U-handblog

Introducing WASHABLE PAPER - your new favourite fabric!

WHAT IS WASHABLE PAPER AND WHY DO WE LOVE IT?
Washable paper is a leather and fabric alternative that is lightweight and washable.  It's also vegan friendly, as no animal products are used in its manufacture.  As for structure, it is extremely tear-resistant, it does not fray and is water-resistant (in a rain shower the drops roll off).  Washable paper can easily be cut, glued, painted, folded and sewn with a sewing machine.  The craft possibilities for this material are mind-boggling!  Where can you purchase this beautiful and versatile fabric? Here, in the shop!

Pic credit (both images): Jomu Studio.  If you don't wash the paper it remains firm and you can make slick-looking wallets like these.  Even after wear and tear, you can iron the wallets to revitalise them. Cool!

TWO MATERIALS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!
What is most interesting about washable paper is its versatile nature; it's two materials in one.  Off the roll, it resembles firm card, which lends itself perfectly to making wallets, book jackets and boxes etc.  BUT for us sewers, the fun begins when you wash the fabric.  After washing you get a lovely soft vintage washed-look leather-feel fabric that you can sew to make bags, cosmetic pouches, backpacks, totes and all sorts of home dec projects.  The washed fabric is soft (the more you wash it, the softer it gets), yet it remains tough and durable.  Even better, if your made items get dirty you can wash them.  Yay! 

Pic credit (all 3 images): 03AM.  After washing the paper you are left with a lovely washed leather-look and feel fabric that is easy to sew through.  How delicious is that zipper!?!

HOW DO YOU WASH AND DRY WASHABLE PAPER? It's easy, follow these simple tips and instructions:
1. Shrinkage is not expected, apart from a tiny amount due to the texturing up of the paper, but this will be hardly noticeable.
2. Do not cut out shapes or pattern pieces from the paper before washing.
3. Do not use any detergent or softeners.
4. Unroll the paper before placing it into your washing (it's fine to scrunch it to get it into the machine).
5. Set the washing machine to 40 degree cycle.
6. Remove from machine, open out and leave to air dry at room temperature.
7. If when dry, you are happy with the wrinkled appearance, go off and have some craft fun!  If your want more of a vintage look you can wash it again in the same way as described above.
8. The more you wash the fabric, the softer and more wrinkly it will become. The paper will remain strong.
9. The paper can be ironed.  Use a pressing cloth and start with low temp, increasing heat if necessary.  Ironing is a great way to revitalise the look of your made items - especially wallets and book covers.
10. You can wash made items by hand washing in soapy water and air drying.


Pic credit (2 pics): Uashmama.  I love the luxe-look of these wash bags/cosmetic cases and how snazzy does that rose gold shoulder bag look?!   You can get the rose gold fabric for that bag here, it's available in 3 colours: Rose Gold, Gold and Silver!

Pic credit (2 pics): Jomu Studio.  I love how neat and preppy these tote bags look. 

Pic credit: Ideas from Life.  I love the utility style of this backpack. It'll look better with age, and don't forget that you can wash it to keep it clean!

If we haven't told you already, you can get hold of this amazing fabric in the shop NOW!

HOW DO YOU SEW WITH WASHABLE PAPER? Whether you use it in its original (card-like form) or after you've washed it, follow these tips for a perfect project:
* Pinning together - holes made in the material are permanent. If you pin the material, the pin-holes are there for good.  Instead of pinning, use sewing clips to hold pattern pieces together.
* Securing your stitches - as too many holes can weaken the fabric we need to be careful when sewing in forward and reverse directions.  To secure your stitches, begin by dropping your needle 1/4" in, from the start of the seam, stitch in reverse to the start of the seam and then stitch forward as usual.  Repeat at the end of the seam.  Pull the thread from front to wrong side.
* Cutting - get cleaner cuts with a rotary cutter and mat.
* Thread - use a quality brand all purpose nylon thread.  But for decorative (and plump-looking) topstitching try using a thicker thread.
* Needle - use an 80 - 90 needle.
* Stitch length - as this material is non-woven we need to avoid making our stitches too small as this would perforate and compromise the fabric strength (if the stitches are too small the fabric could be prone to tearing).  Use a stitch length of 3mm or higher.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR MY FREE PATTERN AND TUTORIAL FOR WASHABLE PAPER (I'LL FIX ONE UP FOR THE BLOG AFTER THE EASTER HOLIDAYS) HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Contemporary Wedding Minaudière Clutches: inspiration and easy tutorials.

