Best of DIYs | Leather Pouch

Today's Best of DIY by Ashley Rose of Sugar and Cloth is a nice little summer project perfect to get ready for back to school. It also makes a nice gift! Check out the instructions below:

DIY Leather Pouch
I'll teach you how to modify a craft store leather bag kit to make this project modern, well made, and cost effective while still being the work of your hands. As the icing on the cake, you can personalize it by leather stamping or painting their name, a pattern, quote, you get the idea...

Materials:

Leather belt bag kit (like this one)

Scissors

A 3/4" silver rivet

In case the term "belt bag" threw you off a little, don't fret! We're skipping that part and making it a little more modern. To do that, thread your needle with the leather cording, and double stitch just the back where the belt hook was supposed to be. Double stitching just means that you stitch it one direction, and then turn around and stitch the same section in the opposite direction. If you're filling up all of the spaces in between the leather punched holes, then you're doing it right.

Next, remove the snap that would normally be used for the belt loop, and replace it with a simple silver rivet for aesthetic purposes.

For the sides, lay the leather pieces rough side facing rough side, and align the outer punched holes. Start sewing them together, leaving a strand of leather cording on the end to use to knot the seams when you're finished.

As long as you're sewing as tightly as you can through the aligned punched holes, then you're sides will form correctly even if they pucker a bit at first (see top photo). Once you've sewn through the entire side piece, you're going to sew back through it all (double stitch), just like the original seam. Repeat these steps again for the other leather side.

Finish it up with clasping hardware by inserting the screw through the inside of the pouch, and then twisting the clasp onto it from the outside.

Visit Ashley Rose online at:
sugarandcloth.com

@sugarandcloth

portfolio

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Best of DIYs | Leather Passport

Continuing with our summer series of Best of DIYs we bring you this pretty fab project by Alicia Jepsen of Jepsen LeatherGoods. Back in 2011 Alicia shared how to make this leather passport holder with us, and we're happy to dig it out of the archives - perfect for a summer DIY we think! Check it out below!

Guest DIY post by Jepsen LeatherGoods

 

How to Make Your Own Leather Passport Holder 
by Jepsen LeatherGoods

What You Need:

* passport holder pattern (pdf available online)
* 3/4 oz. vegetable tanned leather (one square foot)
* waxed linen thread (~110” total)
* scratch awl
* stitching awl
* utility knife
* cutting mat
* ruler
* wool dauber
* leather conditioner
* 2 craft needles (~2 3/8” long)
* soft cloth

*Many of these items are available from Springfield Leather Company (www.springfieldleather.com).

Time: ~ 2 hours

1. Print and cut out pattern. Make sure to print the pdf in actual size. Uncheck the auto scale box in your print window. The large pattern piece (shown in Step 2) should measure 8” by 5 1/2”. The smaller pattern pieces for the pockets should measure ~2 7/8” by 5 1/2” and ~3 ¼” by 5 1/2” respectively.

2. Lay pattern on leather and trace with a scratch awl. Poke holes through pattern to mark stitch placement.

3. Use utility knife (and ruler if necessary) to cut out the pattern you have traced on the leather.

4. Punch holes with the stitching awl. Helpful hint: Laying the leather on an old telephone book allows you to pierce a deeper hole into the leather, resulting in easier stitching. 

5. Apply the leather conditioner with a wool dauber.

6.  Wipe excess away with a soft cloth. Use the cloth to rub the edges of the leather. This will create a nice, smooth edge.

7.  Cut three lengths of waxed linen thread. You will need two 45” pieces (for the pockets on each side) and one 20” piece (for the credit card divider).

8.  The most common way to sew leather is saddle stitching. Watch a short video tutorial here. To do this, thread a needle on both end of a 45” piece of thread. Line up the large leather piece with one of the pocket pieces and insert a needle three holes from the end of line of pre-punch holes. Pull the thread through the hole so you have equal lengths of thread on each side.

9.  Insert needle in the next hole (closest to the end of the line of holes) and pull through hole.

 

10.  Flip leather over and insert other needle into the same hole and pull through hole.

 

11.  You should have equal lengths of thread on either side of the leather. Pull each strand tight to set stitch.

12.  Continue one more stitch to the end. Then backstitch over the two holes you have already stitched and continue the rest of the way around the pocket. Note: The purpose of the two backstitches is to strengthen the ends.

 

13. When you reach the end, backstitch two stitches (like you did at the beginning) and cut the threads. There is no need to tie a knot, as the backstitching will secure the thread and prevent unraveling.

