Laced Leather Belt Bag

This laced leather belt bag is the perfect accessory for any costume.
Use it for LARP or COSPLAY.
Depending on the fastenings you use - it can look medieval or contemporary.
If you use pre-dyed leather it is very easy to make.

Firstly print the pattern I have attached on A4 paper. Make sure it prints at full size and doesn't scale.
For 2 of the pages the pattern goes right to the top of the paper, so if your printer didn't print all the way to the top - just continue the lines to the top of the paper.

For this project you will need:

2.5 to 3mm thick leather 35cmx30cm (I'm using pre-dyed leather in dark brown)
1.5 to 2mm leather 45cm x 8cm (I'm using pre-dyed leather in light brown)
2.5m of 3mm waxed cotton cord

3mm fid
Wax finish for the leather (I suggest Carnauba cream or Snow Proof)
Leather scissors
Craft knife
Cutting mat
Ruler
Pencil and Pen
Fastening - Use a Wood / Horn or imitation horn toggle, or for a more modern feel go for a Swing Lock. If using a swing lock you will need more rivets.
For a swing lock - attach the bottom part to the front of the piece BEFORE lacing.
6 rivets for belt loops, setting tool and hammer
Sellotape
Hole punch 1/8" (3mm) , hammer and board for hammering on or hand punch.

Optional - you will get better results if you have these:
Leather edge beveller
Leather skiving tool
Beeswax block and wooden edge slicker

Cut out the paper pattern pieces.
There are two pattern pieces that need to be joined.
The two side pieces need to be joined to make one long piece 44cm long.
Join with sellotape.
The other piece that needs to be joined is the back and the curved flap. Cut them out and sellotape together.

Place your pattern pieces on the wrong side of the leather and draw round them with a pencil to mark out the pattern.
Remember that the long side piece gets cut out of the thinner leather, the rest get cut out of the thick leather.

I'm using a dark brown leather for the thick and a lighter brown for the thin.
Now carefully cut out the pieces.
The straight edges are easier if you use a craft knife and ruler, the curved parts are easier with a pair of leather scissors.

OPTIONAL: If you have an edge beveller, then bevel round the thick pieces front and back. This just gives a more rounded profile for the edges.

If you have a skiving tool - skive both ends of the hanging straps. Skive from the wrong side of the leather about 2cm on each end.

This shapes the ends of the straps so that they will sit flush at the back of your belt bag.

Now you will need to mark all the positions for holes.
These are the dots on the pattern.

You probably will need to adjust the positions for your fastener depending on what kind and what size you are using. The holes for the fastener are those on the flap on the Back piece and those in the middle of the Front piece.

I mark where the holes are to go by lining up the paper pattern over the back of the leather and pressing through with a pen or pencil so that it makes an indent. You should be able to see the indents and you can go over these again with your pen or pencil.

Now punch all your holes using an 1/8" (3mm punch)
I use an old kitchen chopping board to hammer onto.

If you have beeswax and a wooden slicking tool, was along the edges of the thick leather with your wax block, then slick using the wooden tool.
This gives your edges a smooth polished look.

Using a cotton rag, apply some leather finish to the top sides of your leather pieces. I'm using Snow Proof as I want t weather resistant finish, but Carnauba Cream also gives a good finish.

Leave for an hour or so to let the leather absorb the wax.

SWING LOCK:

If you are using a SWING LOCK as fastening - NOW is the time to rivet on the bottom part to the front piece.

Rivet on your belt loop straps.

Place a belt loop strap on top of the back of your belt bag - right sides together so the top two holes on the back piece match up with the pair of holes on your belt loop strap.

Rivet these on using matching rivets, rivet tool and hammer.
Now bend the belt loop over and rivet - the bottom hole on the back piece and the top hole on the strap.

Do both sides.
Now you have straps that can slide over your belt.

MEDIEVAL?
If you want to be truly medieval then you can lace on your belt loop straps using the same technique as for lacing on the side.

Cut 90cm of your waxed cord. Cut the end at an angle and screw the cord end into the fid so that it feels tight.
Hold the side leather with it's right side to the reverse side of the back piece so the holes overlap.
Tie a knot at the end of your waxed cord and thread on one of your square "washers". Now start your lacing from the top hole starting from the inside of the back piece. The side leather will bend up at the corners.
Tighten up the lace as you go and when you get to the last hole, you will finish on the inside. Add another "Washer". Make sure you have tightened the lace as much as you can then tie a knot on top of the washer.

Cut 90cm of your waxed cord. Cut the end at an angle and screw the cord end into the fid so that it feels tight.

Tie a knot at the end of your waxed cord and thread on one of your square "washers". Now start your lacing from the top hole starting from the inside of the front piece. As you work your way round you will find you have less space to work as the bag closes. Make sure to tighten up the lace as you go and when you get to the last hole, you will finish on the inside. Add another "Washer". Make sure you have tightened the lace as much as you can then tie a knot on top of the washer.

TOGGLE:

For this you will need a short length of waxed cord. I'm just using the left over from lacing the side to the front.
Knot your cord. Start on the inside with a washer. Thread through toggle and back through the other hole. Finish with another washer and knot.

SWING LOCK:
The bottom part of the swing lock was riveted on to the front of the bag BEFORE lacing.
Now you can rivet on the top part to the bag flap.

If you are using a toggle you will need a front tie.

For this you will need at least 50cm of cord.
Thread your fid and lace through the holes in the front so you have a loop at the top and the cords hang down.
Knot the hanging cords so they can't pull out.

Now your laced leather belt bag is finished. Give it a buff with a clean cloth, hang it from your belt and fill it up with stuff.