More waterproofing...

A few days ago I waterproofed the first front pannier...today I treated the handlebar bag.  I didn't take pics of the pannier job, you'll just have to believe me...
Here are the details of the handlebar bag work and waterproofing.

Before treating...
I sewed leather onto both sides of the bag as channels for the metal rods that will secure it. I soaked the leather with water so I could shape it.  When dry, it was stiff and held the shape I formed it into. I braided two loops out of leather cording to enable a carrying strap to be attached or removed at the slightest whim.  I sewed them securely to the canvas, and then the leather channel covered their untidy ends.

After waterproofing...
The leather darkened significantly when waterproofed...I like the look a lot.
It also became stiffer, but that won't be a problem.

A few things I noticed with the panniers I waterproofed first:  the linseed oil takes a couple weeks to dry completely.  While it is drying it smells strongly of rancid oil...yuk!

After it dries, the canvas is very stiff....and I mean VERY stiff!

I wasn't expecting it to become so resistant to bending and folding.  I am glad it got so stiff...that will help the handlebar bag stay shaped when filled and off the bike....

I did make a rather silly mistake when storing the leftover mixture of beeswax and linseed oil...I didn't cover the container or wrap up the paintbrush, so the oil dried.  I had to pick pieces of dried linseed oil out of the melted beeswax and off the canvas when I used it next...

Well...learn from your mistakes!