14.  Stitch other pocket and credit card divider.
15.  Insert passport and credit cards. Go traveling!

 

Copyright 2011 Jepsen LeatherGoods LLC Madison, WI 

....................................................................

Visit Jepsen LeatherGoods LLC online:

shop: http://www.jepsenleathergoods.com/shop

website:http://www.jepsenleathergoods.com 

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jepsen-LeatherGoods-LLC/129323123810740

poppytalk handmade:  http://poppytalkhandmade.com/table43

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Best of DIYs | Woven Trivet by Bookhou

Today we're featuring another lovely project that Arounna Khounnoraj of bookhou did for us back in 2011 and another project that I think would be fun to do out on the deck or at the picnic table this summer. I love the salvage she used from her sewing projects, makes for some great texture and color.  Check it out below!


DIY With Bookhou: Woven Trivet

I have been collecting the selvage from my sewing projects and thought this was a fun way to use the material to create a nice trivet or little mat. if you don't have selvage scraps you can use and old shirt or pants and cut up strips to use. wool sweaters are really nice after the project you can wash it in hot water and it will felt nicely. this is also a nice project for kids.

What you need:
-four pieces of stretcher frame (I used 10 in.) - hammering into a scrap piece of wood works good too.
-nails and hammer
-scissors (not shown in picture)
-cardboard approx. 1.5 x 5 in. (not shown in picture)
-cut up scrap fabric (I used selvage that I have been collecting)

CONTINUE READING...

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Best of DIYs | Paper Cut-Inspired Wall Hanging

Last fall Rachel of Penelope and Pip came up with this pretty wall hanging idea with a paper cut feel to it. I love the fabric she used (floral and denim) and think this little project would be a fun summer DIY to maybe make for a dorm or kids room!  Check it out!

DIY: Paper Cut-Inspired Wall  Hanging
by Penelope and Pip.

I've been noticing a lot of lovely paper cut posters being pinned lately and thought it would be fun to make a fabric wall hanging with a paper cut feel.

The best part of this project is you could swap out the quote for any of your favourite inspirational sayings and the sky is the limit with your fabric choices too!

Let's get started with materials:

Materials:

1. Floral fabric (I used 1 yard)
2. Double sided fusible interfacing + iron
3. Denim fabric
4. Neon string
5. Scissors
6. Rotary cutter + mat
7. Ruler (optional)
8. Pencil
9. 2 x dowel pieces 

 Once you have grabbed these materials, it's time to create your fabric cut inspired masterpiece!

Step 1: Decide how big you want your wall hanging and cut all of your fabric to size, including the double sided interfacing.

It is a good idea to check your dowel size is slightly large than what your wall hanging will be.

Once you've cut your fabric, iron the interfacing to the back side of the floral fabric.

Step 2: You will need to work out how your quote will fit on your fabric and decide what type of font you want to use.

This step takes a bit of playing around and as you can see above, I decided to practise with some cut out letters first.

I used my own handwriting for mine as I wanted to create a handmade feel, but you could use any font you want. 

Remember to leave some room at the top of the fabric to turn over and sew for your dowel rods to fit through.

Step 3: Assemble your wall hanging!

Firstly, iron the floral fabric cut out onto the denim as this will make your wall hanging lovely and stiff. This is where the double sided interfacing comes in handy as there is no gluing.

You could just omit this part if you want your hanging to be see through.

Then, sew a little hem over the top and bottom so the dowel can fit through. If you don't have a sewing machine, just use some more interfacing.

Attach your neon string to the top dowel on either side and you are ready to hang.
 

This lovely wall hanging will be sure to inspire you every day!

_______________________

Rachael is an illustrator from Brisbane, Australia and is the creator of the whimsical world of Penelope and Pip. You can sneak a peek at her illustrations and see what other projects and adventures are inspiring her on her blog too.

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Best of DIYs | Make a Wallet from a Cowboy Boot!

Back in 2011 we featured a really cool tutorial from the talented Alicia Jepsen of Jepsen LeatherGoods LLC.  In the past she has offered up instructions on how to make a leather passport holder (which we loved), and then followed it with one of my favourite DIYs on the blog, making a wallet out of a cowboy boot!  Yup, that's right, a cowboy boot! So fun, yes? Check it out!



Make a Wallet from a Cowboy Boot!
Guest tutorial post by Jepsen LeatherGoods

What You Need:

• one cowboy boot
• waxed linen thread (~70” long)
• scratch awl
• stitching awl
• cutting mat
• ruler
• scissors
• rotary cutter
• seam ripper
• 2 craft needles (~2 3/8” long)

*Many of these items are available from your local craft store.
 Time: ~ 2 hours (plus overnight drying time)




1.  Cut the top part of the boot off.  

CONTINUE READING...

