Restoring And Customising A Briefcase

[Tadeusz]

Wow! This thread is filled with such fantastic pictures of even more fantastic work! It makes me wish I had taken a sewing class somewhere along the line!

 

Comparing the original case to the one shown in the most current pictures is like comparing night to day! Bravo, my63, bravo!!

[my63]

Hi Skyppere

Thanks for taking the time to post I used Saddle soap to clean the bag then reconditioned the case with mink oil followed by carnauba wax polish.

As this bag is a restoration project I had cut away the old thread but the old holes were still visible I used an awl to make a new hole through the suede lining.

 

here are three of my awls I cant seem to find the forth one at this time it has a much shorter blade the blades are diamond shaped and only the 1st cm is sharp the rest of the awl is highly polished.

IMG_8806 by my0771, on Flickr

 

If I was making a new bag the stitches would be marked out with a pricking iron or a stitch marking wheel, then the actual hole would be made with an awl.

 

Tadeusz I have to say I have never taken a sewing class either I learnt how to sew from watching Nigel Armitage videos on youtube.

[my63]

My original intention was to complete this bag and move on however I have enjoyed the process so much and as I have been unwell recently and a have spent a lot of time searching the internet for suitable projects these are both on their way to me now. I also have my eye on a third bag

 

pendragon bag by my0771, on Flickr

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141435936296

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Skyppere]

Hi Skyppere

Thanks for taking the time to post I used Saddle soap to clean the bag then reconditioned the case with mink oil followed by carnauba wax polish.

As this bag is a restoration project I had cut away the old thread but the old holes were still visible I used an awl to make a new hole through the suede lining.

 

here are three of my awls I cant seem to find the forth one at this time it has a much shorter blade the blades are diamond shaped and only the 1st cm is sharp the rest of the awl is highly polished.

IMG_8806 by my0771, on Flickr

 

If I was making a new bag the stitches would be marked out with a pricking iron or a stitch marking wheel, then the actual hole would be made with an awl.

 

Tadeusz I have to say I have never taken a sewing class either I learnt how to sew from watching Nigel Armitage videos on youtube.

Just terrific!

skyppere

[Shangas]

Sewing is not hard.

 

Sewing WELL is what takes skill.

[my63]

Sewing is not hard.

 

Sewing WELL is what takes skill.

I am not sure which category I fit into there Shangas,

 

I have to admit I have gone a little over the top with bags while I have been unwell I blame the fever and the ipad and ebay in fact anyone but me

 

This basket case arrived this morning I my defence it was cheap

 

IMG_8828 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This one came on Friday it is marked as a Pendragon bag

 

IMG_8839 by my0771, on Flickr

 

And there is another Pendragon bag in black on its way it looked in quite good condition although please remember the fever so fingers crossed.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Fox Point]

Hi Michael,

 

Just beautiful work, and admirable dedication. I sympathize with the dangers of internet shopping while ill, and of madcap research during resting hours. Odd how it can sometimes feel healing if only because it is soothing to feed the research bug. That pendragon bag is beautiful, though, and I greatly look forward to seeing what it looks like after some time in your care. Also, there can Never be too many pictures

 

Cheers,

Fox Point

[my63]

Thanks Foxpoint

Things don't always work out perfectly I had left the handle as one of the final jobs to be done.

 

There is a hint there yes it is nearly finished in fact I had hoped to finish it today however when I unpicked the stitching on the handle it feel apart.

 

IMG_8863_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Vegetable tanned leather can be shaped when wet and will hold the shape when dry it will form to almost any shape eventually it just takes a long time.

I still need to alter the colour to match the outside of bag

[my63]

I have trimmed the handle cover and dyed it to match the rest of the bag I will need to check the colour in daylight tomorrow.

 

IMG_8870_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I have started to finish all of the edges and there are one or two little things to finish off before the bag is totally finished.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[my63]

These are my final pictures of this project it just needs a final polish and check over before being sent to its owner

 

The original commission was to take a vintage bag and restore it to useable condition and add pockets for a mac book in a case and an ipad in a case, One of the main concerns was that the stitching would be secure and last.

 

IMG_8877_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

With this in mind I decided to remove all of the old stitching and take the bag apart which allowed me to line the whole of the interior in suede.

The original dividers were not high enough so I replaced them with Kydex sheets wrapped in leather.

 

IMG_8879_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I had left the handle to the end and of course it fell to pieces as soon as I started to remove the thread so I spent most of yesterday carrying out repairs I applied the brown dye last night but the colour looks ok to me.

