Waterproof leather satchel

Hello again,

Now that my journal-ish book is done, I need something to keep it in, and keep it safe from the rain, which will be a satchel… Problem is, I have no idea how to make it waterproof (Especially the seams). I have tested the leather that I have under the tap, and the entire time I kept it under it, the bottom didnt get wet, so I figure the leather is waterproof by itself. Now I just need to know how to make the seams =D, also is there something like a blueprint for a basic satchel somewhere? (As in, all the flat pieces that I need to cut, and perhaps where they are supposed to go?)

Thank you in advance!

You could try getting some beeswax or dubbin from a shoe shop and rubbing it into the seams. Particularly if it’s a hot day, treat it, then leave it out in the sun so that the wax melts into the leather.

Okay, but if it goes in on a hot day, doesnt it come out on a hot day as well? (Just wondering =D)

The basic pattern is a long strip of leather as wide as your satchel and three times as high (for the front, back, base, and flap), plus two smaller bits for the sides, and sundry scraps for the closure and strapholders. Or there’s this method:

bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87381

Which has extra gaps therefore isn’t waterproof. But you could do it without the lacing, and stitch it.

Though you can also trawl the handbag sectiosn of TradeMe looking for something workable.

It’s fine on my boots. Let the wax melt, then polish it with a soft cloth and rub it into the leather.