67tony 

I'd like to make a black saddle bag to clip behind my Brooks B67. Medium to small in size, not much wider than the saddle. I can punch holes, hand stitch, and figure out the attachments and closure. I will probably either create a template by looking at google images, or find find a pattern online.

Question is, what thickness should the leather be for this project?
I envision the shape being self-supporting, without stiff end caps or sides.

Trying to keep it simple, to match my leather-working experience!

Thanks in advance for any advice, or pics of your favorites.

Kilroy1988 

Use about 3-4 oz. leather and if you plan to have it made in a cylindrical shape or one where you want the sides or bottom to provide structural support, go up to 9-12 oz. for those parts (essentially saddle skirting). The circle side pieces on this design are thick and the rest of thin leather.

-Gregory

repechage

I would go with much thinner leather, machine stitch it and sew in a bone as a shape control.

gugie 

I remember someone using an old leather purse for donor material. Easily found at a thrift store.

squirtdad

that has a Corporal Klinger feel to it

Reynolds 

I made one using 3mm thick leather, turned out OK.

67tony 

Using Kilroy's suggestion of thicker end plugs, I might be able to construct this.
I'd use magnet closures, like these may be. Typical buckles take way too long to open and close.



Some designs use wood as end plugs...I may consider black walnut with black leather.

67tony 

This shape seems doable, also.
A better attachment system, and different closures, would be desired upgrades.

clubman 

Old hasps like this ~40's Lycett at the bottom are brilliant. A quick flip or twist and you're in.

The upper shot is a modern Roots bag. Both of these are likely fussy to install but they're proven to last.

pastorbobnlnh 

Here's the one I made a couple of weeks ago while home with Covid. The leather is goatskin and is between 1.5-2.5mm. However, I needed to sew in a thin dense foam stiffing panel. It offers a different design to consider.

BFisher

This one works great. The leather is .090" thick.

pastorbobnlnh 

Guilty as charged. https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...l#post20924487

gugie 

I was having difficulty searching for that, thanks for reposting!

etherhuffer 

For a barrel shaped bag, make sure the top flap overlaps the bottom well. My cheap nylon Banjo Bros nylon bag fails at this, stuff can rattle out. So using thin leather, think about something to reinforce it a little, especially if a single lockstrap

RustyJames 

If a purse is unacceptable as donor material you could butch it up using a leather jacket and a belt or two.

67tony 

Great thoughts and pics, everybody, thanks for sharing!

I don't mind buying the leather. That way I'll get the thickness I want, and in black.
I'll also overlap well, and have a good clasp...maybe like the twist one on the Roots bag above.

67tony 

Wow, the green and brown handmade leather bags, from the link Pastor Bob posted, using repurposed purses, are VERY cool.

squirtdad

super detail with the matching thread color