I had some random leather sitting around and decided that I needed a new shooting bag.
I ended up patterning the shape of it with a square salad plate from the kitchen that had a nice size and shape, cut out three pieces the same size for the front flap, back, and cut an inch and a quarter off the top of the piece for the front of the bag.
I measured the length of the three sides to be stitched together and cut out a gusset at an inch and a half wide. If I were to make another I would increase the size of the gusset from an inch and a half to two inches or so. As it turned out it is perfectly serviceable, but I could stand to have it just a touch roomier inside. I also cut out a five inch square for an interior pocket and two 6 inch by 1 and a quarter inch pieces for the straps on the back. I did this because I wanted to be able to use it as either a smallish shoulder bag or largish belt bag by removing the D rings and shoulder strap.
The next step was laying out the pieces and punching the holes for the stitching. I used black waxed thread and saddle stitched the straps to the back and the interior pocket to the inside of the front part of the bag. Then I saddle stitched the gusset to the back and the front to the gusset and back portion. Leaving the front flap to be attached to the top of the bag, this I did again with the old reliable saddle stitch. After the main of the bag was assembled I decided to use some white artificial sinew for some decoration and whip stitched around the top seam and the front seam just to give it a little reinforcement and contrast.
I need to touch up the dye on the edges of the strap, and will likely replace the D rings with some forged iron at some point in the future. I just wanted to assemble it with what I had to hand at the moment and think that it turned out pretty well.
