Tutorial - AMALIE Shopper

AMALIE - Shopper. This bag is the epitome of understated glamour. So easy to use, it will refresh any smart casual outfit, and thankfully  - Also very easy to make. Follow these instructions, step by step, and you will have this beauty on your arm at the end of it.

Good Luck!

1. Make the pattern, which consists of these pieces:

30x37cm, To pieces. 10x37cm, Two pieces. 10x30cm, One piece.

I always cut out all the pattern-pieces on paper first. That way I can easily see where and how I can place the pattern, and cut the leather in the most economic way, with as little waste as possible. Mark the pattern on the leather, and then cut out all the pieces. (I use a water-soluble gel pen for this, so I can easily remove the pen-marks when all is cut out)

2. Cut the handles to measure. The short straps are 14cm each. Cut two wholes as shown. Place the straps on top of the Biggest leather pieces (which are the front and back of the bag) Mark where the wholes are, and cut out corresponding wholes in the front and pack pieces. Fasten the straps with rivets. 3. Glue all the pieces together at the edges.

4.Punch wholes all the way around all the edges of the bag, with the wholepunch set to size 2,5. Approx 5mm from the edge and 5 mm from each other.

5.Crochet around the edges. 

6. Take the two long straps and cut two wholes in each end, use whole size no 4,5. These wholes should be placed 3.7 and 6,7 cm from the edge. Repeat on all ends. Cut out the bit of leather in between the wholes, so it makes a long oblong whole for the belt buckle. Put the belt buckle in place and punch two wholes through both layers and fasten with rivets. PS Don't forget to put on the Keepers before you fasten the belt buckle at the other end.

Punch 3 wholes in the short straps and fasten them to the long strap.

VOILA!!

How to Dye leather

Dyeing Leather

The best result when dyeing leather is to use natural hide to begin with. I love these croc - imitations, and the results with this leather is simply gorgeous.

Cut the size of leather you want to colour, and make sure you use a surface that can be cleaned properly after you have finished. I also recommend a pair of gloves...

The piece used here is the main piece (the "body") to the BRIDGET Bag. See separate tutorial to make the rest of the bag. Good Luck!!

Work in the colour by hand. Use a brush to get to the deepest parts of the imprints, to make sure it all gets coloured.

When you are happy with the result, let it dry overnight. And work in the "Super Shene Leather Finish" to lock in the colour. I do this twice, with approx. 24 hours in between the applications.

Finish by using a soft cloth to polish the whole piece and get some real and beautiful shine to it.

Made By Me

There is a new issue of Made By Me out now...


There are four very different bags in this magazine to make. They are all gorgeous and relatively easy to make. Tutorials will Follow!

Have FUN!

Sometimes it all goes a bit wrong...

It isn't always easy to get work done done with children around... Which is why I try to do most of it when they are in school and nursery.
My youngest however, normally finds his own ways of getting involved, and adding a personal touch.
A couple of days ago I was plaiting a couple of straps to go with a new biiig bag (coming soon...)
With that all done and very happy with the result, I left them on my desk ready to be attached to the bag. (not a wise move)
Especially since there was a bottle of window cleaner on the desk as well. A lot of window cleaner later and a very clean glass top resulted also in a very soaked strap, not at all suitable for a big, lush bag...

What to do??

After a little rummage around in my drawers, I found a suitable clasp/fastener to attach to the strap - and What was a stiff and slightly faded wrap, had been turned into a belt. (luckily the strap was the same width as my waist...)

Kjersti Willett

Personal business

We all want something special... And most retailers and fashion designers try to accommodate that by turning out one collection more desirable than the other. With handbags and small leather goods, you can take this even further. By making it personal. Most of the high end luxury labels have cottoned on and do personalise their product. Look at Lous Vuitton and their monogrammed history, or Anya Hindmarch and her bespoke range. Oozing of luxury!!

A personal touch can make something simple into something very special. So for my friend Terri, I decided to go all the way and make her something truly unique... Her is the result:

Happy Birthday Terri!!!

xxx

Vintage inspiration..

I have always loved vintage clothing and accessories. Actually I love anything with some history attached to it. And I love hunting for these little treasures as well. It used to be almost impossible to get me to drive past the odd car-boot sale in the country, but I have over the years relaxed and I now take the opportunity to go treasure hunting when when the occasion naturally arise, or I take the time and a pair of comfortable shoes to go "hunting" more locally.

There are plenty of places to find vintage jewellery and brooches in Central London too. Portobello market is probably the natural starting point, but I have also picked up some nice pieces in the tiny little market on in the courtyard of St James's Church on Piccadilly. It is an antiques market every Tuesday and there are quite a few stalls with some interesting vintage jewellery pieces to be found.

This little beauty was found amongst pottery and crockery of all sorts. I loved the feathers and the colours, of this brooch, which is enamelled probably from the 50's (I was told...)

I found some leather in similar colours at home and made this bag. This pattern is BEATRICE. Two different colours used.

Another day, another inspiration:

This little brooch was also put on a BEATRICE bag:



Please feel to enquire about the patterns, as I can easily email them on PDF files.

Lots of love
KJ