Sunday, January 08, 2012

From 80's leather jacket to twenty-twelve bag

I've never made a leather bag before but, when I saw this jacket at the Salvation Army for four bucks, I knew I had to give it a try.
I looked at this project as an experiment. I wasn't sure if my machine would sew on leather, but I went ahead and bought some leather needles 110/18 and just started cutting.
I cut 4 pieces, 7 inches x 13 inches and one piece 13 inches by 19 inches.
My friend gave the skirt you saw in the first picture. I was going to use that for the lining, but when I tried it on, I saw there was potential for a refashioned skirt so I switched and used some IKEA fabric I had left over from a curtain project for the lining. (You might see the skirt in a future post).
The bag handles were made from 25 cent thrift store belts.
FRONT BACK
A few details- The silver pin came in the basket from my friend Mari that I posted in December.
The IKEA fabric I used for the lining.
I'll definitely be watching for more leather thrift store coats in the future. This was so much fun to make. Now I'm off to refashion that leopard print skirt so I have an outfit to wear with my new leather bag. :) There are more refashions on Chic Envelopements for you to check out.
Thanks!
Beth

11 comments:

Kate said...

Well done!

willywagtail said...

Really good. Thanks for sharing the needle size. I keep an eye out for seconhand belts so I can re-use the heavy buckles in my bags. I am always scared that sewing across the belts for handles will weaken the leather but I guess that is me being over-reactional(?). Cherrie

J said...

I love it!

vintagevogue said...

This looks great! Was your sewing maching actually able to sew through leather belts?

The Renegade Seamstress said...

Thanks, yes, I was able to sew through the belts but they were woven leather, so I went over them slowly and had to hand turn my machine a bit.

Wendy, R.N. said...

That is awesome!

W. :)

Jim Thomson said...

Ultimo Fashions - your one stop destination for purchasing high quality leather jackets and leather accessories for men, women and kids. Superman Smallville Jacket

Jim Thomson said...

Thanks for the post!!


Ultimo Fashions - your one stop destination for purchasing high quality leather jackets and leather accessories for men, women and kids. Superman Smallville Jacket

Bootzey said...

This is a great idea especially since purse manufacturers aren't making leather bags like they used to

La La Lauren!!! said...

This is fabulous! Great job!

LaLaLauren
Editor on Duty

Anonymous said...

WOW! I am so impressed!