From Paper to Product

How we handcraft our one of a kind bags

Pencil to paper, that’s how it starts. Wether from a wild idea I had or inspiration from a vintage piece, I always start with a product sketch. As the graphite hits the paper, the idea flows from my mind to the sketch pad. This is one of my favorite parts of the process, where anything and everything is possible. The smell of the pencil, the graphite rub-off on my hand, the texture of the paper, the lines, curves, and details of the idea, all of it comes together in a magical experience. 

Once we have our sketch, it is time to make a pattern. We have standard patterns for certain types of bags, called master patterns, but often times we are crafting something new, and therefore require a fresh pattern. Time to put that high school math to the test… Ruler in hand, a fine point pen, and plastic sheeting for our pattern, we begin. Typically I will take different construction methods from standard types of bags to create my new bag pattern. Square bottoms from a tote bag, zipper assembly from the big dopp, trunk handles from a briefcase, dimensions from a weekender duffel, and voila! We have ourselves a duffel bag inspired by vintage pieces from the 1930’s thru the 1950’s. 

Pattern in hand, we must choose the correct leather. This is the most crucial part of the process. Get the material choice wrong, and I will face copious amounts of issues later down the line. We go for a conservative, yet reliable choice: A beautiful 5-6 oz chestnut brown vegetable tanned leather. We line it with a muted blue 2-3 oz suede. We add a bag stiffener in between; painters canvas with a light coat of acrylic, which will add much needed rigidity without adding any weight or thickness.

Once we have the body of our bag, it’s time for the hardware. For a zipper, I go with my favorite; Solid Brass YKK #10. Large, durable, reliable, and beautiful. Sticking with the vintage inspiration, we use trunk corners to add some hardware to the bottom, and a beautiful trunk lock to go over the zipper.

Now our brand new, one of kind bag is done, and ready to be sent off to her forever home… to you.