Making a Mercer Briefcase: All the Small Things

All the Small Things

Making a Mercer Part 4.

This next step I think of like getting my mise en place together. All of the small components have to be made and then attached to the bag.

This step includes adding handles, riveting and stitching the top of the bag to the back, attaching the d-rings where the shoulder strap will connect to the bag, and the tuck clasps that will keep the bag closed.

The tuck clasp is installed with little screws on the back. Another strip of leather has been stitched in place to strengthen the part of the bag that will be pulled on to open the bag and add an interesting detail to the otherwise plain front.

This process is by far the longest part of anything I make. Extra attention is required because any missteps at this point will result in things like the bag being crooked when closed or the handles coming off under stress. Bad things all around.

It is exciting to see all of the separate parts coming together. I start to finally get an idea of what this briefcase is going to look like.

Kind of a seeing the forest through the trees moment.

Mid-riveting on this Mercer. Those metal bits you see sticking up will be nipped off then rounded over to set the rivet in place. This is the strongest way of attaching something like this to a bag. Built to last.