WORKERS Leather Handle Tote_Navy_Medium/Long Handle

Leather Handle Tote Bag, No. 4 Canvas/20.8 oz. Canvas, Size: Medium/Long Handle. This bag is a leather-handled tote bag made in the United States. The body is made of No. 4 canvas, weighing 20.8 oz., which is probably thicker than the original. This time, I chose not to use seams on the sides, but instead sewed them with alternating folds. This creates a ribbed side, allowing the bag to stand even when empty. I used No. 6 canvas for the sample to at least reduce the thickness of the bottom. However, after seeing the factory, I got greedy and thought, "I think I can do this," so I used No. 4 canvas for the bottom as well. Since it seems like it would be too difficult to sew, I plan to limit the No. 4 body and No. 4 bottom to the first batch. The tape is from a tape shop in Osaka. I searched and found this manufacturer of thick tape when I was making bags previously. They didn't have any colored tape in stock, so I had it dyed to order. The handles are made of Japanese saddle leather, stitched and riveted. The outer pockets are on both the front and back. The dimensions are 34cm wide, 17cm deep, and 30cm high. This is the original M size. Authentic replica wear born from an overwhelming desire to explore vintage wear WORKERS is a men's wear manufacturer based in Okayama that specializes in workwear, traditional styles, and military wear. The company's president, Takashi Tateno, who likes the unique atmosphere of vintage clothing, has studied actual vintage clothing, We visit the manufacturers that made the products and the existing buildings to learn about their history and materials. We research these and use them as inspiration for our products. All products are made in Japan, and we understand the process ourselves. We only produce our products in factories that have dedicated equipment for each process. Not only from Japan, but also from J.CREW and INVENTORY It is also attracting keen attention from companies with global recognition. From here on, the details of how it was made ------------------------------------------------------------- I'd been wanting to make a bag for a while. However, the ladies at Yata who used to make my bags have retired, so I started looking for a factory that could make them. This time, unusually, I didn't go near Okayama, but near my parents' house. When I got there... hmm, I found a common thread with the president. We talked about modifying the presser foot on a sewing machine. It's hard to have multiple identical machines in case of an emergency. I wondered how they could use a pattern machine (a computer-controlled machine that stitches the same every time), even though it requires plates and inputs, and the president himself did it. It was my first encounter with a truly factory-like factory, and it really motivated me. I was so excited that I asked the president if he could sew a size 4, and he said, "It's too stiff," but he continued sewing. When I asked, "It's too stiff, should I give up?" I asked, "From the way you talk, it means you can do it," and the person at the counter, M, replied, "I guess you can do it," so I went for a size 4. It was thicker and stiffer than the original. Because of this history, the tag this time says "Designed by" instead of "Made by WORKERS." It's truly amazing how effortlessly they can sew this. Lately, whenever I've inquired about Japanese factories, I've been getting increasingly disappointing responses like, "We used to be able to do this," or "We can make it, but it's not profitable (we don't need it while we can)." Since I don't run the factory myself, I can't complain. (Some people say selfish things like, "Japanese factories are no good because they don't have factories that can make ultra-small batches.") I don't complain, but I find myself thinking, "Oh, I wish we could make it. What a shame." As a result, I've spent the past few years deepening my understanding of what I can do now. So when I was asked to make a bag for WORKERS again after a long time, I didn't respond with any enthusiasm. But this time, it's different. This factory is truly amazing. --------------------------------------------------------- The handle is made of saddle leather by Noboru Ito. It's based on Tochigi leather. Ito has been using leather since the early days of WOREKRS, and I was able to visit him in the past. It brings back fond memories. Apparently, the leather-skimming factory later burned down and had a difficult time. It was rebuilt through crowdfunding, so I supported it, however small my contribution might be. The skimming factory has reopened, and I used it again this time for the first time in a while... and it's still great. The factory that actually cut the handle also said, "This leather is great!" There are few scratches. Even with the same Tochigi leather, there are many "leather shops," and each produces a slightly different finish. Ito's saddle has tightly packed leather fibers. The surface has a slightly glossy finish. If you overdo it, it becomes difficult to tell whether it's leather or synthetic leather. It's all about finding the right balance. ------------------------------------------------------------ However, when I made them again after a long time, I found that everything had gone up in price. I made them, worried about whether I could sell them at this price. If they're well-received, I'd like to continue making them in different sizes, colors, and specifications. Incidentally, last time, there was a strange tote bag boom, and similar-looking bags, though of different quality, started popping up like mushrooms after a rain, making it difficult to continue making them. I wonder how it would turn out this time? But even if I think about it, the quality is excellent again this time. Plus, I met a new factory for the first time in a while, and it was fun making them. Thanks to that, I've come up with a lot of ideas for the next project. After all, making something has to be fun, for me. Thinking about it like that, even if I aim to be a professional in terms of technique, I'm still an amateur at heart. It's fun, that's why I keep making them.