“Mordor” N° CO-153

I love testing new patterns for designers. Discovering novel ideas before everyone, helping them refine the assembly and the instructions, even proofreding! Pattern design is such an interesting and exacting discipline that I deeply admire and sometimes delve in (I have 4 of my own).
This one was no exception, especially since it was from a French maker I'd been "hanging out with" in bag making groups and whose video tutorials I'd followed in the past. Go France!

The main design feature of this bag, the strap-like lines running up and down all around the body of the bag (that act as loops for the cinching cord), and the two triangle-shaped strap connectors, called for some serious contrast play. It was right away obvious to me that I needed to have a solid-colored material as the base on which to lay them. No small feat as I mainly have patterned fabrics... But!
I've found it challenging (but rewarding) to use this shiny bronze fabric (see the “Mosaïque” Shoulder Bag) and I figured it would be perfect for the job.

I've been on the lookout for a more sustainable alternative to imitation leather, which I usually don't buy fresh from the roll at stores as to not encourage production but which still fills the desire some of my clients have to have a vegan “leather-like” experience (and cork, as much as I love it, often just doesn't cut it for them)...
I was thrilled to discover SiLeather, a silicon-based imitation leather which involves half as much plastic as usual, as only the back contains some (polyester knit). Plus, the feel in hand is amazing: it's matte, supple and firm, “oily” as only some leathers can be, and comes with two grains.
I'd found my volcanic rock to my fiery lava, the orc-like rawness of it the perfect companion to the regal sophistication of the glittery magma in the background... The two triangles on the side reminded me of the central volcano of the (in)famous hellish land from Tolkien.
“Mordor” was thus very obvious as a name for the resulting bag.