Antique bag on blog

[bgf]

I really like this one:
http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2013/01/antique-hunting-pouch-and-powder-horn.html

I have been thinking about one like this for a long time -- must have been millions of them at one point, but my stitching practice is still practice before I get to "crude" .  Does anyone contemporary make something similar?

[T.C.Albert]

Yes...several contemporary pouch makers come to mind...
I agree, that is a neat looking old set...
TC

[pathfinder]

I'm not sure I understand what your asking. That is a very simple one piece bag with the strap stitched onto the back. Side's are a simple lace up. I can cut out the pouch,punch the holes for the lace,cut the lace and find some type of fabric strap for ya. Cheap,if you'd like. P/m if interested.

[Habu]

Back when Grant's Kentucky Rifle Hunting Pouch came out, I made several bags along these lines.  We used to joke they were from my "Appalachian Trash" series.  One friend said, "Just you wait, someday everyone is going to want one of these!"  

I wish he were still around.  I don't think even he would believe how the ML world has changed, but we'd have a lot of fun laughing about it all.    He used to say that by 2010 everyone will have given up on flinters, and returned to the most reliable ignition source: matchlocks!

[bgf]

Guys,
Thanks for the responses.  The vagueness of the question was probably because I'm pretty ignorant about this stuff and don't know what to ask.  I hadn't seen a bag made like this anywhere, although I had thought of doing one that way and wondered why I never saw anything like that at shows (guess I need some more books).  I actually like the simple no frills construction and was hoping other people had made some like this and would show some pictures.  I am still thinking about trying to make one, though I fear "Appalachian Trash" would be right by the time I got finished with it !

[Habu]

BGF, the "Appalachian trash" joke wasn't directed at anyone's work; more a comment on our absolute befuddlement at what people want at various times.  We could understand copying the various features of a regional style or bags made at a particular period of time, but making a copy that was representative of the current state of a bag left to rot in a barn for 50 years or more was just beyond us.  Neither of us could believe it when the copies I made sold.  We never imagined some of the things that are in demand today. . . .

As Pathfinder wrote, that is a very simple bag--about as simple as a bag can be.  The basic pattern for that bag is like an envelope with the sides cut, then laced up with a running stitch.  (I wonder if the maker set the flap off-center to allow easier access to the contents?  From the horn attachment, it seems he was right handed.)

You could make one and be sure that it would turn out usable no matter how inexperienced you might be.  If you are unsure how to start, take Pathfinder up on his offer.   (I wish I'd had an offer like that when I started, my first two bags were unusable, and the third wasn't much better!)

[pathfinder]

Yeah Habu,we are loosing our treasure's! Curly said basically the same about trade gun's I have one of his VERY early one's that by today's standards wouldn't even be allowed on a  table to be judged! He sure "glowed" when I picked it up from him! It is a rather "crude" piece,just like the original's

And bgf,pick up Jim Webb's book on Appalachian bags and horn's.you'll see just how simple you can get! Today's bag's need lining,welted and bound edges,multiple pocket's,provition for all type's of do-dads on the multi adjustable strap! My simple cheap bag's cant find homes!

[T.C.Albert]

Though homespun low tech stuff can be straight forward, all together I don't think this bag was as simple to do for its maker as it looks. To me the leather looks home tanned. If that's so, it adds a different dimension to this deceivingly easy project.     
tc

[James Rogers]

I see the construction as being a far cry from rocket science. If however, the element of aging (with retention of usability) as well as correct tannage (as Mr. Albert brings up), the project takes on another facet.
For this style and those added artistic features of a believable original, Jeff Bibb comes to mind as I seem to remember one he did very much like this. MaryEllen Pratt's work would also be an option.

[T*O*F]

I notice the bag strap.  If you want to try for a homespun look that's different, find an old flour sack.  They often had colored stripes woven into them.  Decide how wide you want your strap and then cut 1/2 that distance on either side of the stripe.  With needles on both ends of your thread, sew it up with an X stitch so the strip is inside.  You will end up with a tube that's the desired width when flat.  Now shove a coat hanger down thru it, attach it at one end, and turn the tube inside out.  With the strip side up, pound the seam flat with a piece of board and a hammer.

These old flour sacks have multiple uses.  I once made a hunting shirt from 4 of them.  It had the striping on the front and down either sleeve.  Also made small bags for carrying my coffee, yellow peas, and jerky in when trekking.

[pathfinder]

You also have to remember that  tanning was as common to the folk's back then as putting gas in our car is to us. The modern textile industry killed the need to tan. What we concider a skill today was everyday then.  We are spoiled!

[bgf]

Thanks, everybody.  I think I'm going to try it.  I already have some leather and lacing, probably not exactly the right kind, but good enough to try the idea and not risk too much on my abilities.  The strap looks like small girth strap to me, if I can dig up something similar; also, I like TOF's idea of folding a strap out of cloth (flour sack if I can find one!).

[Habu]

FWIW, a lot of older pieces that were "laced" or "sewn" (sometimes it is hard to tell how to describe it) with a strip of leather appear to have been done with strips cut from the same piece the body of the item was made from.  Doing that might save you from any concern about having the right lacing . . . .

[Cannonball]

I've made several quivers and have done everything from whip stitching to sewing with sinew that's not the problem for me, my question is how do you sew a woven belt or strap to the bag without it freying? I use inkle woven straps (.75" wide) as garters in my medieval reenactment garb and I have to tie the ends in knots (repeatedly) to keep from coming loose.

I'd like to make my own bag since I can change it to suit as I grow in the sport/hobby.

[Clark Badgett]

I've made several quivers and have done everything from whip stitching to sewing with sinew that's not the problem for me, my question is how do you sew a woven belt or strap to the bag without it freying? I use inkle woven straps (.75" wide) as garters in my medieval reenactment garb and I have to tie the ends in knots (repeatedly) to keep from coming loose.

I'd like to make my own bag since I can change it to suit as I grow in the sport/hobby.

Blanket stitch or buttonhole stitch. Or you could fold the end over and fell it to the strap and sew the exposed edge against the bag, which would be the most secure method.

[Cannonball]

I also saw the use of leather to encapsulate the open end along with a metal ring that's attached back at the back. Thanks...