The Wanderer- HandMade Leather Backpack

Hopefully you have tackled a few leatherworking projects and have a decent set of tools and supplies by now , but no worries if not, the best way to learn is to get started on something.

There are plenty of tutorials on leatherworking techniques so I will focus on the design process here and how to take a sketch from paper to reality.

Leather
Assorted leather Tools
Dye
Zippers
Rivets
Assorted leather hardware

I start out by drawing a sketch of what the final product should look like. Make sure to include any design requirements you need for your project. I included
-2 main zippered compartments
-1 zippered pouch near carry handle in main compartment
-1 inside pocket in Secondary Main Compartment
-1 outside Front Pocket to carry skateboard
-2 adjustable straps to secure skateboard
-2 side pockets w/adjustable strap closure
-Adjustable Leather Straps
-Carrying Handle

Draw out the pieces you will need to keep track of all your measurements in one place. If you need to change something along the way it's easier to have all your numbers together.

It can be helpful to use a backpack you already have and enjoy for inspiration and to use as a reference when building.

To achieve this tyedye/ galactic effect I used eco flo dyes and a sea sponge. Working in stages with one color at a time I layered 3 primary colors to achieve this effect. I went yellow then red, then blue in order. Also I layered yellow heaviest , red medium, and blue light-medium to gain the overlapping color mixing effect without just making brown.

To get best results you have to make sure dye is evenly distributed on the sponge and press gently without smearing. You have to go up and down but only move it sideways when not touching the leather.

Also it really looks quite amazing once it's sealed, so don't be discouraged if the colors don't pop as much as you would like at first.

I find it easier to do a large panel that I can cut up to size for the other pieces I need to make. I used this for the 2 main compartment panels, the shoulder straps, and side pocket straps.

Working from your design cut out the pieces you need to begin assembly.
If desired you should add your stich lines and prepunch holes.
I use double stick tape to hold pieces together while Stitching.

You will need to have cut out
-utility strap and insert for outside front pocket (green canvas brown leather loops)
-the outside front pocket panel(red yellow green tyedye)
-the outside of the Secondary Main Compartment (brown)
-the bottom gusset for outside front panel(long green/brown)
-2 side gussets(brown triangularish)
-zipper of appropriate length
-side gusset(red canvas)
-bottom panel
It can be helpful, especially when installing zippers, to use double stick tape for upholstery to hold seams together before sewing.
Assemble as designed and sew together using a saddle stitch. You may find it helpful to prepunch the holes using pricking irons

Working from your design make sure to prepare any remaining components for final assembly.
-zippered pouch
-adjustable straps for skateboard
-adjustable straps for side pockets
-adjustable shoulder straps
-carry handle
-attach shoulder straps to back panel

This is where you attach the back panel to the rest of the backpack you have assembled so far.

It took me just under a month and 100+ hours of work from sketch to finished project.

Thanks for looking hope you enjoy. Feel free to check out my Instagram @AzDesertHippies and etsy etsy.com/az_desert_hippies to see some of my other creations.