I just started making a bag, using your book, and I'm using a calfskin. the leather seems awfully thin and I'm wondering if I should have used something heavier. I'm planning to put a welt in the seams and a gusset so, I THINK it will hold together all right. At least I hope so!

I know this is a question for Mr albert, But I would suggest a fabric liining. It can be glued to the leather with casin glue. (Elmer's is casin glue.)

Nech

Or maybe use a thinned hide glue if you want to try something uber-strong and traditional. Titebond markets a ready to use liquid hide glue. Or you can purchase the dry version that you mix up yourself from woodworking outfits like Lee Valley. Good luck!

Or if you would rather NOT line, I bet it will hold together very well. Leathers as light as weight 2 are plenty sturdy for what we use shooting bags for, I believe. It will also be a very supple and flexible bag.

Those are just my opinions, and I am--naturally--not T. Albert.

Sparks

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sparks,

I'm sure calfskin would hold together just fine, but depending on the weight of the leather, it might stretch out of shape with use. I would suggest lining with a lightweight canvas (similar that used in tote bags). Cut and glue the lining to the pieces of your bag BEFORE sewing. This would provide structural strength, and will also be PC for materials. Just my humble opinion.

A good veg tan tooling calf skin should be ok, especially welted. You can also bind the raw edges with a strip of the same leather. One thing thats for sure, that leather has got to be a pure joy to work with, you will be spoiled from now on.

I wouldnt use the calf for the strap unless you have to, and in that case I might try to double it over.

If you can tell right off that its going to be thinner than you want, lining it as the others have suggested is always an option too. Sounds like this will be a great pouch.
TCA

Thanks Mr. Albert for the advice. I think I'll have to line it. I made the mistake of dying the two flap pieces before sewing them together and they curled up like a piece of bacon! The strap will be a woven one attached by a double thickness of the calfskin.

I know I'm sorta late to the party on this discussion but I've got a further question. A couple of you mention gluing the fabric lining to the leather. I'm in the beginning stages of making a pouch and bought blue striped pillow ticking for the liner. I just thought I'd sew the liner along with the leather pieces as I assemble the project. Is this NOT the way to do this? Do I take it that GLUING is the proper procedure to use when lining a pouch? BTW, I am using 4-5 oz. leather if that matters.

I'm not new to leather work, but I've never lined a pouch either...

you want to sew the lining in at the edges when you sew the pouch togeather but the glue helps to hold the liner on the leather while you assemble the pouch other wise it flops around and is a pain. I know it is not PC but I use 3m spray glue to hold my liners in place works great

I have made quite a few bags over the years. Using 3m spray is the way to go on your liner.I would stay away from any glue that drys stiff.
The thickness of the leather is a matter of personal preference.I like my bags to be a little stiff.I also prefer oil tanned leather.
Good luck
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