Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Creations!

Okay so it has been quite a while but I have completed my task in constructing the simple clutch.
If only I had a sewing machine in the first place and extra time in my day it would've been done sooner....but better now than never!

During this whole time I actually created four things.  Three of which are the same and the other was my original goal.

The first to be completed:
Leather Journals  

 Apologies for the quality in this photo.  I didn't feel like setting up my table and lights but at least it shows what it is.  

So the journal on the far right was the first one I created and after assembling the last two I decided that I'm going to redo the clasping on the first one to just string since it looks cleaner and much nicer.

Step 1: Buy leather. 
I got my leather from Tandy Leather and boy oh boy do they have great deals.  I got a piece  almost as big as a yard...maybe bigger? for only $20.  It's a nice material and I believe it was  labeled down as fashion leather or trendy leather...not too sure but somewhere along those  lines.  

Step 2: Cut out piece.


Step 3: Cut out paper.  
Doesn't really matter on what you use honestly just personal preferences.  I used some  sketching paper since I had some laying around and I don't like how thin printer paper is.


Step 4: Bind the paper however you would like. 
I binded them by sewing a 1/4" section at the top of the fold and the at the bottom.

Step 5: Sewing the leather cover and paper together.
Basically doing the same thing with the same holes that were made while binding the paper together.

Step 6: The clasp.
I cut out a long thin piece of leather may around an 1/8" thick, enough for it to wrap around the book three times, and I just sewed it onto the front of the cover like in the bottom picture.


READ

If there is excess paper hanging out just pull the leather cover the other way hold the paper together and cut off however much you need with an exacto knife.  and your book should be done!


Second project (aka original project):
Pleather Clutch


Hand for comparison


Zipper


The lining 

Here's the video that helped me alot with making this bag.





Tuesday, December 23, 2014

First Time Mess Ups.

Okay so I attempted at making the leather clutch yesterday for the first time.  It did not turn out too well.  I was trying to figure out how to sew lining in a bag.....without the help of a video.

First recommendation: If you are a beginner in sewing even if you know just the basics to sewing, watch a video on how to do lining if you are attempting to do this bag.

Regretting on the material I wasted attempting to do this and figuring it out on my own.  Now my second try will be with a video.  So lets hope it turns out a little better.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Next Project

So the next project that I will be attempting is two-toned clutches.



Much like the ones in the pictures, but a little bit smaller.  Small enough to hold a phone and cash.  They don't seem to be all that difficult, so hopefully they will turn out nicely. 

I want to craft them in really nice quality but if they do not turn out right I probably won't post them up.

Right now I'm dying the pleather to the colors I want to use.  

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Dying Fake Leather

Hello Night Crawlers,

First post of an item that I have created.  I attempted on dying fake leather and it worked!  There is probably a much quicker way to dye pleather...but I will show you guys anyway.

The items I used:
- Acrylic paint
- Water
- Fake Leather in white
- A wash towel
- A brush (optional)

All I did was add water to the Acrylic paint to where it was thick but also watery...you don't want it to be too thin or else it will be a much longer process because of all the layers you will have to apply ( depends on how dark you would want it)



Then I took my wash towel dipped it in the mixture and rubbed it on the piece of pleather.  After covering the whole piece, I took a dry part of my towel and wiped away the excess.

And that is basically the whole process.
I used a brush and it made the application a bit quicker.  However instead of wiping the excess right away I let the layer dry on the piece for a bit and then wiped the excess off.


This way is long because of the many layers, but it works and it doesn't rub off with water.


And here are the finished products.  They come out sheer and slightly blotchy, but just be careful and add many layers.

Friday, December 12, 2014

Starting

Hello Public People,

It has been quite a while since I have last posted on this blog.  However, I should be posting much more from now on...hopefully.  This new start that I am now introducing will be the start of a crafting and building journey.  So...enjoy!