All of the tools and hardware required to make one Dumaine bag: big scissors, little scissors, rotary cutter, skiving tool, edging tool, hammer, steel dapping block, hole punches, scoring tool, pen, branding iron, circle template, belt edger, straight edge, burnishing cloth, buckles, loops, clasp, (not pictured: strap cutter, oblong buckle punch)

Note: this isn't meant to be a step by step "how to" tutorial.  
Just thought I'd share a day in the life at the studio for those interested in what goes into making a leather bag by hand.  xo

patterns. thread, zippers..... 

1 cow hide yields 3 Dumaine bags - 6 lg pieces per bag.

Adding loops. tag, rivets...

So much harrrrdware!

Hammering rivets. (I quite enjoy this part)

Shoulder pad anyone?

Adding the zipper then pocket to the front piece... 
(thats my trusty/rusty Consew industrial walking foot)

Branding leather rules!

I use my dapping block as a straight edge aaaaand....

Voi-la!

Wait, better check my email, I mean, FB, I mean twitter, I mean... 
Back to WORK!

Edge-finishing all of the pieces before putting it all together...

"Putting it all together" - a.k.a. forcing a 3D thing to be a flat thing 
long enough to sew: LEATHER WRESTLING

Skiving (or is it skifing?) the edges, then burnishing.

Adding the last of the hardware (the fun part!)

Dumaine. Done.  (O.K., so I left a few of the boring bits out, but you get the idea!)

White birch. Orange wall. New Pfaff industrial serger.

So long tiny studio with N facing windows,,, hallo SUN!
(that blinding white is actually the window below)
A rare commodity in our beloved Pacific NW.

My 3rd story west facing view from my desk.  Pretty sunsets from here!

Wow.  February has turned out to be one the best and worst months for me.  I'm trying hard to focus on the good things amongst personal loss and sadness and this space is really been helping me to do that. 
I already feel so inspired here.  Looking forward to new ideas, new projects, new beginnings, and holy shit, SUNLIGHT!
If you're cruisin down NE MLK between Stanton and Graham... Come say hi! I'll make us some tea.

Finally making these in some new wax canvas colors:

Just waiting on hardware and strapping to put these on the website! 
The Alvar bag is a combination tote, backpack and adjustable shoulder bag in waxed canvas and leather. yesssssssss.

So I'm leaving Portland at the crack tomorrow, heading
off to Italy, Turkey, Croatia & Greece on a 11 day trip. I've been looking to get a backpack for some daytripping but couldn't find a cool one so I decided to just make one! 
I found the woven mexican fabric at a thrift store the other day. The navy pebble cloth is xobag leftovers and the straps I took off a crappy backpack I found for free. Total cost: $3!  Now... off to bed.

    New wool lined Kilim bags!

     Leather visors!

Hello Good People! If you are in Seattle this weekend, come check out xobruno and some of our new items at Urban Craft Uprising! It's at the Seattle Center from 11-5 this Sat and Sunday. We are in the front as you walk through the main doors to your right... corner spot facing the back! Hope to see you there... xo

postscript: some quick photos from the Seattle show: