DraftMaster (DMT)
Draft Master is a drafting tools bag tailored for students. This project aims to create a solution for students facing challenges in carrying out their drafting needs. With its sleek and accessible design, Draft Master simplifies the drafting process for students, enabling them to work on their drafts wherever they go. Specifically A4-sized, this bag is dedicated solely to drafting tools, ensuring maximum efficiency and convenience for students who draft.
Supplies
- artificial/upholstery leather (brown)
- artificial/upholstery leather (black)
- sling buckle/sling adjuster
- D-rings (2 pcs)
- snap hooks (2 pcs)
- sewing pins
- sewing needle
- bag lock
- waxed thread
- ruler
- pencil/marker
- leather hole-making tools
- pliers
Drawing the Pattern
Using the template above, draw the pattern of the bag on a pattern paper/manila paper OR draw in directly behind the upholstery leather using a pencil or marker. Use brown leather for bag parts 1-5, and black leather for bag part 6 below.
Bag Parts and Dimensions:
(1) Main Bag
- 10" height (front and back faces)
- 13.5" thickness (front and back faces)
- 2.5" thickness (bottom face, side faces)
- 1" allowance (on the side faces)
(2) Flap
- 2.5" thickness, about the size of the bag's bottom
- your own measurement/shape for the tapering tip of the flap
(3) Divider
- 10" height
- 13.5" thickness
- 1" allowance
(4) Sling
- 35" length
- 1.5" thickness
(5) Pockets
- 5" width, has round bottoms
(6) Sling Holders
- 1.5" thickness
Note that all of the allowances are 1" thick. This will serve as the attachment fabric to form the bag into its rectangular prism-like shape.
Cutting and Pinning Leather
Cut the pattern using scissors. Use sewing pins to hold the bag's parts into its shape. This will serve as a guide during the sewing process.
Sewing Base Parts
Using wax thread, loop the thread into the needle. Cut one end which will leave you with a hanging thread. (Instead of sewing with two threads traveling, travel with one.) Use pliers to pull the needle easier. Poke holes using hole-making tools for easier threading. Sew the following in order.
Use back stitch for everything below.
(1) Sling straps - attach the two cutouts, both right sides facing outwards.
(2) Divider - sew the bottom allowance, then sew the sides allowances to the sides of the main bag
(3) Pockets - sew the pockets beside each other inside the front face of the main bag.
(4) Main bag - flip the main bag into its wrong side, sew the remaining sides, sew the bottom corners
(5) Flap - sew and attach the flap outside the back face of the main bag
Sewing Sling Parts
(1) Insert snap buckles on both ends of the sling strap.
(2) Loop the sling buckle/sling adjuster in the sling strap.
(3) Sew only one end of the snap buckles, leave the adjustable one unsewed.
(4) Sew the end near the sling buckle to the bottom side of the sling strap.
(5) Attach the D-rings to the sling holders. Sew as well.
(6) Sew the sling holders on each of the bag's sides.
(7) Attach the sling to the bag.
Attaching the Bag Lock
(1) Attach the button to the tip of the flap. The button has a claw-like design at the back which grapples the leather in place.
(2) Stuff very small scrap leather to lock the button in place using scissors. Pull from time to time to check if the button is tight in place.
(3) Attach the base (circle) by poking a hole in the middle of the front face, right below the button.
(4) Clip the button inside the bag/behind the front face of the bag.