I always wonder what my customers are up to and sometimes I am lucky enough to find out. Here are a couple of projects done by a customer using some adjustable plastic straps (I am a shiny metal nut so I don’t carry plastic findings at this time). This same type of project can, of course, be made using metal slides to create an adjustable straps.
I always love to see what my customers are up to. This bag was made by OLORIAS. This fabric was originally purchased to make accessories for her friend Susannah. As luck has it, Susannah rescues cats. Susannah had placed a cat in a local nursery and was missing him terribly so OLORIAS decided to cheer her up with this animal oriented fabric. OLORIAS then used the left over material to make this bag. I love the color coordination and the shiny metal fittings. I am a sucker for anything shiny (most women are) and that’s part of the reason why I am in the business of metal bag fittings.
The bag pattern is an adaptation of a pattern of Heather Bailey from her book Smarty Girl Book Bag. OLORIAS added some creative changes in the strap. See the 2″ spring hooks and 1″ d rings?
This backpack is so beautiful! What first struck me is the fabric! So I made my complement of awe to Stephanie and do you know what she said? This fabric is just plain canvas. But….. Stephanie spent hours painting the canvas to make it just right.
You can see in the second picture just how she created the flowers on the flap and the backside.
Oh. and look at all the hardware she used: swivel clips, d rings, rivets/grommets, and plastic slides.
This project was well planned so you can only guess how long it took to make? 12 hours! Wow, what patience. (I can imagine this does not include the shopping time to pick out all the supplies.) The bag is a little smaller than a regular backpack, about 12″ wide and 16″ tall. Stephanie plans to use it for the summer and made it just large enough to fit her sketchbook, sweater and water bottle.
Stephanie is the woman behind Soluci where she provides a little bit of handmade, vintage, and craft items.
(If you’d like your craft project featured on Tantalizing Stitches, please contact el@tantalizingstitches.com .)
Here are a two very detailed tutorials on how to make an adjustable strap. Creating an adjustable strap is a little tricky because you have to weave in both the adjustable slide and rectangle ring in the correct position. However, these two tutorials do a great job in explaining when and how to weave in the adjustable slide and rectangle ring.
Materials:
If you are a very visual person, this is a great youtube video created by Homespun Threads.
If you like step by step written instructions, I have found this tutorial at DIY Bag Patterns very nicely written up.
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At Tantalizing Stitches, you can find bag making supplies such as rectangle rings, slides, o rings, d rings, and much more. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact el@tantalizingstitches.com.
Key rings are so simple yet so complicated. Deciding on the finish is only the first step. Then, you need to decide on the size.
Its easy to size out your key rings when you have them in your hand since you can tell if you like the size. However, there are several measurements you must consider before shopping online.
There are three measurements, two of which can be used to calculate the third measurement. These are:
Although the picture to the left is an O ring, it will help visualize the various measurements I am referring to.
If you like mathematics then you can see that:
[outside diameter] = [inside diameter] + 2x[gauge].
Don’t forget that you have to add the gauge twice because we are measuring the diameter. (At one point I had only added it in once, causing me massive confusion.)
When I first started TS, I did not realize there was an inside and outside diameter. So, when I switched suppliers I accidentally ordered slightly larger key rings. After speaking with my supplier, I realized it was because my previous supplier spoke in regards to the outside diameter while my new supplier described items in terms of inside diameter. Most people simply speak of “diameter” so if you are looking for an exact size key ring, make sure you ask whether they are referring to the inside or outside diameter.
So now, in terms of TS key rings, here are the sizes (based on inside diameter) and finishes we provide:
If you are looking for a larger or smaller key ring, please email el@tantalizingstitches.com . We are gradually increasing our selection and would love to hear what you are looking for.
The not so new fad are these clever FOB sets. They can be used as an extension of your key chain for easy identification or, if long enough, as an easy way to carry your keys (anything in my hands are immediately placed somewhere and never to be found.)