MAKE THE MOST AMAZING MATCHING ACCESSORY TO YOUR WEDDING GOWN / GUEST OUTFIT / DREAM DATE DRESS, IN A MERE HOUR OR TWO, TOPS!

You want a gorgeous box clutch made from the same dress fabric? Yes please!!!  Minaudière clutches (AKA box clutches/clamshells) ooooze glamour, yet they are incredibly easy to make. Welcome to the second in our series of tutorials, this time on the theme of CONTEMPORARY, which show you how to make your minaudière clutch LOOK A MILLION DOLLARS!! Our contemporary-styled clutches.

Materials you'll need (minus the fabrics and embellishments):
* To get your minaudière box clutch and all the glues you need click here to see our collection and order - WE DELIVER WORLDWIDE.
* To see how to cover your minaudière, or add a partition, gusset or cover to it check out my free tutorials here
* Read on for how to add contemporary style to your clutch, see our other tutorials on the themes of vintage and boho
* If you prefer to see a how-to film on putting together a minaudière click here to check out my Craftsy Class.


(all images collected from Pinterest)

Contemporary style explores the design of today and is always evolving, it can easily relate to other styles, as any given style can be given a contemporary twist or have a contemporary element within it.  In this period of contemporary we look at fresh, clean and natural, showing that less is more giving you simple elegance.


Seek out modern-looking prints and try a rose gold frame for an instant hit of contemporary! This smoky grey fabric looked great with silver, but really pops with the rose gold.

BROOCHES
Give a new lease of life to a brooch you've had stuck at the back of your wardrobe.  Before you attach the fabric to the shell, do a dry-run to see where you would like the brooch to be positioned.  Mark around the brooch on the fabric with a vanishing marker, then cut out a slightly smaller (than the marked area) piece of fusible woven interfacing to ensure the layer wont be visible later.  Fuse the interfacing to the area you want to attach the brooch to.  Attach the brooch securely with the brooch pin and follow the usual instructions to glue the fabric to the shell.


CUT-OUTS
Inspired by the wonder that is monstera leaves, we used off-cuts of our fab faux leather to create these shapes.  The pleather is wonderfully easy to cut, but you will need a good pair of small, sharp scissors.

Add the leaf shapes after you've stuck the the inner and outer fabrics to the shell, but before you glue the shells into the frame. The stem looks neater if it can disappear underneath the frame when the clutch is finished.

Cut out the desired leafy shape and carefully draw around it on the reverse of the pleather (to make this a bit easier you can glue the template to some thin card - an old greetings card is perfect - before you cut it out).  Carefully cut out the pleather leaf (you will definitely need teeny tiny sewing scissors to cut out the holes in the middle - use them to pierce the fabric in the centre of the hole shape, and once the scissors are in, cut outwards around the line).

Play around with positioning before applying tacky glue to the reverse of the leaf with a small paint brush, paying particular attention to the edges, so that they are stuck down really thoroughly, then stick carefully onto the clutch.


Who knew that making a knockout customised clutch was this fun and easy? (not to mention a fraction of the price of a ready-made clutch).

If you try out any of these projects, we'd love to see what you come up with! Tag us @uhandbag on Instagram, share on our Facebook page or email us at the U-Handbag office :)

Boho Wedding Minaudiere Clutches: inspiration and easy tutorials.

MAKE THE MOST AMAZING MATCHING ACCESSORY TO YOUR WEDDING GOWN / GUEST OUTFIT / DREAM DATE DRESS, IN A MERE HOUR OR TWO, TOPS!

You want a gorgeous box clutch made from the same dress fabric? Yes please!!!  Minaudière clutches (AKA box clutches/clamshells) ooooze glamour, yet they are incredibly easy to make. Welcome to the second in our series of tutorials, this time on the theme of BOHO, which show you how to make your minaudière clutch LOOK A MILLION DOLLARS!! Our boho-styled clutches make a nod to Frida Kahlo's distinctive and delicious style, weddings and holidays in exotic, far-flung locations and vibrant Indian wedding themes.

