"make me a bag that looks like an old book"

“Ideally a book would have no order to it, and the reader would have to discover his own.” -Mark Twain

I was recently asked to construct a bag that would remind the owner of an old book. Other than wanting plaid, they asked only that the bag be unique. They did not want to know how the project would turn out but rather preferred to let me surprise them. I felt a bit like I had opened one of those choose your own adventure books and hoped it wouldn’t end with me being devoured by some unseen horror.

I must admit that I love the leather covers and the intricate binding of old books. Also, I am usually in awe of the antiquated fonts and the fancy bits of illustrations. It was my aim to honor the craftsmanship of the days of yore without constructing a bag that seemed moth-eaten and dog-eared. I wanted this bag have a classic feel while still looking contemporary.

I used bits of salvaged leather for the closure and on the sides to attach the handle.

The flap is gray and blue plaid wool. The body is made from a dark navy thick cotton. The fasteners are metal and add to the time-less style of the bag.