Handmade Chic: Fashionable Projects That Look High-End, Not Homespun
208
Handmade Chic: Fashionable Projects That Look High-End, Not Homespun
208eBook
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Overview
Packed with Laura's signature flair and finesse, vibrant four-color photos, step-by-step drawings, and a complete list of suggestions on where to purchase materials, Handmade Chic is an accessible guide to at-home crafting that is elegant enough for the most modern, fashion-savvy of women.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781609613013 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Harmony/Rodale |
| Publication date: | 01/31/2012 |
| Sold by: | Random House |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 208 |
| Sales rank: | 321,879 |
| File size: | 9 MB |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
Section I
SMALL LUXURIES
In the movie Steel Magnolias, actress Olympia Dukakis declares, "The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize." I'm not sure that accessories are the best gauge of evolutionary advancement, but they definitely bring out the differences between one person and another. You can give the same simple dress to five women and I assure you, once they add accessories, their looks will be totally different. The projects in this section give you the opportunity to personalize your most essential, everyday garments. Many of them are small enough to be made from a leather or heavy-weight fabric item you already have, so think about recycling an old bag or belt.
The projects in this section are small and easy to manage, but the cutting, sewing, adhering, and hardware installation required for them are the basic skills and techniques needed to complete even the most complex projects in the book. You will see that these simple forms and techniques become the basis for more advanced designs. For tips, tricks, and general questions about creating leather accessories, refer to Working with Leather on page 2.
BUSINESS CARD HOLDER
Make an impression in the business world with this simple but elegant business card holder. This straightforward project will help you become familiar with cutting and sewing leather. Use a piece of leather with a bit of body--something with the stiffness of cereal box-weight cardboard--for professional-looking results.
MATERIALS
1/2 square foot 3-ounce leather
3M 465 adhesive transfer tape
Gum tragacanth or acrylic paint
Heavy-duty or all-purpose thread
TOOLS
Sewing machine
Size 14 or 16 leather sewing machine needles
Snap blade cutter
Self-healing cutting mat
Metal straight edge
MAKING THE BUSINESS CARD HOLDER
1. Using the Business Card Holder pattern (see page 28) and a pen, trace 1 front and 1 back onto the wrong side of the leather. Use a snap blade cutter, cutting mat, and straight edge to cut out the two pieces.
2. On the wrong side of the front piece, apply a 1/4" strip of adhesive transfer tape along the sides and bottom. Burnish the tape and peel off the paper backing.
3. Placing wrong sides together, adhere the front piece to the back piece. Use your sewing machine to topstitch along the sides and bottom, 1/8" from the edge, back-tacking where you start and finish stitching.
4. Finish the edges of the leather by rubbing them with gum tragacanth or by applying acrylic paint.
BUSINESS CARD HOLDER PATTERN (FRONT / BACK) (shown at 100%)
KEY RING TAB
Keep your keys together in style with this classic Key Ring Tab. Pair it with the Business Card Holder (page 26) and you have the perfect gift set for a business associate or for a recent graduate just entering the workforce.
MATERIALS
6" x 2 1/2" piece 3-ounce leather
3M 465 adhesive transfer tape
Gum tragacanth or acrylic paint
Heavy-duty or all-purpose thread
Metal split key ring
TOOLS
Sewing machine
Size 14 or 16 leather sewing machine needles
Snap blade cutter
Self-healing cutting mat
Metal straight edge
MAKING THE KEY RING TAB
1. Use a ruler to find the midpoint of the 6" side of the piece of leather, and draw a line across the wrong side of the leather. Trace the Key Ring Tab pattern (next page) on one half of the wrong side of the leather.
2. Apply adhesive transfer tape to cover the traced tab, leaving the upper loop. Burnish the tape and peel off the paper backing.
3. Fold the leather along the line drawn in step 1, and press to adhere the tape. Retrace the Key Ring Tab pattern on the right side of the leather, lining up the top edge of the tab pattern with the fold in the leather.
4. Starting in the middle of a long side, stitch 1/8" from the edge around all sides. End by overlapping three or four stitches.
5. Use a snap blade cutter, cutting mat, and straight edge to cut out the tab. Finish the edges of the leather by rubbing them with gum tragacanth or by applying acrylic paint. Insert the metal split key ring.
KEY RING TAB PATTERN (shown at 100%)
KEY RING TASSEL
If you are looking for something more feminine and designer chic than the basic Key Ring Tab (page 29), try this super simple tassel. I recommend using a soft, thin leather, such as lambskin or calfskin, to prevent the stem from getting too bulky.
MATERIALS
13" x 3" strip of Ultrasuede
3M 465 adhesive transfer tape
Heavy-duty or all-purpose thread
Metal split key ring
Gum tragacanth or acrylic paint
TOOLS
Sewing machine
Size 14 or 16 leather sewing machine needles
Snap blade cutter
Self-healing cutting mat
Metal straight edge
Sharp scissors
MAKING THE KEY RING TASSEL
1. Using a snap blade cutter, cutting mat, and straight edge, cut a rectangle of leather 3" x 13". On the wrong side of the leather, draw a line 1/2" from one long edge. (This will be the top edge of the tassel.) Then draw a vertical line 2 1/2" from the right edge.
2. Cut away the smaller rectangle formed by these lines.
3. On the wrong side of the Ultrasuede, draw guidelines every inch or so.
4. With a pair of sharp scissors, cut the folded Ultrasuede into thin strips approximately 1/8" wide. Stop at the 1/2" mark. (I usually cut the 1/8" strips by sight to avoid excessive pen markings on the leather.)