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Best of DIYs | Veneer Pendant Lighting

Back in 2011 Holly of The Adventures of an Almost 40 Year Old Intern contacted me about a fun pendant light DIY she had made.  The result was this cute little set shown here and how fun that there was a similar one you could buy at West Elm, about a year later.   Continuing with our Best of DIYs, here is her popular tutorial that she so kindly shared with our readers back then.

Veneer Pendant Lights 
by Holly of The Adventures of an Almost 40 Year Old Intern

Recently I visited one of my favorite stationery stores in town and saw these beautiful wooden sheets of paper; a thin veneer made from so many different types of wood (cherry, walnut, birds eye maple, aspen, red cedar, you name it!) and was really inspired by it.  I thought it would be perfect for creating a light fixture (clearly I am on a lighting kick lately!)  So, I made some (two of them to be exact) and I didn't think it was possible but I love these just as much as my brass pendant diy!

If you like what you see above, here are the directions on how to create your own: 

Materials needed:

• sheets of  11x17" two ply wooden paper (for the smaller lamp i used 1 sheet of birds eye maple and 1 of red cedar and 1 of walnut and for the larger i used 3 1/2 sheets of the cherry)
• 2 embroidery rings
• 1 piece of basswood measuring 1/16" x 4" x 24"
•  glue (E-6000 is my favorite)
•  bulldog clips (i used both size 0 and 1)
• x-acto knife (i used size #2)
• pencil
• measuring tape
• long ruler or straight edge to cut against
• pendant light 

Larger Pendant

Start with two embroidery hoops, one measuring 12" diameter and the other 5" diameter (I only used the fully formed hoop and did not use the outer hoop with the metal hardware attached).  Cut 4 pieces of the paper measuring 1" wide and 11" long.  Measure the hoops and divide them into 4 equal parts and and mark each. then attach each piece of the wood strip to the top and bottom with glue and cover each end with bulldog clips until it sets 

While that part is drying cut 1" strips of paper that are each 17" long.  Note: I was careful to keep them in order because I wanted the wood grain to match when i glued them.

Begin attaching the wooden paper to the large hoop first. as you attach them, line them up with the top of the hoop, clip the outside of each piece in order to hold it. note: i ended up buying and using a bunch more clips than I started with in order to be more efficient with my time.

After finishing with the large hoop, move on to attaching each end to the smaller one. Note: here I had to overlap the strips of paper in order for it to fit onto the smaller hoop. I was careful to keep the grain lined up.

 Once dry, use a 17" long 1" wide strip of paper to wrap around the outside of the smaller hoop to cover glue and seams and use two 17" strips to wrap around the outside of the larger hoop.  To create the piece that will hold your pendant, trace the inside and outside of your smaller hoop onto a piece of basswood. Use your straight edge to draw a line from the inner hoop tracing from corner to corner to find the center of the piece. This is where you will draw a circle large enough to thread your pendant wire through (should be big enough to allow the plug to pass through).

Cut where you traced the outside edge of your hoop as well as the circle in the center .  Slide the piece into the top of your fixture from the bottom.  You shouldn't need glue as it will be stable with your paper strips holding it.

Smaller Pendant

The directions are the same but instead of using a large and a small hoop, I used 2 small hoops. Also instead of using one type of wooden paper i used 2; instead of 1" strips that were 17" long I cut 1 1/2" strips;  and I used 2 short braces instead of 4.

For these lights I am using a super duper low wattage bulb. I did order fire retardant spray to apply to them as a precaution but it didn't arrive in time for this post so I don't know if it will affect the wood.

For those of you just tuning in and wanting to know more about Holly  you can by visit here here and on facebook and twitter! 

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Best of DIYs | Easy Tiny Envelopes

Two years ago we ran across Ruth Bleakley's work and asked her if she'd do a DIY for us.  She sent over this easy (and adorable, we might add) envelope project that has become one our most favourite on the blog. It's a clever idea for making a template that could be translated using any size envelope. If you missed it, here it is:

Easy Tiny Envelopes
By Ruth Bleakley

I discovered this envelope making method completely by accident when pulling soggy rain-soaked mail out of my leaky mailbox - I had a total *eureka* moment when the envelope I gingerly opened up completely unfolded at the seams revealing an envelope "template" perfectly.

I've seen many envelope tutorials online, some offer downloadable templates, some show fancy paper folding techniques and some suggest specific measurements to create your own D.I.Y. envelopes. I'm going to show you how to replicate any interesting envelope that you might already have, no measuring involved!

