Easy Tutorial - How to use metal rivets

Ever since Kyoko kindly taught me how to use rivets I have been hooked on them. When you and your sewing machine are already on crappy terms because your bag has a ba-jillion layers (and that's before you've even attached the handles) don't empty your purse into the swear jar; rivet your handles on instead. You can also rivet fabric or leather straps onto metal trigger clips (much faster than sewing them on). 

You can also rivet fabric or leather straps onto metal trigger clips (much faster than sewing them on); or to decorate items (because they look like studs); basically, rivets are great for securing layers of material together.   Rivets are inexpensive, easy to use, and I think you'll agree they really do 'lift' a bag to make it look more professional...

This Carpet Bag looks pretty smart with all of it's shiny metal rings and rivets don'tcha think?

There are different types of rivets, but the type that bag makers tend to use are called Cap Rivets (or Dot Rivets).  There are two parts to a cap rivet: the cap (which is the right side) and the shaft (which is the wrong side).  I'm using single - ended cap rivets, but you can also use double - ended cap rivets (which just means that both the right and the wrong side has cap ends).

As you can see in the pic there are different sizes of cap rivet available.  The larger the cap size is the longer it's shaft will be (I'll talk about choosing the right size of cap in a minute).  If you want to get your mitts on some CAP rivets you can get them in the UK here, and in the USA here.

Rivet tools. From left to right:  

• Cap Rivet setting tool - which is the metal bar thing (notice how the tip is concave?  This is important, you'll see why later)
  
• Cap rivet anvil - which is the metal disc (Cap rivet anvils have a flat side and a concave side, this is important because you can get double-ended cap rivets, which simply means that the cap shaft also has a cap end, you can use either single or double cap rivets); 
• Multi-sized hole punch (so you can use different sized rivets).
• If you want to get your mitts on these tools you can get them in the UK here, and in the USA here. 
• You'll also need a hammer and some thick fabric to protect your table.   
  

This is the bag that I want to rivet my handles onto.  There's no way I'm going to take the time to sew these handles on, Al is downstairs making coconut fish curry so I want to finish this bag pronto!

1.   Select the right sized cap rivet for the job - make up your bag (and handle loops if necessary).  I am going to use handle loops for my bag.   To choose the right sized cap rivet I will note the thickness of my bag handle loop AND take into account the thickness of my bag fabric. See pic below:

I have chosen this cap rivet size because the shaft of my chosen cap rivet is slightly longer than the thickness of my handle loop AND there's just enough length spare to accommodate my bag fabric too.  

You want everything to be a snug fit so the cap rivet shaft should be JUST long enough for your project. Too short and the rivets parts won't join together; too long and it will look rubbish and the straps will move too freely against the bag

2.  Mark the position on you bag and your strap/handle loop - even if you're lazy like me, it is worth making the markings; it will just make life easier.

Use a pen or a (dangerous looking 'don't mess with me') pointy tool to mark the position for the rivets on the bag and on the straps/handle loops.

3.   Select the right sized hole for your chosen cap rivet - take your hole punch and you'll see that each of the hole making punch things are hollow.  Take the shaft part of your cap rivet and try to insert the shaft into each of the hole making thingies.  The right hole making thing is the one that is a snug fit for your cap rivet.  Not too loose; just right.  

Goldilocks says this hole making thingy fits just right.

4.  Make holes in your bag and your handles/handle loops - Use the hole punch to make the necessary holes in the bag and handle/handle loops.  If you're new to this you can make a gentle imprint with the hole punch to make absolutely sure that your happy with the positioning before pressing down real hard.

X marks the spot on my bag.  On fabric you can also use small scissors (instead of a punch) to make tiny holes for your rivets.

Punched hole in one of my handle loops (with bag strap attached).

5.   Insert cap rivet shaft into bag - take a cap rivet shaft and push it through the punched hole on the wrong side of your bag. 

Rivet shaft goes into the punched hole in the lining side of the bag.

6.  Place the handle/handle loop onto the rivet shaft on the right side of your bag - and then when you are happy that everything is the right way round (i.e. that right side of your handles is facing forward for example because after this point all sales are final and there's definitely no refund...) push the cap part of the rivet onto the rivet shaft.

Place the handle/handle loop onto rivet shaft through the punch hole.

Push the rivet cap onto the rivet shaft and get ready to hammer it...

7.  Hammer the rivet parts together - place some fabric on any unprotected surfaces and then take the cap rivet anvil and place it underneath the base of the cap rivet shaft.  NOTE: as I am using single-end cap rivets the base of my cap rivets are FLAT so accordingly I have to use the flat side of my cap rivet anvil on which to do my hammering.  If you are using double-ended cap rivets you would have to use the concave side of your anvil.

Notice how I am going to use the flat side of my anvil (which is why the concave side is going to be on the underside of my work).  I've also put some fabric under my anvil because I don't fancy having anvil marks my bag.

Now take the cap rivet setting tool and ensure you place the concave end of the tool over the rivet cap. The tool has a concave end so that when you hammer the tool it doesn't move around, and you don't thwack your finger, and you don't scream blue murder - good eh?  

Should you be using a cap rivet that is larger than the surface area of the setting tool you can always place a bit of cloth over the rivet cap to protect it from scratches.

Now with sharp taps (rather than crashing the hammer down) hammer the rivet parts  together.  As you are tapping the hammer stop and check to see how the rivet looks, are the rivet parts and layers all nice and snug together?  

There!  That was pretty easy.

And here's yours truly sporting the new riveted bag, but (just as importantly) what's that spotty thing on my T-shirt?

It's a big ol' (blurry) polka dot teapot of course!  I won't be growing old gracefully.  Have a great weekend everyone!