain. I think your idea of the tree trunk is a super idea, I won't copy it as I do all my work upstairs....... I will enclose a couple of photos if i can manage it. Best wishes for the festive season. Claire

[@joshpuskarich7864]

+Claire Ashton Veritas Ruler Stop

[@CyclingClaire]

Josh Puskarich Thanks! I'll go from there.....

[@caddypaddy13]

I'm just starting out. What's a good glue to use please? Is it special leather glue or super glue work? Thanx for the great videos

[@crypto_pinto2660]

Watch his videos. He mentions them. It's called barge.

[@FortnersFrontierLeather]

Hello Nigel. What ounce leather are you using for this project?

[@julla1416]

What exactly are you using to color/finish the edges?

[@ArmitageLeather]

Hello Julla, for finishing edges I usually use Edge kote. Regards Nigel.

[@julla1416]

@@ArmitageLeather thank you!

[@TheCarbaxin]

What leather was used for this bag? Thank you.

[@wjgerberjr]

I was wondering this very question.. Thanks for asking Alexandru

[@pierrelgl2264]

Parfait!!!!!

[@captshae]

where do you buy your hardware from?

[@panchoskywalker]

Are you using 0.8 or 0.6 thread?

[@kammomile]

Hi, Nigel. What kind of paint do you use on the edges?

[@ArmitageLeather]

I use edgekote, then beeswax and burnish. But there are many ways to finish edges, Nigel

[@MyKatylove]

hey nigel, will it trouble you to provide the measurements? i would like to have some rough ideas.

[@crypto_pinto2660]

Maybe he'll just send you the blueprints.

[@0whistler0]

Where did you get the pricking iron?

[@ArmitageLeather]

From Joseph Dixon's in Birmingham UK www.josephdixon.co.uk/products/Saddlers_Tooling/Pricking_Irons.html?pmode=2

[@davidbassey4389]

Nice bag Sir!! please can I get your email address along with the pattern I would gladly appreciate

[@Coven_NjMaNy]

this project wasted too much leather, you already designed templates for it but can not save leather by unitize templates. but still good skill!