Making a Shooting Bag: Questions

[Okurok]

I'm trying to build a shooting bag from T.C. Alberts "Recreating the 18th Century Hunting Pouch" book. Specifically the Tennessee Rifle Bag. I'm experiencing a bit of confusion on how it stitches together. I'm including a picture of the patterns. For some reason it's not clear to me how the inside flap is supposed to go. Does it stitch to the back body as a reinforcement? Are the dashes stitching marks? Then whys is it just on the bottom edges of the front flap but not on top. I assumed by the picture of the finished bag in the book that that probably represents the leather stitched around the edge to finish it. Maybe someone can enlighten me.

 

[Notchy Bob]

I'm sorry I can't help with the question. However, Mr. Albert probably could. His contact information is on the CLA Artisans listing, right here: T.C. Albert

I think he also posts regularly on the ALR forum. If you have joined that forum, you could probably contact him there.

I have not seen the book. Does it have step-by-step instructions for each pouch shown?

Good luck with your pouch!

Notchy Bob

 

[Okurok]

It has step by step instructions for one type of bag. This one ain't it. I'm on the ALR forum. I'll ask him there. Thanks.

 

[simonbeans]

Is there a picture or drawing of the completed pouch?

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

I'm trying to build a shooting bag from T.C. Alberts "Recreating the 18th Century Hunting Pouch" book. Specifically the Tennessee Rifle Bag. I'm experiencing a bit of confusion on how it stitches together. I'm including a picture of the patterns. For some reason it's not clear to me how the inside flap is supposed to go. Does it stitch to the back body as a reinforcement? Are the dashes stitching marks? Then whys is it just on the bottom edges of the front flap but not on top. I assumed by the picture of the finished bag in the book that that probably represents the leather stitched around the edge to finish it. Maybe someone can enlighten me.

View attachment 101675

The front flap is a continuation of the back of the bag, thus no connection at that point. (one piece) It looks to me that the inside pocket goes just like you are thinking, against the back. Yes, the dashes are stitches!
You need to show this to the boys when it is done.
Larry

 

[Okurok]

 

[appalichian hunter]

Looks too me like the inside flap would stich too the inside of the back of the pouch as a over cover too help protect the front pocket along with the flap from the back, kind of like a insurance policy too help keep the inside protected from rain or woods debris.

 

[Okurok]

I don't know when my messages will be able to be seen. For some reason for the last while, when I post in a thread I get the following notification above my post.

This message is awaiting moderator approval, and is invisible to normal visitors.

Very irritating. It appears that I can't even pm a moderator until something happens.

 

[Kabulrocks]

I'm trying to build a shooting bag from T.C. Alberts "Recreating the 18th Century Hunting Pouch" book. Specifically the Tennessee Rifle Bag. I'm experiencing a bit of confusion on how it stitches together. I'm including a picture of the patterns. For some reason it's not clear to me how the inside flap is supposed to go. Does it stitch to the back body as a reinforcement? Are the dashes stitching marks? Then whys is it just on the bottom edges of the front flap but not on top. I assumed by the picture of the finished bag in the book that that probably represents the leather stitched around the edge to finish it. Maybe someone can enlighten me.

View attachment 101675

I just ordered this book, and the book Recreating the 18th Century Powderhorn yesterday, so yes, please post pictures of your finished pouch.

 

[iloco]

I think you have the front flap turned around. There is not enough contact with the back of the bag.
Hope that is not to confusing.

 

[andy52]

I've made many bags and in my opinion, that's a pretty confusing pattern.

 

[Okurok]

I think you have the front flap turned around. There is not enough contact with the back of the bag.
Hope that is not to confusing.

I am inclined to think that the front flap is sewn on like this even tho there isn't stitch marks along the top. I would say that the back body, the inside flap, and front body would be stitched together first, not sewing along the top edge, (like the second photo) then front flap sewn on along the top.

 

[Okurok]

I enlarged the picture of the pouch and you can see then where it is stitched along the top flap. I think the hash marks around the bottom of the front flaps represents a piece of leather sewn on for reinforcement.

 

[sawyer04]

I've made many bags and in my opinion, that's a pretty confusing pattern.

Took this to a neighbor that has done leathercraft for his life and he stated the same. His comment, "it's got to be so simple I can't see it. He is going to make one off the pattern when he gets caught up. Anxious to see how he does the stitching also. I am sure it makes a great bag, it just looks a little busy to me.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I bought a copy of that book several years ago. I was going through chemo therapy at the time…. I found the book very confusing in parts. Now that I’m off the goofball chemo, I still find parts of the book confusing. Now it just sits in a stack of other books. Maybe I’ll open it and give it another look.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Hi,
This is a flat sewn bag. Sew the back to the front (sew the pocket in first if you chose that option), then put on the inside flap with the outside flap directly over it and stitch them to the rear of the bag across the top. You can see that both flaps have the same shape as the top of the rear portion of the body.

 

[PhDBrewer]

If you have not cut out the pieces yet and you have a large enough piece, I would turn match the top pattern with the back pattern and cut them as one piece eliminating the sewed seam.


"Opinions are like arm pits, everybody has 'em and some of them stink!"

~William

 

[Artificer]

Inside flaps were somewhat common on Cartridge Pouches in the 18th century and even more common and sometimes more elaborate in the 19th century with sewn in side edge pieces. They are often known today as "rain flaps," though I don't know how far back that terminology goes.

The pic below is of a repro 18th century cartridge (more commonly called a "cartouche") pouch with an interior flap on it and shows it is NOT sewn around the bottom so it can work properly. It does have a slit for what looks like a leather button to keep it closed and keep the contents more secure, when one isn't actively getting in and out of the pouch. The outer flap has a tab with a slit sewn inside on the outer flap and the leather (or possibly cord) button keeps the outer flap down when not in use to get things out of the pouch. Of course either or both buttons could have been metal buttons as well.

I have always said such "Military Features" could have been used on civilian pouches and it seems Albert's "Tennessee Rifle Pouch Pattern" bears it out. My GUESS is the pattern is wrong and should only show stitching around the top of the inside flap, as in the above example.


Gus

 

[smo]

I think the inside flap has too sew down with the outer flap as Capt James says…

Those are nice little bags when completed…
It would hurt to make the pattern an inch or so larger too accommodate larger paws…

I know HC bags were small, but so were most of those Guys paws.

 

[smo]

If I’m not mistaken this is the bag in question made from Mr Alberts book pattern…

Thinking back, I may have sewn this one together then inverted it prior too sewing on the flaps along the top edge…