If you can’t afford the designer bag that comes with a clochette, but you would actually like to use one… This might be the perfect post for you! In the past, I have done already another key-chain DIY project (actually two DIYs in one over here!) though I love the idea to make it an addition to your bag!
I am quite buzzy designing new bags for new projects and I like to give those bags that little extra with a clochette! So let’s see how to make one?
What do you need?
- A rectangular piece of leather (6 x 10 cm) (or larger if you like to fit all your keys…)
- A string of leather to attach it to your bag
- Matching or contrasting thread
- Cutting mat
- Stanley or leather knife
- Two leather needles
- Pricking irons
- Mallet
- Hole punch size 6mm & 2mm
- Wing divider
Step 1: design the pattern
For every item you make, you will need a pattern. In this case, I’ve uploaded mine digitally and made it real size. So, you could download it, print it and make them over and over again! You could, of course, make your own. It should look something like a bell, you remember…
Download the pattern here
Step 2: trace and cut it
This step isn’t that hard… Just trace your pattern with a needle or sharp awl on to the leather. The next one is to cut it. You might have to work quite precise if you make a small one but I think you will manage! To attach a ribbon later to secure it to your bag you will have to punch a hole at this stage of the clochette project. So take your 6 mm punch (or smaller/bigger if you like) and punch it right in the middle. To find the middle of your clochette you could either use the hole in the pattern as guidance or you can fold it in half and mark it.
Step 3: pricking away!
This one might be a little bit trickier. Before you just start pounding with your mallet on the pricking irons it might be wise to first see how many stitches you can fit on each side. Use your wing divider to scratch a stitching line on 3 mm of the edges.
Step 4: sew the edges
Luckily mine isn’t that large, so you will be done quickly. If you forgot how to do the saddle stitch, check out this post! Eventually, it should look like the second picture below.
Step 5: make a ribbon
I’ve used a 6 mm wide strap to attach the clochette to the bag. To add the lock and key on one side, you can punch with a smaller punch a little hole. You could also make a little cut with you Stanley knife. On the other side, you will need to make an incision of 5-6 cm to pull through the clochette when you add it to your bag at the very end.
Well, that’s about it. You’ve made your very own clochette now and you can make your bags look as expensive as the designers do. You could also think of a little mark inside the clochette. Over many many years, your buyers will be able to identify a true *your brand name* bag as well with the clochette!! Wouldn’t that be great? I love to hear how it went and please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have some questions about this or any other DIY!
Leave a Reply