Spider Bag

[gizamo]

I am going to attempt a Pennsylvania Spider bag.  Before I have to reinvent the wheel, ...what is the best way to pattern the leather flap?...

[RoaringBull]

The way I do it...I make a pattern on paper that I want to use, get all the bugs worked out so to speak. (no pun on the spider thing!)

Then I wet the leather to be patterned...not real wet but a little more than damp. I lay the paper over the leather and using an old mechanical pencil that the lead is used up in, I trace the pattern with some pressure on paper. Remove the paper and work on any areas that need extra detail...

Here is my spider web bag...

[gizamo]

Thanks for the tip, think I'll give it a try on some scrap leather for practice.  Good looking bag, well proportioned, and the hinged flap with the web really sets it off.  Been thinking of copyi.g the spider bag in Madison Grants book, be fun basing it on a original.

[blackdave]

I generally use Fieblings leather dye on the leather and while it is still wet, I use a common 16p nail and run my design into the wet leather.  The results are like the old patterned leather.  I generally follow up with a light coat of neatsfoot oil when everything is dry and buff.  My methods may differ from some others, but try it on a piece of scrap leather first.

Your humble servant

Dave

[R.I.J.]

Steve, I use drafting mylar for patterns on damp (cased) leather you can see thru it to check your alignment and its reusable. I also use a stylis to minimize punctures. Hint if you do your tooling prior to cutting the leather to final shape you will eliminate the chance of streching it out of shape, dont bother to ask how I know that.

[gizamo]

This has to be Dick...  Welcome to the forum! 

You know me....everything has to be freehand, including the bag design.

[jgr1974]

That looks great!