Project description
I am looking for an experienced leather craftsperson to design and hand-build a compact wine carrier tote sized for two standard 750ml bottles. The piece should read as a thoughtful gift and picnic accessory rather than a piece of luggage, so the scale needs to stay small and the silhouette clean. Inside the body I need two individual padded compartments that keep the bottles upright and separated so glass never touches glass, plus a slim gusseted pocket along one side sized for a corkscrew, a folded cloth napkin, and a couple of stemless cups or a small cheese knife.
Construction should use full-grain or vegetable-tanned leather in a natural or dark tan tone, with the padding built from a firm foam or felt core wrapped in leather or a sturdy lining fabric so the bottle sleeves hold their shape when empty. I would like a wide top handle stitched or riveted for repeated hand-carry use, reinforced at the stress points where the handle meets the body, since a loaded tote with two bottles carries real weight. A closure at the top - a strap and buckle, twist locks, or a magnetic snap - should keep the bottles from tipping when the tote is set down or carried over uneven ground.
Stitching should be saddle stitch or a heavy-duty machine lockstitch depending on the maker's usual process; edges should be burnished and finished cleanly since the tote will be seen up close as a gift. I am open to a base panel with small feet or studs so the leather does not sit directly on wet grass or a table. A discreet inside pocket for a folded gift card or small note would be a nice touch, though it is not essential.
Please share reference photos of similar bottle carriers or wine totes you have built before, along with your usual turnaround time for a single custom commission, your process for hardware and lining choices, and pricing for the leather grade and finish you would recommend. I am flexible on exact dimensions as long as two bottles fit snugly with the padded dividers in place, and I would like to review a rough sketch or pattern mockup before cutting begins.
Construction should use full-grain or vegetable-tanned leather in a natural or dark tan tone, with the padding built from a firm foam or felt core wrapped in leather or a sturdy lining fabric so the bottle sleeves hold their shape when empty. I would like a wide top handle stitched or riveted for repeated hand-carry use, reinforced at the stress points where the handle meets the body, since a loaded tote with two bottles carries real weight. A closure at the top - a strap and buckle, twist locks, or a magnetic snap - should keep the bottles from tipping when the tote is set down or carried over uneven ground.
Stitching should be saddle stitch or a heavy-duty machine lockstitch depending on the maker's usual process; edges should be burnished and finished cleanly since the tote will be seen up close as a gift. I am open to a base panel with small feet or studs so the leather does not sit directly on wet grass or a table. A discreet inside pocket for a folded gift card or small note would be a nice touch, though it is not essential.
Please share reference photos of similar bottle carriers or wine totes you have built before, along with your usual turnaround time for a single custom commission, your process for hardware and lining choices, and pricing for the leather grade and finish you would recommend. I am flexible on exact dimensions as long as two bottles fit snugly with the padded dividers in place, and I would like to review a rough sketch or pattern mockup before cutting begins.
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