How to insert eyelets in straps

My cinematographer and I have been at it again... This time it's a video tutorial on using our eyelet kits - something I'm often asked to demonstrate in classes.

I'm using the saddlers punch (again) and working on the Day Bag.

I love my saddler's punch... have I mentioned that before?



For those of you who missed it, I also have a tutorial (not video) on how to use eyelet pliers - here.

Simple Purse Feet Tutorial

My first foray into the multi-media world of online tutorials... Here's a quick video of a technique I developed recently - how to add purse feet to a soft fabric bag.

This is a great one for those occasions where purse feet are an afterthought.... and believe me, these moments happen. I've used other methods in the past but find this one gives the best results.

Vilene S520 stabilises and flattens the soft fabric base of the bag before holes are punched through it. This ensures that the bag and the template plastic base line up without any sagging between the purse feet. It also keeps the feet evenly spaced and square.

I've used my saddlers punch in this tutorial - and you'll really need one if you're to do this trick.

And yes.. we stock all the materials you need:
Saddlers Punch - Vilene S520 - Template Plastic - Purse Feet

Supplies updates... and a materials list for the Laptop Bag

A few not-quite-on-the website items of note...
We finally found a new buckle for the MOD bag (since the one on the cover was discontinued by our suppliers the same week we released the pattern!!!). A super-shiny circular one - very MOD - with an inside measurement of 45mm. The little prong in the centre can be removed and it'll also work as a slide adjuster for an adjustable shoulder strap. CODE: BUCK01 $4.50 each.


We also now have large purse feet - which are great for the Beach Bag, the Laptop Bag and other largish bag bottoms!

We have them in Silver and Gold and the codes and price are as follows -
Pack of 6 - CODE: FEETFLG6 $4.90
Pack of 10- CODE: FEETFLG10 $7.40
Pack of 20 - CODE: FEETFLG20 $13.00
Pack of 50 - CODE: FEETFLG50 $29.65

We also have the small (flat) purse feet in ANTIQUE - same price as the other CODE: FEETFL on the website.

I've included Velcro on my new Laptop Bag (scroll down for the pattern giveaway) so thought I should supply the stuff! We have 25mm in black for $2.75 per metre. CODE: VEL25
...

MATERIALS LIST FOR THE LAPTOP BAG
Since we're now taking pre-orders for the Laptop bag (CODE: BO825 $21.95) we thought it best to throw together a quick materials list... Instead of sending out a zillion email replies as to what's needed, we're going to post it here until the website is updated.

If you'd like to place an order you can email your list (including the codes,your address and preferred payment method) to Leah, and she'll sort it all out for you (she's great like that!).

YOU WILL NEED -

• 95cm-155cm Medium-Heavy Interfacing - CODE:IFMEDH $10.50 per metre
  If you’re interfacing the lining (needed for the expandable pocket) you’ll need 150cm. If not, 1 metre will be plenty.

110cm Medium Fusible Wadding - CODE: WADD640 $11.50 per metre

7.5cm Vilene S520 CODE: IFS520 $23 per metre. The mimimum cut of Vilene S520 is 10cm but 15cm will allow you to cut four bases.

7.5 x 37cm Template Plastic (you'll need to buy a whole sheet, which is 46.5 x 30.25 - so you'll get 4 bases out of it) CODE:TEMPL - $2.75 per sheet

See the interfacings page for details of all the above materials.

2m x 50mm Polypropylene Webbing - CODE: WEBB50 - $1.60 per metre

1 x 50mm Plastic Tri-glide - CODE: PLTRI50/4 $2.75

1 x 50mm Looploc ring - CODE: PLOOP50/4 $2.15
The plastic tri-glides and looplocs are available in packs of 4 pieces. These can be substituted for the 50mm Square Flat Tri-Glide and the 50mm Flat Oblong Ring in silver – minimum pack size is 2 pieces – if preferred.

120cm Velcro (see above)

6 x large purse feet (see above)

If you are using purse feet, you may also like to order a 4mm Saddler’s punch. CODE:SADP4 $5 each. BTW - These are about to go up in price by 25% (thanks to an increase on our suppliers part..!) so now is a good time to buy!

If you don't have an 18mm bias tape maker - CODE: BIAS18 $11.20 - you might find it a wise investment once you've learned how to make flaps like the one on the Laptop Bag. (Beware - it's a bit addictive and you'll be wanting to bind everything...!).

You can't iron over webbing or velcro, so a Rajah Pressing Cloth - CODE: RAJAH $7 -is another good thing to use while you're making this bag.

Optional: you may like to also use 35cm of clear PVC – this is available at Spotlight and Lincraft stores among others…

Eyelet Tutorial

It appears that our new Eyelet Pliers don't come with instructions, so here's a quick tutorial to show you JUST HOW EASY it is to set eyelets with them. 1. Mark the spot where you want to place the eyelet.

2. Punch or cut a small hole in the centre of the marking.

TIP 1: The easiest thing for the job is a SADDLER'S PUNCH, pictured above (we'll have them on the website within the next day or two. BTW- they're handy for making PURSE FEET holes, too!). Or you can try any other punching/cutting tool that you know will make a less-than-6mm hole in your fabric.

Tip 2: It's better to err on the side of the hole being too small, rather than too big. You don't want a wobbly eyelet that's going to fall out within a week or two!!! A 4mm hole will do the trick for a 6mm holed eyelet.

3. Push an eyelet through from the right side of fabric.

4. Place a washer over the back of the back of the fabric (where the cylindrical end of the eyelet is poking through). Make sure that the RAISED curve of the washer is facing up, and press it down over the fabric so that you can clearly see the end of the eyelet poking through the washer.

5. Line up the pliers with the flat side of the pliers on the FRONT of the eyelet (on the right side of fabric) and the side with the LUMP in the middle goes to the BACK (washer) side, as shown in the pic below. I know this LOOKS wrong, but it's not. Double-check that the eyelet and washer are still aligned and..... 6. SQUEEZE! Check that the centre of the eyelet has rolled sufficiently over the the washer to make the eyelet secure.

TIP 3: Eyelets prefer a bit of thickness in the fabric. The thinner your fabric the more the eyelet will crack as it rolls over the washer. The more it rolls and cracks the rougher the back of the eyelet will be. This isn't necessarily a problem - just something to be aware of if the back of eyelets are placed where they could rub on skin or delicate fabric.

Left: This is the back of the eyelet on a strap with interfacing in it

Right: This is the back of an eyelet in a thin fabric strap (same fabric but no interfacing)

And this is the FRONT of the eyelet.... swish, huh?

I don't know about you, but I LOVE a bit of metal on a bag....