Leather bags, packs, pouches, and statchels

[jbd_29349]

[quote="Martin Moser" post=297643
For before the Comacchio finds there is nothing that I am aware of as far as bags are concerned :-([/quote]

That sucks!

On the Barger-compascuum pouch, how did you do the unique "braiding" on the draw string?

This question is off topic but with your Mainz Calceus. When you pulled the upper over the sole and nailed it into the last, the bumps in the leather around the toes did you shave them down?

[jbd_29349]

For before the Comacchio finds there is nothing that I am aware of as far as bags are concerned :-(

That sucks!

On the Barger-compascuum pouch, how did you do the unique "braiding" on the draw string?

This question is off topic but with your Mainz Calceus. When you pulled the upper over the sole and nailed it into the last, the bumps in the leather around the toes did you shave them down?

[agrimensor]

Wath about a leather waterbag (canteen) like t5he spanish use today.
vale

[Martin Moser]

On the Barger-compascuum pouch, how did you do the unique "braiding" on the draw string?

Please check http://sutor.jimdo.com/bags/roman/barger...uum-pouch/ - I added a pic which I think explains it nicely.

This question is off topic but with your Mainz Calceus. When you pulled the upper over the sole and nailed it into the last, the bumps in the leather around the toes did you shave them down?

No. If the lasting margin is about 10-15mm in width it can be hammered flat after carefully arranging the material and nailing it to the last so that shaving isn't necessary. Wetting the leather in that area helps. Overall it makes the construction stronger when not shaving the leather down IMHO.

[jbd_29349]

[quote="Martin Moser" post=297778
Please check http://sutor.jimdo.com/bags/roman/barger...uum-pouch/ - I added a pic which I think explains it nicely.[/quote]

AHHH, I see! Thank you! Love the site by the way, I love the king Tut shoe!!

The colors you are using to dye the leather as well as the colored stiching, are they accurate to the piece or of your own design?(all your projects not just bags)

I see that some of the bags and even parts of the bag have another peice of leather over it to cover the the exposed ends. Is this something you have added for presentation or because it is what they did?

[jbd_29349]

Please check http://sutor.jimdo.com/bags/roman/barger...uum-pouch/ - I added a pic which I think explains it nicely.

AHHH, I see! Thank you! Love the site by the way, I love the king Tut shoe!!

The colors you are using to dye the leather as well as the colored stiching, are they accurate to the piece or of your own design?(all your projects not just bags)

I see that some of the bags and even parts of the bag have another peice of leather over it to cover the the exposed ends. Is this something you have added for presentation or because it is what they did?

[Martin Moser]

AHHH, I see! Thank you! Love the site by the way, I love the king Tut shoe!!

Thanks :-)

The colors you are using to dye the leather as well as the colored stiching, are they accurate to the piece or of your own design?(all your projects not just bags)

Colors: Both, it depends. Some of the pieces are done like the original, especially so if the original is in good shape re. color. The red bag with black decoration e.g.
Stitching: Very rare that threads survive. Where there is something, I follow that, otherwise I mostly use undyed thread or what I think fits.

I see that some of the bags and even parts of the bag have another peice of leather over it to cover the the exposed ends. Is this something you have added for presentation or because it is what they did?

Not really sure which pieces you mean, but generally I don't add or leave out anything from the original, so it will have been on the original as well.

[jbd_29349]

The bags found on Trajans Column that are carried on the furca poles, I know that there is little to no evidence of these bags. The pera bag or loculus bag is well known in the re-enactor community. The other large bag that seems to have a draw string on one end, what is the take on this bag? Meaning, most recontrustion I have seen have have had the stiching on the inside of the bags. There were sewn rough side out then turned inside out to have the stiching hiden and the fleshside out.

I find this a unusual sense the Commachio bag, pera/loculus, Bargercompascuum money pouch, and the drawstring bag from the cave of letters all have exposed stiching. Would the bag on the furca pole be similiar to the money pouch or is this bag the artists take on another bag he decided not to carve?

