Sunday 30 June 2013

Simple leather bag tutorial

Simple leather bag tutorial


I just finished another leather bag this afternoon and I love it.
As a matter of fact, I just put it to the test and I find it perfect - very basic - very simple - just the way I like it.
And you know what?!
The instructions are down below, so you can make one too!
This is an entry level project, so no special skills, nor tools are required.

Simple leather bag tutorial


Simple leather bag tutorial

Simple leather bag tutorial


Here's what you will need:

The dimensions of the finished bag are: 38 cm by 40 cm

- leather - I used a leather hide of approx. 0.55 m² but any large (combined) piece of leather would do
- leather cording for strap (determine how long you want your straps to be, and add an extra 15 cm to each strap for knotting - so, if one strap measures x you will need 2(x + 15 cm) in total.
- thread, linen or nylon, as long as it's strong
- magnetic snap
- 2 needles
- pricking iron or a stitching awl
- mallet, rubber or wooden hammer
- hole punch
- glue, a standard crafts glue is fine
- optional: beeswax to wax sewing thread

Simple leather bag tutorial


Instructions:


  1. Cut a rectangle (or two rectangles of equal size if working with smaller pieces of leather) - in my case the rectangle was 39 cm x 80 cm. Next, make stitching holes along the long side for the side seams using a pricking iron, stitch punch or awl, about 0.5 cm from the side.
  2. Cut a piece of thread about 5 times the length of the seam you're going to sew. Thread a needle at each end and 'lock the needles' as is very well explained here. Next, sew the side seams using a saddle stitch, explained here. Note: in most stitching videos you'll notice people are using a stitching pony. I don't, for the simple reason I don't own one and I don't find it necessary. However, you could squeeze your leather in between two hardcover books held together with a a rubber band or belt. This should work equally well in my opinion.
  3. From the left over leather, cut six 5 cm squares.  Put four aside. Attach male and female part of a magnetic snap to the two remaining squares. If you don't know how to fix a magnetic snap check out this tutorial. Next, generously apply glue to the back of the magnetic snap squares and glue them into place onto the wrong sides of the bag, perfectly in the middle and about 3.5 cm from the top (measuring from the center of the snap). To make sure the glue/ square adheres, lightly hammer the square. Dab away any excess glue. Let dry.
  4. Determine where you want the straps to come. Then, position and glue  into place each of the four other squares which will serve to reinforce the leather where the strap holes come. Hammer lightly, dab away excess glue and let dry. 
  5. Mark the center of each square. Next, punch a hole with the leather punch. Repeat for the other squares. 
  6. Cut the leather cord to size, to make two straps. Tie a  double fisherman's knot at one end, thread through the hole as shown, thread through the other hole and finish off with another double fisherman's knot. Repeat with the second strap. And that's it!
Simple leather bag tutorial


As with all of my tutorials, please note, this tutorial is intended for personal use only. Therefore, do not reproduce, sell or commercialize in any form. Thanks for understanding!

If you made something using a tutorial found on this blog or if you got inspired by something you found here, make sure to post your pictures here.

Saturday 29 June 2013

Summer vacation...

Funny faces magnets

... starts right now!

This school year was over in the blink of an eye, it feels like. I guess it means it was a good one!
It also means we'll have to find activities to keep everyone busy and happy.

How about making some more of these little fellows, a craft I did for our school's Spring fair. They're little magnets and very easy to make.
All you need is wooden disks, or any other disks/ shapes you may have at hand - recycled cardboard might do the trick - magnetic tape for the back, a black pen and a tiny bit of wool roving or yarn for the hairdo. Though I'm really not good at drawing I had a lot of fun drawing the funny faces. I practiced on a piece of paper first, which could be an activity on its own. You really need to try this - after a while you'll you get the hang of it! Have fun!!

Note: when using a black pen on wood, I recommend checking for bleeding in the back to avoid a disappointment...

Wednesday 12 June 2013

// SUMMER SALE //

// SALE //

Summer is still a little hesitant around here.
But that's no reason not to kick off the by // Between the lines // Summer Sale.

Enjoy a 20% discount on all items in my shop with this coupon code: BYBTL20
You can do so until July 12th, 2013.

// Happy Shopping //

Monday 10 June 2013

Friendship bracelets with a twist :: a DIY

Friendship bracelets with a twist :: a DIY

I can't believe how fast time is going. It feels like I've been on a speed train lately.
The school year is almost over and this comes with a lot of activities and busy schedules.
One of the things I have been busy with is helping organize the crafts activities for our school's Spring fair. The bracelets I'm showing today, were one of the activities I was responsible for and they were a huge success!  I originally found the technique here. They're simple to make and turn out to be really pretty when made with embroidery floss. Contrary to the usual friendship bracelets these are made in the round, which makes them look a bit like shoe laces. The nice thing about this method is that when you get tired of it you can just tuck it away to resume whenever you feel like it.

The girls and I have made a bunch of bracelets already (one is traveling right now in little H's suitcase as a little surprise... ). It's a perfect activity for those boring and long train/ plane rides, to do while relaxing on the beach, or why not, while waiting at the doctor's office.  No special skills are required besides being able to count to three, which makes this an activity suited for even the little ones - as a matter of fact, this might be a fun way to help develop fine motor skills.

This is what you'll need:

  • a piece of card board
  • something round to trace a circle (I was lucky to have a 1 3/4" punch, but a compass or glass work just as well)
  • scissors
  • embroidery floss
Friendship bracelets with a twist :: a DIY

Instructions: 

Click here for the full instructions in English and here for the full instructions in French.



Friendship bracelets with a twist :: a DIY