 

IMG_8887_1 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Hopefully the owner will show some pictures of it in use once he receives it

 

I have bought three more bags the final one arrived today so watch out for more projects soon

[Skyppere]

I can't tell you how much fun this thread is... to see the 'before' pictures of the briefcases in tatters and then details of how it's fixed and restored and then the pictures of the gorgeous finished product.

Keep up the great work!

cheers

skyppere

[my63]

I can't tell you how much fun this thread is... to see the 'before' pictures of the briefcases in tatters and then details of how it's fixed and restored and then the pictures of the gorgeous finished product.

Keep up the great work!

cheers

skyppere

Thanks I do appreciate the comments

 

The next project will be the slim line bag by Pendragon a well known English bag maker my plan is to restore it and possibly sell it.

 

little bag 4 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Easy I here you say well it is straight forward the bag is darker that it looks on the pictures and a hole appeared in the side as I was cleaning the bag and the thread needs to be replaced.

If the bag was for me I would add a bright interior maybe red suede although cognac would be a more subtle option.

I also need to keep the cost down where possible if anyone has any thoughts I would love to hear them

[DrRoger]

Well, I'm pleased, proud and incredibly grateful to have received the case today- it's a work of art. Incredible craftsmanship in every way and just what I wanted. Michael is a great person and I want to pay tribute to his patience and skill: thank you Michael. Without any hesitation I'd recommend that if you're looking for the case (in my case I looked for several years) then this is the person to talk to.

I'm going to post some pictures over time, but truth is this case is amazing and pictures alone don't do it justice (nor do words). Thanks again.

Roger

[esteboune]

 

wow!

 

impressive work

[Anne-Sophie]

Everything you make is impressive My63, you have a true talent for restoration, a precious gift, indeed.

[my63]

If you liked that one you will love this one

 

I bought this at a local market today

 

 

IMG_8954 by my0771, on Flickr

 

When looking for a universal measurement system to replace those pesky inches or cm s, In the UK we often compare things to the size of a double decker bus or a football pitch now not everyone will have one of these handy for comparison so I settled on the trusty iPad.

 

IMG_8955 by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

IMG_8959 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The iPad will lie flat in the bottom but will not stand upright an iPad mini would fit but my daughter won't allow me to put it in a dirty horrible old bag

 

IMG_8957 by my0771, on Flickr

 

 

The handle is in a mess most of the leather is missing from the top of the closing mechanism and the interior is shot so is the stitching.

All it needs is a new interior new thread and some new leather but other than that it is fine

Thanks for looking

Michael

Edited November 8, 2014 by my63

[Anne-Sophie]

Have you seen any manufacturer's mark in the bag?

 

Maybe one of our members can date the handbag.

[my63]

 

Hi Anne-Sophie

I had a good look yesterday and again when I read your post there are no makers marks that I could see.

The mechanism is metal which is wrapped in leather then an inner plate is fixed I place with round headed metal rivets the inside of the rivets is uneven so I would say it was done by hand rather than machine.

The bag is hand bag sized but the chap on the stall said it was a doctors bag.

If anyone could help out with a date that would be great.

Thanks

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

Seeing bags of similar functions in popular auction sites, the age ranges from pre 1930 to contemporary.

 

But, your bag has a squared, not obolong shape, same as the previous briefcase, which is customary to all doctors bags.

 

I think the most accurate way to find the age is via the clasps mechanism and the lining design.

 

There is a very similar listing on Etsy from a French store, which says that it is an 1930's Gladstone doctor's bag.

 

The claps is similar to yours but doesn't have a lock on the side, the hardware is pewter, the interior fabric is moire cocoa which the seller says is sturdy cotton.

 

Your looks like an earlier model. the fabric inside the listed model has one pocket trimmed with leather and the handle is molded around the metal hardware, similar to your previous bag instead of your having visible chunks of leather wrapped around it.

 

It might also be a contemporary cheaper model.

[my63]

Thanks for the information Anne-Sophie. All I can say is it is an old bag the leather is worn and the stitching is disintegrating as I touch it.

The lining is indeed cotton and in some areas is so worn it is transparent the hardwareon this bag is pewter coloured but is too hard to be pewter.

I was thinking of lilac suede for the interior but I don't have enough to do the whole bag so I will go to the shop tomorrow and see what they have.

Thanks again

Michael