Some people also use the FOB kit to create the strap part of the wristlet.
The FOB kit is easily assembled. To make a basic fob, choose your choice of 1.25″ cotton webbing. (For more personality, sew a ribbon onto the cotton webbing.)
Fold the webbing in half (if you added ribbon, make sure the ribbon faces outwards.)
Then, sandwich the webbing inside the flat area of the Key Fob Hardware.
Use pliars to close shut. (You may want to protect the metal by covering it with scrap fabric to prevent the pliars from scratching it.)
It takes practice but the end result is your own very key FOB.
If you don’t feel like making one (or perhaps you don’t have all those unique webbing, ribbons, or embroidery machine, check out Paper on Parade on Zibbet. She has a great selection of sizes and styles that you’ll love.
As we approach the holiday season, TS thought it fitting to extend the gift of giving to animals dear to our heart. Due to Pam’s recent blog post about The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, TS has extended its donation to animal charity to 10% to the Elephant Sanctuary from November 5 to January 5.
This sales campaign applies to the TS store, TS Artfire, TS Etsy, and TS Zibbet.
This sales campaign originally started as a sale in conjunction with SFEtsy so come and check out the other SFEtsy sales by searching for “SFholiday” on etsy.
I’ve been wanting to make some ribbon belts to match my Josie Cloche and was about to purchase 1.5″ d rings, since I do not yet supply them in my Tantalizing Stitches store. However, I got to thinking, why not try the 1.5″ rectangle rings? Well I did and I love them. Take a look.
Aren’t these little magnets cool? You can make a closure and never see it. But…. how do you install them?????
Well, I was going to create an instruction on how to do this but Linda Matthews has done such a great job that I will just direct you to her site here and here.
Also, Christine suggests another way to install invisible magnetic snaps here.
If you have additional suggestions on how to install these magnets please let me know. When I get enough suggestions, I will do a round up on the different techniques.
I often receive questions about the best way to install pronged magnetic snaps. To this end, I have written many emails and messages about the same subject but failed to make it easy on both you and me by posting my answer online. Awhile ago I re-wrote the directions on Answers.com and thought it would be even easier if I provided this information on my own website.
I wrote this answer to the question:
How do you sew magnetic snaps onto a purse or handbag?
There are a couple of different types of magnetic snaps but the most popular type is the prong type. One set comes with a female part (its magnetic with a dimple in the middle), a male part (non-magnetic and fits in the female part), and two washers to secure the parts in place.
The instructions really depend on where you decide to install this snap. In general, make sure that you only intend to have the magnetic side showing as the opposite side looks very unappealing. Most people install these into the lining of the bag so if you do, make sure to install these before you sew the lining on.
First, you need to determine where you want to install the snaps. To do this, align the washers on the fabric where you want your snap and place a mark on the back side of your fabric. These marks are where you will make slits so that the prongs of the snaps can fit in place.
Second, make slits on the marks you made. I suggest making the slits smaller than necessary because if you make them too large, your snaps will move around and will not be so secure. Also, many people apply different techniques to prevent ripping of the slits. (The tear is caused by the pulling apart of the strong magnetic snaps – the tear is usually at the bottom of the slit). Some people treat the slits as button holes and sew the slits that way. If you do this, make sure that sewing you do cannot be seen and is hidden behind the snap.
Other techniques include applying interfacing (I suggest the iron on). If you do this, I suggest ironing the interfacing on and then cutting the slits.
I’ve also used plastic canvas as support. I cut a piece of plastic canvas that is larger than the washer and stick the piece in between the fabric and washer.
As the previous author suggested, Fray Check could also be used. Just make sure that you don’t end up gluing the wrong things together.
Third, install the female or male part by placing the piece on the good side of your fabric so that the prongs end up on the back side of the fabric. Then, place the washer over the prongs and fold the prongs toward the center. I suggest using pliers to fold the prongs over.
Make sure everything is nice and snug and repeat to install the second part.
