m12: Black, Red and Tan
Three leathers, one case, and a gold lock to settle the argument between them.
How the colors divide
A London tan flap sits over a black lower front. The gussets and the inside of the flap are red. The handle is black, the lock is square and gold. All three leathers are UK English bridle, thick and waxed, and every seam is hand saddle stitched.
The case is 11 x 8 x 4 inches, with two 2 inch gussets. I made it in late 2023.
The strap
The shoulder strap is black with blue lining, adjustable, with a 20 inch drop and a 1 inch width. It is the one bright thing outside the case that is not tan.
Open
Lift the flap and the red suede takes over, with a blue-lined compartment behind it. A cream Marcellino dust bag sits beside it.
On the patio, then the mannequin
On a metal patio table with the strap laid next to it, then on the workshop mannequin in front of the flag, with the blue strap across the shoulder.
How it is made
The suede is real: see the suede lining page for why I use it instead of microsuede, and the care page for how to look after it.
The bridle leather is described on my leather page, and the journal explains it in What English Bridle Leather Actually Is, and Why Briefcases Are Cut From It.
The seams are hand stitched; see The Saddle Stitch Explained: Hand-Sewing Leather Step by Step for the method.