Materials you'll need (minus the fabrics and embellishments):
* To get your minaudière box clutch and all the glues you need click here to see our collection and order - WE DELIVER WORLDWIDE.
* To see how to cover your minaudiere, or add a partition, gusset or cover to it check out my free tutorials here
* Read on for how to add boho personality to your clutch, see our other tutorials on the themes of vintage and contemporary
* If you prefer to see a how-to film on putting together a minaudière click here to check out my Craftsy Class.

Boho style explores fun and creative ideas and allows you to show the colourful side of your personality.  It can be unconventional, exuberant or whimsical and is very versatile.  Mix a riot of bright colours, fabrics, ribbons and charms to create a unique bag for your perfect day.

(all images collected from Pinterest)

TRIMS
Be inspired by bright colours and patterns, Indian textiles (like beautiful sari fabric) or embroidery fragments and trims. We found some embroidered ribbon samples that were the perfect size to lay across this Sparkle minaudière frame.  Add these when your clamshell is completely covered with your choice of fabric inside and out, but before you glue it into the frame, so that any ragged ends are neatly hidden away behind the frame when the purse is finished.

Decide where your trims are going to go and paste down a thin layer of tacky glue over the purse. Leave to dry for a few minutes then gently press on the trims.



POMPOMS
Massive advances in pompom-making technology mean there’s no longer any need for the old two circles-cut-of-a-cereal-packet-wrapped-with-wool!  You can whip up a pro pompom in a matter of minutes with a pompom maker – we used the smallest one of this set.

These look fun, cute and quirky glued onto the body of the clutch and it's dead easy to do.  Five small pompoms fit nicely across our Cocktail minaudière clutch.

Decide on your pompom layout and exactly where on the purse they're going to sit (tip: not too near the bottom, or you won't be able to hold your clutch properly!) then mark the centre point with a pencil so you can get your pompoms absolutely symmetrical. Squeeze a thin line of strong fabric glue along the purse, then press on the central pompom.  Continue to lay the pompoms on either side until the line is complete.

You can also sew or tie the pompoms to the chain. For hanging pompoms, thread with fine ribbon or braid, then knot onto the chain as for the tassels in the Vintage section.  You can also plait a length of the matching wool as we did.   Take three lengths of wool (longer than the length of your required ‘dangle’, as the plaiting eats up the wool’s length), and knot firmly several times at one end, then start plaiting.  To make it easier to get a nice, even plait, pin the knot onto a firm surface like a pinboard or drawing board, so you can get a good tension on the thread as you work. Thread the finished plait through the pompom with a thick needle.

 

Who knew that making a knockout customised clutch was this fun and easy? (not to mention a fraction of the price of a ready-made clutch).

If you try out any of these projects, we'd love to see what you come up with! Tag us @uhandbag on Instagram, share on our Facebook page or email us at the U-Handbag office :)

Vintage Wedding Minaudiere Clutches: inspiration and easy tutorials.

MAKE THE MOST AMAZING MATCHING ACCESSORY TO YOUR WEDDING GOWN / GUEST OUTFIT / DREAM DATE DRESS, IN A MERE HOUR OR TWO, TOPS!

You want a gorgeous box clutch made from the same dress fabric? Yes please!!!  Minaudière clutches (AKA box clutches/clamshells) ooooze glamour, yet they are incredibly easy to make. Over the next few weeks we have a series of tutorials and fabulous inspiration to show you how to make your minaudière clutch LOOK A MILLION DOLLARS!! Here, our first looks at the theme of VINTAGE.

Materials you'll need (minus the fabrics and embellishments):
* To get your minaudière box clutch and all the glues you need click here to see our collection and order - WE DELIVER WORLDWIDE.
* To see how to cover your minaudiere, or add a partition, gusset or cover to it check out my free tutorials here
* Read on for how to add Vintage glamour to your clutch, see our other tutorials on the themes of boho and contemporary
* If you prefer to see a how-to film on putting together a minaudière click here to check out my Craftsy Class.

Vintage conjures up images of intricate lace, heirloom brooches, delicate flowers, ornate tassels, the list goes on and below we show you some fantastic ideas on how you can incorporate these onto your perfect clutch.

(all images collected from Pinterest)

VINTAGE LACE & TRIMS

Look for lace, buttons, brooches, fabric flowers, ribbons, appliques in your grandma's trim stash, yard sales, charity shops, old table clothes, doilies, trims used on your wedding dress....

