Tote Bag # 13 (Canvas/Leather tote bag)

 Tote Bag # 13 (Canvas/Leather tote bag)

          This project on tote bag is for grandson who have just started school and need a small tote bag to carry his exercise books, water bottle and tea time snack.

Started this project tote bag on 16th March.

Idea of trying to combine two different materials (canvas and leather) for this tote bag design . As both materials are good and have strong properties and durable. They each have their pro and con.

This project have some challenges for tote bag.

1. encounter some difficulty to stitch them and punch hole. It take longer time to stitch them together. As the fabric of canvas is soft and the edge will fray if not handle with care.

2. Canvas is flexible, soft material, hence when stitching item do be aware as it can run off  during the project. This to what I see when handling canvas, to other expert this should not pose a great challenge.

Share dimension for this project.. Use this as a guide to help with overall view of this project. You can try it out to match your own needs ..good luck.

* Note. this project selected two nylon rope of about 5 mm diameter. 

Note:- the bottom of pocket is sew such the slanted part of it edge does not cause issue on the bottom edge stitching.

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Use an old bag as template and estimate size of tote bag.

Height 25 cm, width 21 cm and depth 12 cm.

Decide to use canvas for front, bottom and back. While leather is use for handle and right and left side wall of tote bag.

** update on 22nd Sept 2021

Refer to drawing above on measurement for making pocket.

The bottom layer use a leather of 1.5 mm thickness and cut to size . On both side where the canvas seam fold over need leather edge to skive to reduce thickness. Use black sewing thread to hold bottom layer.

Original leather thickness is about 1.5 mm and skive the edge to about 1.0 mm thickness.

** update on 22nd Sept 2021

Next step after adding a bottom layer is get the inside pocket ready on tote bag.

Note the bottom part of the pocket is use machine to sew method. 

Take note all three side of the pocket have the seam folded and use machine to sew. 

Use a gage to verify diameter of rope use is about 5mm.

Ensure you use the actual sponge to wrap around both ropes to measure.

*Tips as the thickness of sponge have to take into account.

After confirm the width of sponge to cut to required width.

Next to prepare to glue both rope on to sponge surface.

It better to draw a center line on sponge to ensure it align the rope in correct position. 

Tips:- it better after cut rope with the end are heated with lighter. This is to help to prevent rope end from fraying.

** update on 22nd Sept 2021

Step to fabricate handle.

Apply glue to both rope and to center of sponge.

For the rope it better to have clip holding in position and apply glue.

Once the glue is about to set align the rope to sponge surface.

 Once both rope are done, next is to apply glue to the sponge expose edge and on rope surface. Wrap sponge over rope

Use clips to hold sponge in position as the glue take time to harden 

On the leather strip place the sponge/rope in position to allow marking punch hole.

It is better to pre punch holes on one of edge of leather. It is ensure the punch hole are neat clean and center. it is easier to punch hole on thin leather.

Tips:- to better align both edge of the punch hole will recommend this way. 1) Pre punch hole (first set) to one side of the leather edge. Once it done, use a minimum glue both edge of leather and fold to match the edge. 2) Proceed to punch hole for the second edge using the first set of punch hole as a guide. 3) once the punch hole is complete, unfold the two edge.

To cover the expose rope end cut a small leather size to overlap the sponge, it recommend to skive the edge of small leather that meet the rope end, this way the it is not too thick. Need to punch hole once the small leather is cured. As the stitch hole is covered up, punch hole to allow thread will pass thru.

Tips: It better to clean your scapula blade clean, use a small scrap leather to rub off the excess glue from edge.

This is to show how to fabricate a handle for tote bag.

It pre-punch hole on the leather layer edge, this way it easier to glue both canvas and leather to punch hole.

However notice it easier if the first needle is insert from the canvas layer. If the hole is insufficient it good idea to use an awl #3 to clear the hole.

Do take close look how the corner leather material is folded. This will make the corner rounded after reverse flip over the bag.

** update on 22nd Sept 2021

Tote bag to carry student's books, tea time snack container and water bottle.

Or use to store his art work items.

** update on 22nd Sept 2021

This how the bag is use for carrying items of needs.

1. Carry in this position.

2. Carry on shoulder position

** update on 22nd Sept 2021

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