Simple Clutch Instructions
1 - Check you have everything in your kit:
- Pre-cut and Punched Leather Pieces
- 3 x Canvas Cloth for burnishing & protecting
- 2 x Binder Clips to help you stitch
- 4 x Colours of Handmade Waxed Thread
- 1 x Keyring Loop
- 2 x Sewing Needles
You will also need:
- Small pair of scissors
- A little pot of water
- Your quality time, 2-3 hours
2 - Measure the thread
Your simple clutch has 2 stitching sections, so you will need to cut 2 x 70cm length of thread. Start by choosing the thread colour that you would like to stitch with, then measure and cut the 70cm pieces of wax thread.
3 - Burnish the edges
Burnish the edges of the leather piece that don’t have any punched stitch holes.
4 - Attach sam browne stud
Place the Sam brown stud with the base above the hole on the top side of your leather piece. Use the small screw to fix it in place by screwing it into the stud from behind the hole on the back side of the leather.
5 - Thread the needles
- A. Thread the eye of the needle with one of the 70cm pieces of thread.
- B. Pull through 6-8cm of thread and then pierce the thread.
- C. Pierce the thread again at 1cm distance along the long piece of thread.
- D. Holding the needle tip, pull down the entire thread. This is called locking the needle.
- E. Follow steps A-D with the other end of the thread and second needle.
6 - Add the tab to the D-ring
Post the leather tab through the golden D-ring and fold.
7 - Fold the leather piece in half
Fold the main piece in half with the top sides of the leather facing outwards. Insert the loop in between the fold, making sure that the holes match up. Note that there should be one additional hole at the top on the back side of the clutch.
*Top Tip*
You can use the needles to align the holes (see pictures).
Clip the leather in place with the binder clips. Use the canvas cloth to protect the leather.
8 - Start stitching
Start your stitch by pushing the needle through the top hole of the back stitching section. Pull the needle through so that there is an equal amount of thread on either side.
9 - Use saddle stitch
- A. With your left hand, take the needle from one side of your Simple Clutch and pass it through the next hole. You will be stitching along the piece towards yourself.
- B. Pull this needle through, leaving a loop of thread about 10cm long on the side.
- C. Take the second needle and push it through the same hole as the first. Avoid piercing the thread as you do this and pull the other thread tightly to the side as this will help.
- D. Pull both needles away from the leather to form a tight stitch. Repeat this for every stitch hole.
10 - Secure the thread with a backstitch
When you reach the end, stitch back on yourself for 3 more stitches to secure the thread.
11 - Cut the thread
Cut the thread as close to the hole as possible and tuck away any visible ends with the back side of your needle.
12 - Repeat steps 4 - 8 on the other side
13 - Final burnish
Give your clutch a final burnish on the joined edges, using the same burnishing process as before.
Voila! Congratulations - you have now finished your personally crafted .Ar:ti|sans Simple Clutch! The Simple Clutch is the perfect and classy companion to all events and keeping your valuables safe and tidy when out and about. It also doubles up as a great case pencil or sewing case.
We would love to see your creation in your home or as part of your outfit. Share it with us and our crafting community so we can celebrate your leathercraft dexterity. Tag us @artisans.life on Instagram (using the hashtag #artisanslife), drop us an email or leave us a review on our website to tell us what you enjoyed most about the making experience.
P.S. Did you recognise our Keyring Kit wrapped in your thread? Now you can now practice your leathercraft skills further by crafting your very own leather keyring! Click here to access the Keyring Craft Kit instructions blog.
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