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...
- 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.
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You'll also need a hammer and some thick fabric to protect your table.
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!