Hellooooo!
I know I haven’t done a DIY for you guys in a little while (my bad, life has been Busy with a capital B), but I’m sure you’ll forgive me when you see what I’ve cooked up for today :)
Feast your eyes on these cuties!
Materials:
- Pouch Template
(Get the 2-tone pouch template in A4 and LETTER, or the single colour pouch template in A4, or LETTER)
- Faux-leather
- Fabric scissors
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Ball head screwback studs (if you’re in Singapore, I found them at People’s Park China Town, if you’re not, try searching Amazon or Etsy).
- Sewing machine and thread
- Pinking Shears (optional)
- Permanent paint markers (optional)
- Bull-dog clips (optional)
Some things to keep in mind:
– Before you start, do some test runs on your sewing machine with the faux-leather. I found that the metallic leather was great to sew on either side, but the green and brown only worked when the material side was facing up. It’ll differ for you, so it’s best to test it first – the way it sews might determine which colours you use where.
- Because the leather won’t fray, unfinished edges are A-ok!
Step 1.
Print out the template, and cut out each piece. Feel free to make adjustments! You can make it whatever size you want, make the front flap longer/shorter, finish the edge or not. Up to you.
Step 2.
Lay your leather face-down and trace the pattern piece/s onto the back. Cut them out. Keep in mind that 1 cm (0.4″) seams are already accounted for.
Step 3.
If you’re going to hem the top edge of the pouch, do it now. Just fold it down about 8mm (1/4″) and sew in place.
Next, if you’re doing the 2-tone pouch, place the the two sides together, keeping in mind that it will be turned inside-out (so be careful about which colour is facing in and which is facing out).
If you’re just doing a one-colour pouch, fold the leather in half lining up the bottom edge with the two bits that stick out. I’m getting really technical with my wording here. Hopefully the photos below will help.
Step 4.
Ignoring the top flap for the moment, sew the two pieces together 1cm from the edge. If you’re having trouble keeping the two sides together, use bull-dog clips to hold them. It’s best not to use pins because they leave holes.
If you’re doing the 2-toned pouch, sew both sides and the bottom. If you’re doing the one-colour pouch, just sew the two sides.
Step 5.
Using pinking shears (or scissors) trim each seam fairly close to the stitching. Trim corners.
Step 6.
Turn pouch right-side out. Fold the top flap in half vertically with the underside out. Mark the spot you’d like your closure stud to be with a pencil. Carefully snip a little cross on that spot, but be careful not to make it too big.
Step 7.
Now close the flap over the front of your pouch and poke a pencil through the little cross you just made, marking a spot on the pouch front. Snip another little cross on the point you just marked, and stick the screw base (from the stud) through the hole from the inside. Screw on the ball head.
Now close your pouch and admire your amazing work! And then go make lots more :)
As an alternative too, feel free to get creative with your leather! Permanent paint markers work beautifully for creating pretty patterns. Again – best to do a test first. :)
Fun right? What will you do with yours?