[Darek]

And what about late roman leather bags (ca III-IVc)? Do you have any information?

[John Conyard]

Leather envelop style pouches/bags hanging from belts are not dipicted. Re-enactors wear them to put their phones in, but they are best avoided. Around the waist draw string bags seem to be your best bet, often worn under the tunic and out of sight.

In terms of kit bags the "duffle bag" seems to survive, and seems to be the basic kit bag of the Imperial soldier.

Legio XXI Rapax are doing a good job.

[Darek]

Thanks for warm welcome, John.

So far I haven't found any proof of small leather LRE bags. It's quite odd, considering that there is quite many examples from I-II c (Commachio, Israel).

I saw this „duffle bag” somewhere on RAT. Unfortunately my wallet and cell phone aren't so big

Regards

[Cunicula]

On the Barger-compascuum pouch, how did you do the unique "braiding" on the draw string?

It isn't unique exactly, it had been around across Europe for a few hundred years before the Romans; it's the same slit-braid that was used both for the rope that strangled Tollund Man, and also the armlet found on Oldcroghan man in Ireland. It's still around too, it turns up in elaborately braided horse harness in North and South America, presumably arriving there via Spain. If you braid one strip folded in two, it's a quick no-sew method of attaching a metal fitting like a buckle.
You get a very decorative effect if you use different colours for the two strips of leather!
(Sorry for Anorak Moment, will shut up now :-) )

[graceludden]

Here is what i find of how to make leather bags, just want to share:
# Purchase your leather pieces. Leather can be found in larger fabric stores, at feed stores and in stores where horse tack is sold. Check online retailers and hobby shops for additional options or local contacts. Review your options, and choose the type, color and condition you like best.
# Cut your leather into the basic pieces of the messenger bag with a very sharp and clean razor. Cut one flap , 2 pieces that will become the front and back from both the leather and the lining fabric, one gusset for the bottom of the bag, and one long strap. When cutting the strap piece, longer is better than shorter. You can always go back and remove any excess leather. Take care to cut straight, even lines. If necessary, use a straight edge.
# Tape one edge of the gusset to the front piece with a strip of seam tape, . With your heavy duty thread, sew the gusset to the front piece. Repeat this step with the back piece. The gusset forms the bottom to allow more storage space. Once sewn together, the gusset and front and back pieces form the body of the messenger bag.
# Attach the front and back pieces of the leather right sides together with seam tape on the side edges. Sew these sides together, and turn the bag right side out. Take care to make sure the leather sits smoothly. Do not stretch the leather.
# Attach the flap to the top of the back piece of the bag. With seam tape, secure the flap to the top, right sides together and stitch it into place. Attach your closures to the flap.
# Make your strap. Double the leather over, wrong sides together, securing them with seam tape. Stitch the pieces together. Trim the seams to be as straight as possible, and cut any excess length from the strap. Pin the strap to the sides and sew. Trim the excess thread.
# Add pockets and compartments. Cut front and pack pieces from lining fabric, place them right sides together and pin. Sew the side and bottom seams, leaving the top open. Hem the top edge. Attach the pockets to the lining of the messenger bag.
# Insert the lining. Pin and sew the lining together, as you did for the outer shell of the bag. Hem the top edge. Stitch the top edge of the lining to the top edge of the leather shell, and trim away any excess thread. Using a binding stitch over the top edge of the leather to finish off the bag.

[jvrjenivs]

Here is what i find of how to make leather bags, just want to share:

Only use vegi tanned leather. That most of the time also little your options as for pre-coloured leather. Dye it yourself.
Then I wouldn't use separate pieces for the back and the flap. This can be made out of one piece of leather. Actually the simple enveloppe design only needs one big piece of leather and a series of straps. No need to make it out of 4 pieces (excl. straps)

And why do you add pockets? Do we have any reference for a bag with pockets? Okay I know the bargercompascuum had a comparment, but that one was sewn in with the rest of the bag. No separate lining or pockets.

[M. Demetrius]

From what I've seen, instead of pockets, there would more likely have been smaller bags inside the bigger bags.