Sewing a leather bag for a packing frame (bärmes)

2020-10-15

A few years ago I created a wooden packing frame. It has been in use carrying black smithing bellows, and medieval stuff in different arrangements with old military bags tied to it or fastened with leather belts. However, I've always felt I should produce a proper to bag to hold my stuff and I finally came around to do this.

This article explain how it was done.

Finished front side Finished back side Adventure time

Material used

Tools used

Work order

Support strap

First I sewed a piece from belt leather with loops for the top wooden part of the packing frame. The role of this strap was to carry the weight of the bag when loaded.

Support strap sewn and attached

Bag

The bag consisted of one larger piece to serve as both front, bottom, back, and lid. I cut out sides and sewed them to the main piece.

I then attached the support strap and attached closing straps and a bottom locking strap for the bag to stay in place.

For the sides to fold inwards away from any rain I sewed a crease on each side.

Treating the leather

I sprayed the bag with regular shoe protection to make it more rain protected. The belts and straps were treated with leather balm to make them soft and useful.

Main piece of leather and one side (not yet trimmed height wise) Sewing a false saddle makers seam since someone had borrowed my leather needles so I could only find a single one One side sewn, trying the shape out by holding it to the frame A sturdier front opening was achieved by re-using a fold from the old sofa Time to trim off excess height of the first side Making room for closing string with a canal First seam attaching the bag to the support strap in place. Trying it out. Side crease clearly visible Straps for closing the lid and attaching the bottom of the bag to the packing frame Testing the lid closing function with a sofa pillow as load. Straps still need shortening. Adventure once more

What I (yet?) haven't done