1. Choose an envelope you already have that you like the size and shape of

2. Soak it in a bowl of water (lukewarm is probably best) for about one minute, or until the glue releases from the paper easily. It will not take as long as you think!

3. Pat the now unfolded envelope dry - it doesn't have to be completely dry, just not drippy - and trace it onto a thin piece of cardboard - chipboard works well, as would something like a cereal box. Try to be accurate at this stage and trace neatly.

4. Cut the template out with a pair of scissors, and you may want to label it so that in the future you (or whoever you live with) won't say "what is this strange piece of cardboard?" and toss it out!

5. Use your new wonderful template to trace out an envelope design on any and all types of paper! Think gift wrap, maps, magazines, old calenders, stamped cardstock - you name it! I like to trace using pencil on the side that will be the inside so the marks won't show.

6. Carefully cut out your envelope with scissors and fold it up - I like to do the sides first, then use the folded sides as a guide on where to fold the top and bottom. Use the handle of your scissors or a bone folder for really crisp edges.

7. Use a glue tape roller  to stick your envelope together, or glue stick but I find glue stick gets brittle after just a few months, go ahead and get a glue tape roller, they're like $5 and you can find them in the adhesive section of an office supply store or craft store.

8. *Bonus Points* if you've ever wanted to be able to lick and stick your envelope flaps, check out this Lick& Stick glue I originally bought from Paper Source (they don't seem to carry it anymore). If you can't find it, you can also D.I.Y. your own envelope glue (2x craft bonus points!)

9. Ta-da! Admire your finished work! Ideas for use include: penpal & swap envelopes, gift card envelopes & storing small things in your studio - if you happen to make some yourself, I'd LOVE to see them! Post a link in the comments.

Ruth Bleakley is a paper addict who probably became a bookbinder soley as an excuse to obtain more paper. She lives on Cape Cod and also designs nautical invitations and stationery (more paper!) under the name Concertina Press.

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Best of DIYs | Polymer gift tags

Continuing on with our Best of DIYs this summer, I loved this project by Mitsy of the lovely shop and blog ArtMind . These polymer gift tags were initially made for a Valentine's feature, but could be made into pendants, wedding favours, etc.  Check out her amazing tutorial below:

CONTINUE READING...

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Best of DIYs | Getting Crafty in Chinatown

This was a fun little DIY by Janis Nicolay of Pinecone Camp, where we took to Chinatown looking for things to make under $25.  With my love right now for all things Chinoiserie, I thought this craft had to be revisited for our Best of DIYs series this summer.  I think Janis has been onto something all along. 

Contributor post by Janis Nicolay of Pinecone Camp

I recently had a little Chinatown adventure with the lovely Jan of Poppytalk. I was on a mission to find little bits of happiness to create a few crafty projects, and my budget was $25. Chinatown, as I've mentioned on my blog, is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Vancouver, and my go-to place for a quick pick-me-up like a coconut bun (huh, yum) or a pair of sparkly slippers.

Not sure what these were meant to be used for, but I wanted to make trays out of them.  I had a few sample pots of paint at home, so I picked up some wrapping paper that would work with the paint I had. The total for this project was about $12, and I have heaps of extra wrapping paper left.

Trio of trays "before".

Trio of trays "after".


All of the materials for the small tray. I had a scrap of another paper that I thought looked cute with the bird paper.

After a light sanding, I applied 2 coats of paint. Once dried, I glued down the paper, let dry and applied several coats of Mod Podge (though you could use a watered down white glue). Voila! This tray is about 10"x10".

I love a mix of plants as a table centre piece. I bought 3 soup bowls and 3 small plants. The total was $6 for everything.





Place a few pebbles in the bottom of a soup bowl (for drainage), add a plant and you have a pretty centre piece. So easy and inexpensive.

Next up are place card vases. Chinatown has so many cute writing pads with fun graphic covers. After tearing off the cover for the tray, I cut the lower part of the paper to fit a small jar. Using double sided  tape on either end of cut out, I attached it to the jar. Cost for this project was about 75 cents.




Last project is a side table for my nephew, Jake. I had a lonely little table/stool, that I think was from Ikea. With some leftover paint (Benjamin Moore's "cloud 9"), I applied two coats to the table then let it dry completely, over night.  It felt great to use up that paint.




As Jake likes maps and planes, I cut up an old road map and used a cover of a writing pad for the top of the table. Cost for this project was about $2 plus the table (which I paid 0 for).

I actually spent less than $25 and still have heaps of paper left.  Thanks Jan, for hanging out with me in Chinatown. It was so much fun!

All crafts and images by Janis Nicolay of Pinecone Camp.

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