Hi All,
I hate posting over myself, but I'm going to- as I'm adding the next stage as promised. The Paper Mock-Up.

It's in it's roughest stages, not all layers are fleshed out (the targe) and pinked, and the folds are applied rather than generated from the layer they are meant to be part of. The gusset will also need a bit of work, but will do for now as a rough approximation of it's proposed form. I should add that the gusset looks mangled, as I've creased it to obtain the proper angle for the two faces, which goofed up the edges where the 'seams' are.

Front


1/4 Front, showing relief of 'petal folds' as well as a nicely shadowed, partially 'pinked' edge.


Neither image shows the perforated top section yet. I'm still working on hole placements.

Initially I was a bit concerned about the lower 1/3, but I think making the petal folds a bit larger will help this. I'm hoping to use a waxed and oiled (or pull-up) leather for this bag, which will give it a very dynamic, interactive surface.

For those who don't know their leather that well, a pull-up leather shows scratches and stretches by a lightening of colour, and reacts very easily with the oils in your hand to darken those areas back down. It also develops an amazing patina with use. After a few years of regular wear this type of leather will look AMAZING and be totally unique, based on it's owner. Like an old satchel or a much loved saddle.

It's not the type of leather for everyone, but is the one I'm planning on using for the piece, based on it's type and purpose.

I'll probably make a Rob Roy in that same leather, and possibly the Jacobite bag, although I already bought a gorgeous doeskin for that purpose...

As always, general thoughts and constructive commentary is always welcome.
Thanks for looking.