Making Leather Pouches

[Realbark]

Im interested in making my own leather storage pouches for cook kit and as general storage. I have a rough idea (and i mean rough) of how to start but have found no info on doing so. Anyone any links or practical advice?

[CanadianMike]

Get leather big enough, cut out and stitch up......? There are a few threads on here regarding leather working, but for designs around, maybe search google images and start stockpiling ideas? Is what I do for when I want ideas for cool leather sheath designs and such.

[leon-1]

Hi Realbark, go for leather that's 1mm or so in thickness (2 - 3 ounce), because it's a light leather use a finer thread, something like 25/3 if you are using linen. Idealy stitch 7 stitches to an inch (the lighter the leather the lighter the thread and the more stitches to an inch). You're gonna need an awl (plain round will do the job), some saddler / harness needles, a rotating punch or plain old punches for leather and possibly an overstitch wheel to mark where you're going to stitch. The line of stitching should be 3 - 5mm in from the edge to prevent the thread being pulled through. I would also suggest prior to stitching and marking actually glueing the edges together with either a contact adhesive or superglue.

The simplest design is cutting out 2 U's of leather, punch an equal amount of holes in the top of each side for a drawstring. Lay the U's back to back, glue the edges, then mark with the overstitch wheel, punch with the awl (you could use a fine nail or very large sharpened needle for this) and then stitch with the saddlers needles. When you have finished stitching turn bag inside out and thread with a lace or string or a leather thong as a drawcord.

Offcuts of upholstery leather are quite good for this kind of thing and would probably save you money.

[Celt_Ginger]

Check out the "Skill sets and photos" section of our website for a step by step picture run through of how to make a leather pouch.
www.bushcraftni.com

[Aaron Rushton]

some great pics there celt! really enjoyed the site.

[Realbark]

Thanks all - given me some more of an idea what to do.

[Celt_Ginger]

some great pics there celt! really enjoyed the site.

Thanks Aaron. We are adding to it all the time.

[Martin]

Great site there CG. Keep up the good work. :)

Martin

[Celt_Ginger]

Great site there CG. Keep up the good work. :)

Martin
Thanks Martin. We put most of our content on our blog, but keep the website for more in depth articles. Currently we are working on establishing a wild plant photo library. It's a work in progress. Paul is the one who does all of the web work. All I do is take the photos and contribute some of the articles lol.

[Fletching]

Hi Guys,

I just made a pouch/bag for my hobo stove using some veg tanned deerskin, so I thought I'd post the process in photos in case anybody's looking to do the same thing.

First, I measured the height (plus some) and circumference of my hobo, shown here on the left:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5356614833_f65bdf1828.jpg

Then I marked-out my dimensions on the back of my deerskin:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5381868225_446711b832.jpg

I then measured-out and punched holes for the drawstring (I'll be using a strip of the same leather wetted and then rolled):

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5084/5381866845_906ef6ae15.jpg

I marked with a stitching spacer and made holes with an awl around the sides to be sewed (including the circular bottom section):

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5127/5381867889_b717064ae0.jpg

I stitched the vertical wall section into a tube:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5381867645_bcafcbe948.jpg

Then joined this to the circular bottom section:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5290/5381867789_9f12ecfc4c.jpg

Then used some more waxed thread to put some detail stitching on the top:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5382472428_f31981fd72.jpg

...and here's the finished bag with the hobo inside:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5166/5381867513_d8b720ab5a.jpg

Hope you like it!

Steve

[Realbark]

Excellent bag. Very interesting step by step post - cheers. What sort of needle did you use?

[Fletching]

Excellent bag. Very interesting step by step post - cheers. What sort of needle did you use?

Erm, not sure exactly what type it is as this one came with my leatherworking kit. It's big and not sharp which is important as it's intended to go through pre-awled holes and not make its own holes.

[Realbark]

I took a flyer and ordered No3 harness leather needles and an awl along with some 1mm and 2mm waxed cotton thread/string. Ive got a couple of old jackets to play with when the tools arrive. I didnt order a stitching spacer - do i need one or is it just aesthetically pleasing re spacing or does it give the bag strength with even spacing (and it was £17.00).

[Fletching]

Personally, I think the stitching spacer is indispensable. For me, it ensures that the holes I make with the awl match on all the pieces I'll be joining together. It's more than an aesthetic detail.

I'm pretty sure you'll find a cheaper one on ebay (try the US site).

[CanadianMike]

Here's one I just started to make to hold a ziploc bag full of premixed bannock ingredients (just add water), about 5.5" diameter to deal with sewing, 8" high and 16" long piece. Is thin supple sheepskin I bought today, this should go quick. Oh, my new tool in the pic is a 4x leather punch, spaced 1/4" apart. Am such a lazy bugger! :)

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181601_10150102167059207_510619206_6041013_6849210 _n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180616_10150102174644207_510619206_6041087_3323829 _n.jpg

[leon-1]

Ive got a couple of old jackets to play with when the tools arrive. I didnt order a stitching spacer - do i need one or is it just aesthetically pleasing re spacing or does it give the bag strength with even spacing (and it was £17.00).

Stitch spacing is quite important, too few holes with a lite threadcould mean your thread pulling through the bag. The eveness of the stitching works towards strength and aesthetics.

There are a couple of things meant for stitch spacing, the first is a pricking wheel, the second is a pricking iron. Both are quite expensive, an alternative would be to use an over stitch wheel. Not quite as accurate, but they do quite a good job.


Here's one I just started to make to hold a ziploc bag full of premixed bannock ingredients (just add water), about 5.5" diameter to deal with sewing, 8" high and 16" long piece. Is thin supple sheepskin I bought today, this should go quick. Oh, my new tool in the pic is a 4x leather punch, spaced 1/4" apart. Am such a lazy bugger! :)

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/181601_10150102167059207_510619206_6041013_6849210 _n.jpg

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180616_10150102174644207_510619206_6041087_3323829 _n.jpg

Hey Mike, that looks like a lacing or thonging iron or punch, are the teeth set at an angle or straight?

[CanadianMike]

They are actually replacable hole punches. :) Just found it today while at the Tandy store, looked perfect for use on the thin sheepskin I had in my hand at the time. Pulled each one out, put in my drill at work and spun the edge on a diamond stone to sharpen up. Doesn't take much pressure to cut now.