Sketchbag Complete!

The guts.

Ahem.


In case you couldn't tell but the very over the top title image, my sketching bag is done and looking pretty damned spiffy if I do say so myself.  It's rivets are shining, the pleather is only slightly grimy already, and the little pencil pockets are bristling with freshly sharpened utensils of destruction.  To top it all off, my zipped passport pocket is pristine.  I. am. smug.  HA!

Alright, it isn't perfect.  There's a couple of spots where the top stitching veered dangerously off track and need a redo, and the reinforcing stitching at the top back is definitely not a rectangle.  In fact, it could quite definitely be called... lumpy.  (Interestingly enough, you will not be seeing a picture of these things.)

Beauty incarnate.

But! I designed and drafted this thing from scratch.  There are only four pattern pieces, all the largest rectangles possible which was done with waste hierarchy in mind.  I don't know if it's a crafting thing, but I sometimes spend a ridiculous amount of time thinking about how to fix something I've made when it inevitably breaks/wears out in the future.  Not so much clothing I suppose, since that tends to wear out in the middle of a piece of cloth and not at the edges (holes in heels of socks anyone?  scraped and ripped knees?), but definitely for other useable items.  I spent all this time making it and I want it to last forever after all.  I have memories of my parents bringing home expired sutures and fixing the holes in the bottom of my worn out backpack when I was little.  It wasn't that we couldn't afford a new bag, but the rest of it was fine so why throw it out?

Anyway, this bag is exactly what I wanted, works better than I could have hoped and I've already stunned a few of my co-workers and Joe-the-sewingmachine-guy with the fact that I made it.  I really do think it's the hardware more so than my epic skill to tell you the truth, but that can stay between you and me.

In the process, I learned a few things about setting rivets the low-tech way through trial and error.  I think it may be helpful to some of you, dear readers, so I think I will put together a post on that in the next week or two.  I also have an idea for a really simple matching water bottle holder that clips on to go with this, so I guess we'll see how that turns out in the next little while too.

 

 

Artist's Sketch Bag - Design and Plans

 

This, dear readers, is a 6 year old project which has gotten a lot of use.  It's a pieced sketching bag made specifically to fit a small sketchbook with pockets for different sized pens, pencils, markers and erasers.  I designed it specifically for an extended trip abroad and it has gotten plenty of use since then.  I'm surprised how long and how well it has survived given its extremely poor construction.  However, it recently started to get holes, and given that I'm going to be making another significant overseas trip in the fall, I decided to make an updated, more useful, more adult version.

I'm using bottom weight cotton in a dark grey for the body of the bag, lined with what looks like a linen/cotton/poly blend.  The front flap is a lipstick red faux leather which will also be lined.  The hardware is gold tone and all straps are red cotton webbing.  The 4" black elastic will be used to make drawing utensil pocket band.  The bag will be convertible between a purse/messenger bag and a backpack by using clip on straps.  I'm super excited to try using rivets in the project!  I think it will make a big difference in making the bag look professional and sharp.  That and you'll never have to convince me that a hammer and anvil are a good idea.  Smashing things is so much fun!  On the other hand, doing a good job on the top stitching will be important.  I only get once chance on the false leather... *gulp*...

This is sized specifically to be able to pass as a cleanly designed large purse, hence the convertible nature (I would make it pretty anyway!).  A lot of museums won't let you take backpacks into the galleries due to space/security considerations, though most will allow purses.  I also plan to include a passport, money and document pocket on the back where it will be very difficult to pickpocket

Enough talk- gotta get back to sewing.