two bags from reclaimed leather

Added Jun 3, 2009

by lauriana

Den Haag, Nether...

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Description

I found a pair of trousers in a very small men’s size at a thriftshop. They were made from beautiful soft golden brown leather. At first, I entertained some thoughts about making them fit me, but the shaping at the hip and waist was just too far off. So I decided to make bags. Both have zipper closures and linings. The smaller one has two deep pleats on each side at the top, the large one has small tucks along the bottom. Neither is really symmetrical because I cut the shapes directly from the trouser legs and top which were wider at the back. The topstitched seams you see were the seems of the original garment. The smaller bag uses an old belt my grandmother gave me as a shoulder strap. With these bags finished, all that’s left over from the trousers are the zipper and lining and some tiny scraps of leather.

Material Notes

thrifted leather trousers, old belt, zippers, D-rings, rivets, cotton for lining

Categories

9 Comments

  • Sith_sleeveless_wool_coat_by_urbandon_4_-_copy_large

    Mar 3, 2011, 09.38 AMby urbandon

    Now that is just pure brilliance.

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    Aug 30, 2009, 10.14 PMby loyl8

    AWESOME!!!!! I love them and even more that they are repurposed pants. I would like to try reusing some leather but Im not sure if my machine could handle it, I have the proper needles, but who knows we will see. Great job!!

  • 011109_012-2_large

    Jun 7, 2009, 02.16 PMby evette

    Great bag, I never thought of trying to find leather to use in a thrift shop but now i’m on the look out :)

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    Jun 4, 2009, 05.58 AMby miss-g

    Seriously good bags. I really like the pleats on the smaller bag.

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    Jun 3, 2009, 03.23 PMby ginasophia

    How Wonderful! and very clever and economical with the leather using all of it! bravo

  • Snc15550_large

    Jun 3, 2009, 02.31 PMby fairytale-thirteen

    TOTALLY ADORABLE BAGS – WOW GREAT SEWING. THANKS FOR THE TIPS, I MITE DARE TO HAVE A GO NOW I HAVE SEEN YOUR FANTASTIC RESULTS – A GIRL CAN NEVER HAVE TO MANY LEATHER BAGS!!

  • 9042c0bf5223511d5cc13e721fdeef21914bb56c_large

    Jun 3, 2009, 01.09 PMby lauriana

    To answer some of your questions, ralarkins, I used a home sewing machine making these. You need a leather needle and you may have to use tissue paper under or on top of the piece of leather you want to sew, or both (this is needed when the leather sticks to the feeding dogs or the presser foot, try sewing a scrap first). ‘clothing leather’ can be stitched on most home sewing machines, furniture leather and the heavy duty clothing leather used for protective motorcycle jackets and trousers usually requires an industrial strength machine. As for finding leather items in thrift stores: leather is very durable, so leather clothes often outlive other items. Because of that, a lot of thrift stores have a rail filled with leather skirts and trousers in outdated styles.

  • Rose1_large

    Jun 3, 2009, 10.27 AMby ralarkins

    So COOL! Were you able to use a home sewing machine to stitch the leather? With a leather needle? I have never looked for leather pants in Thrift stores, is leather clothing common? Way too many questions are just flying through my head right now. Great Job on the bags. You definitely always come up with good looking creations.

  • 7ad546f809272746851926b7f874e579e93800b4_large

    Jun 3, 2009, 10.01 AMby susisonne

    Wow, you made two beautiful bags! Never thought that this have been trousers before. Great!

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