Pet Poop Waste Bag Holder -Elephant Shaped
Process of Making the Leather Elephant Waste Bag Holder
I recently registered an account on Fiverr to design leather accessories for clients. My work involves creating custom patterns based on the client’s requirements, photos, and specific purposes of the items. In the first week of joining, I received my first invitation. The client sent me a photo of an item they wanted me to create, which turned out to be quite a challenging project.
The photo they sent was of a vertical elephant figure. At first, I thought about rejecting the request because, from the photo, it seemed like the design had been made using a model, and I felt I wouldn’t be able to replicate it into a leather pattern.
However, I decided to take on the challenge and try to create the elephant figure using paper as a prototype. I didn't follow the original vertical design but made it into a horizontal elephant instead. The reason for this change was that the client wanted the elephant to hold rolls of animal waste bags, which are typically pulled from below, like a roll of toilet paper.
First Prototype - Horizontal Elephant Design
I thought it would be easier and more practical to pull the waste bags from the bottom of the elephant, so I created the first prototype in a horizontal position. Here is the image of the first elephant design:
However, the client wasn't satisfied with the horizontal version. They wanted the elephant to stand vertically because they envisioned the waste bags coming out from the elephant’s backside, as if the elephant were defecating. So, I reworked the design into a vertical elephant.
Second Prototype - Vertical Elephant Design
I then made a new sketch for a vertical elephant, based on the original concept. I used my favorite design software to create the final drawing and added the stitching holes to indicate how the leather should be sewn. The roll of waste bags is about 1.98 inches (6 cm) in height and 0.78 inches (2.6 cm) in diameter, so I used these dimensions to scale the design.
Using Leather as the Material for the Model
As we all know, paper models can be inaccurate because paper lacks thickness. For more precise results, I often use fabric or leather to create prototypes. In this case, I decided to make the elephant model from leather.
I documented the process in a short video. Here’s the leather version of the elephant:
I think the leather model turned out fine! However, I noticed that the legs were a bit splayed out, which was probably because I used soft chrome-tanned leather. If I had used a stiffer leather, like vegetable-tanned leather (veg-tan), and thinned out the leg area at the bottom, I believe the legs would stand straighter.
Refining the Elephant Design
I also realized that the elephant's head needed to be longer. So, I adjusted the head shape and stitched it together. This fix removed the visible gap in the head and made it look more cohesive. Here's the updated elephant design with the extended and stitched head:
After this adjustment, the elephant looked better, but I felt that the head was still a bit too large compared to the body, making the proportions feel off. I plan to make the body (particularly the back end) a bit larger to create a more balanced and cute look. Also, I want to enlarge the ears, as bigger ears would give the elephant a more realistic and adorable appearance.
Testing with the Waste Bags
Next, I tested the design by placing a roll of waste bags inside the elephant. This helped me figure out the position of the lid and determine where the button should be placed for secure closure. I also used this test to decide where the hole for the waste bag’s exit should be.
With all this information, I can now revise the original design in my software, adding the correct exit hole and snap button placement.
Make a prototype using Felt
To save money on using real leather for my prototype, I'm using felt instead. Here's how the elephant looks after making several changes. I’m really happy with it now and feel confident about using genuine leather for the final version!
Final Design - Using Vegetable-Tanned Leather
Here’s the final version of the elephant made with vegetable-tanned leather. I’m really happy with how it turned out! It’s super cute, and I’ve tried using it with the waste bags — it works great!
However, I still think it would be more practical if the waste bags came out from the bottom, as it would be easier to pull them out and use them. What do you think?
Let us know what you think in the comments!
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