These need to be attached before the lining fabric. Decide on positioning (play with laying the lace vertically, horizontally, using narrow strips of lace in stripes or setting pieces slightly off-centre).  When you’re happy, cut the lace (leaving some excess either side – about 1cm) and use tacky glue to attach one side to the inside edge of the shell, then hold in place with sewing clips.  

Stretch and smooth the rest of the lace firmly over the clamshell and then repeat the gluing on the other side, making sure the lace is symmetrical and nice and snug against the surface of the purse. Attaching the lace like this means you avoid having to glue the lace over the shell – fiddly to apply and running the risk of the glue smudging out and ruining the surface of the purse, particularly if you’ve used silk like we have.  

Finish the clamshell off as usual - see my free tutorial. 

Play with layering and overlapping different pieces of lace, or try using vintage doillies.

TASSELS

Go to town on tassels.  Try making your own with wool, ribbon, or embroidery silk.  You could try using extravagant key tassels or bunching up several smaller tassels to make one big flouncy gorgeous tassel. 

Making your own tassels is super-easy and means you can get the perfect colour, length and width for your bag.  We used a lovely textured wool that came in graduated colours.

Decide on the length of tassel you want and cut out a cardboard rectangle the same length. Start winding the wool lengthways around it, starting and finishing at the same (bottom) end.  The more wool you use, the thicker the tassel will be.  When the tassel has reached your desired thickness, use a strand of the same wool to gather together all the loops at the top end and tie it tightly (this is the piece you will use to attach the tassel to the bag chain, so make sure it’s long enough to play with.  You may choose to plait this piece to make it look more elegant and professional). Cut through the loops at the bottom end and remove the tassel from the cardboard.  To give the tassel its shape and hold it all together, gather the tassel close to the top end (about 2cm down) and tie it tightly  with another length of wool (let the ends of this piece dangle down to become part of the rest of the tassel).

Knotting the tassels to the chain links means they can be removed later to make the purse super-versatile! You can leave the ends dangling if you like (if you used pretty wool or a plait) or snip them off (we used a dab of Fray Stop to stop the knots unravelling) We also stitched two small buttons together on either side to hide the knots.

You could also use skeins of embroidery thread for luxe tassel-making (super easy as the threads are already looped).  We found a handy guide here.

RIBBON ROSES
There are lots of tutorials online for how to make these – this one is very straightforward. Use Gütermann fabric glue to stick your finished roses in a line, in a cluster in the corner or all over!

Who knew that making a knockout customised clutch was this fun and easy? (not to mention a fraction of the price of a ready-made clutch).

If you try out any of these projects, we'd love to see what you come up with! Tag us @uhandbag on Instagram, share on our Facebook page or email us at the U-Handbag office :)

TUTORIAL: How to make a quick and easy minaudière gusset and bottom edge frame cover

We love seeing more and more of these yummy handmade minaudières in maker-land.   As minaudières are gaining popularity and the wedding season is almost upon us (as well as parties and special occasions throughout the year), I thought it would be nice to post a tutorial on how to add a quick & simple gusset and bottom edge frame cover, to pimp up your straight edge minaudière.  You'll love how the results look and they are totes-practical.  Believe me, with these nice little additions on your clamshells you are going to get a lot of "WOW YOU MADE THAT, NOOO WAY!!!!"

These simple gussets will keep all of your essentials safe and stop them from falling out and the optional bottom edged frame cover will prevent any loose credit cards from slipping through the cracks, as well as making them look very neat and smart! 

To our delectable curved corner FLORA minaudière I added just the gussets, leaving off the bottom edge cover so you could see how it looks without the cover.

To our popular 90 degree angled COCKTAIL clutch I added gussets and the bottom edge frame cover (the cover will prevent loose credit cards and the like, from slipping through the bottom of the clutch and gives it a very smart finish). 

DOWNLOAD THE FREE TUTORIAL HERE - NOTE: This tutorial will work on whatever size STRAIGHT EDGED minaudière clutch, curved or 90 degree corner.

Don't forget, to upload photos of your makes, using #UHclamshell, to our Instagram page @uhandbag - we can't wait to see what you come up with :)

To buy minaudière cases - see our selection in our shop (we deliver worldwide).

To see how to cover minaudière box clutches - see my minaudière tutorial.

To see a film on how to cover minaudieres - see my Craftsy Class.

If you prefer a fancier partitioned minaudière gusset, see this tutorial.