I did not leave my crochet bag all summer, but when autumn has finally settled in recent weeks, I had to resign myself: I needed a new bag, more winter-like this one. And for once, I did not have to dig my head for a long time: I had a very precise idea for more than a year!

If there is indeed a bag that makes me dream, it’s the Satchel from The Cambridge Satchel Company. Regularly I drool on their site, fill virtual baskets that I never validate … and sometimes pick up some inspiration. If I do not yet feel able to make a copy of their famous satchels, I really liked their collection of “Cloud Bags”, and their scalloped bags. Would it be a great inspiration !

With all that, I realize that I did not even tell you that I had changed my sewing machine. And yes ! Roberta has given way to Heidi, better known as Bernina 350. Right now we are in the running-in period, and I was eager to test his ability to sew leather.

Before drafting anything, I had to first find the leather: as it come in random sizes, the dimensions of these will give the size of my final bag. Travelling in the French Alps, I had crossed a tanner who had advised me the store “Varjan” on Marseille. I went there and indeed, visiting the store is worth it: lots of leather, good quality, at a reasonable price.

I was searching for black leather, because I have handles made in black imitation. But I crossed the road of this navy leather, and bim, love at first sight.

Sufficiently flexible to be worked on a domestic sewing machine, but of good quality so that the bag keeps a nice outfit, I liked to sew it. With a leather needle and its saddle stitch (triple stitching), Heidi rather well raised the challenge … finally, almost. She just tinkled on the handles.

It was impossible to fold and sew the ends of the handles, the result was ugly and cut with the rest of the bag whose rendering was rather clean. But thank God, I had 2 angels on this one. 😉 First Sacôtin and its super tip of the strap ends: the result is ultra clean, and the putting in very simple! And then Julie of the blog Damn Good Caramel, who realizes incredible leather work and gave me the idea of the rivets to fill the handles: here too the putting in is simple, and the result is much cleaner than an approximate seam . I carried the bag yesterday all day and the whole is resistant, I’m happy!

So, yes, I used a buckle of adjustable handles while my handle is not at all. : D I did not have enough leather to cut a 1m loop, so I cut 2 handles and assembled everything with this buckle found in my stash. : D

The lining is a fabric that I bought years ago at la Plaine market : a mysterious composition, with an awful drape and an unpleasant smell when I iron it, I think it’s probably the worst purchase I ever did. : D But for a bag’s lining it’s ok.

Always with my small zipped pocket inside. 😉 For the closing system, I tested for the first time the installation of a twist lock: the putting in here too is very easy, and the result is very clean.

One might think that I sewed piping on the edge of the flap, but not at all. The effect was not intended, but I find the result rather pretty. ;

Verdict: I am pleased with this bag, especially its dimensions: if the width and the length of last year one balanced rather well, the bottom was too small. As a result, the whole was really small for my daily life. This one really has the right size: the bottom is therefore 8 cms wide, and the bag 31x25cms. The only downside to me is the soft flap: next time I will think about adding a lining between the two layers before assembling it on the back of the bag.

And I already have my idea for next summer! 😉 I wish you a nice weekend, take care. ❤