5. Cut a strip of Ultrasuede 1" x 4 3/4". Apply adhesive transfer tape to the entire wrong side. Burnish the tape and peel off the paper backing, and fold the piece in half lengthwise. Stitch 1/8" from the folded edge. Trim close to the stitching.
6. Fold the stitched strip in half and sew it to the upper left edge of the tassel body. This will form a loop after the tassel is completed. Apply a 1/2" strip of adhesive transfer tape along the entire length of the 1/2" section. Burnish the tape and peel off the paper backing.
7. Starting at the loop end, carefully roll up the tassel, keeping the top edge neat as you roll.
8. Insert the metal split key ring through the loop.
EYEGLASSES CASE WITH VARIATIONS
This pretty case is roomy enough for your eyeglasses and your sunglasses to cohabitate, or it will fit one pair of the biggest, most glamorous movie star glasses you can find. The basic project is simple, yet totally versatile. Just change the dimensions to make it larger or smaller, and try different hardware for endless variations: makeup bag, cell phone holder, or clutch. Using this simple construction technique, you are sure to come up with a handmade gift for everyone on your list.
MATERIALS
1 square foot 3-ounce leather
3M 465 adhesive transfer tape
Twist turn-lock hardware
Heavy-duty or all-purpose thread
Gum tragacanth or acrylic paint
TOOLS
Sewing machine
Size 14 or 16 leather sewing machine needles
Snap blade cutter
Self-healing cutting mat
Metal straight edge
Screwdriver
MAKING THE EYEGLASSES CASE
1. Use a snap blade cutter, cutting mat, and straight edge to cut one 8" x 10 3/4" piece of leather for the body and one 8" x 3 1/2" piece of leather for the cover lining.
2. Apply adhesive transfer tape to the entire wrong side of the cover- lining piece (the smaller rectangle). Burnish the tape and peel off the paper backing. Adhere the cover lining to the body piece along one 8" edge, aligning carefully.
3. Apply a 1/4" strip of adhesive transfer tape to the body sides. Fold the body bottom edge up to just cover the lining edge.
4. Beginning at the folded edge, stitch side seams 1/8" from the raw edges. Back-tack where you finish stitching. Turn the case over and topstitch the cover flap 1/8" from the edge. Be careful to align your starting and ending stitches with the side stitches.
5. Working on the wrong side of the leather, mark the center of the flap. Place the bottom turn-lock plate there, positioning it 3/8" from the edge. Trace the opening in the plate. Remove the plate, use a snap blade cutter to cut out the opening, and install the turn-lock hardware using a small screwdriver to connect the bottom plate to the top plate.
6. Fold the cover flap down and mark the placement of the turn portion of the lock. Use a snap blade cutter to cut slots for the hardware. Insert a piece of cardboard or the corner of a self-healing cutting mat to avoid going through to the bottom layer of leather. Insert the twist turn-lock, place the backplate on the wrong side of the leather, and fold the prongs outward. Finish the exposed edges with gum tragacanth or acrylic paint.
7. Cut a piece of leather large enough to cover the backplate and prongs on the inside of your case. Cover the wrong side of the leather with adhesive transfer tape. Burnish the tape and peel off the paper backing. Adhere the leather over the hardware inside the case to prevent your glasses from being scratched.
8. Now change the proportions or the hardware, and make a variation of your own!
Variations:
MAKE A CLUTCH
Use a 9" x 16" piece of leather for the body and a 9" x 5" piece of leather for the lining. If you would like to add a chain, stitch a 15" length of chain to each side at the fold. To add some color to the center of the clutch, stitch a 1" wide strip of leather in a contrasting color to the center of the body piece before you sew the side seams.
MAKE A CELL PHONE CASE
Use a 3 1/4" x 13" piece of leather for the body and a 3 1/4" x 3" piece of leather for the lining.
MAKE A MAKEUP BRUSH CASE
Use a 2 3/4" x 18" piece of leather for the body and a 2 3/4" x 3 3/4" piece of leather for the lining.
Table of Contents
Introduction vi
Materials and Techniques 2
Sewing 17
Small Luxuries 22
Section I
Business Card Holder 26
Key Ring Tab 29
Key Ring Tassel 32
Eyeglasses Case With Variations 36
Zipper Pouch 42
Classic Chain Belt 45
Wide Cuff Bracelet With Belt Variation 48
Drop Lock Bracelet With Belt Variation 52
Wrap bracelet with belt variation 56
Fashionably Organized 60
Section II
Book Cover 64
Push Lock Laptop Envelope 67
Quilted Laptop Case 76
Checkbook Cover 84
Fup Notebook 88
Refillable Notepad 91
E-Tablet Cover 95
E-Reader Cover 100
Smartphone Cover 105
Stylish Carryalls 110
Section III
Shopping Tote 114
Mink Across the Body Bag 120
Man's Billfold 124
Large Mink Hobo Bag 129
Drop Lock Wallet 133
Leather Day Clutch 141
Elegant Backpack 146
Equestrian Bag 151
Evening Extravagances 160
Section IV
Fade-Out Beaded Dress 164
Embelushed Shoes 168
Mink Sweater 170
Feathered Evening Clutch 178
Feathered Frame Bag 182
Bra Nightgown 188
Furry Slippers 192
Acknowledgments 198
Resources 199
Index 200