Making My Case

Posted by Katie, Fashion Editor

Lately, I've been really into making things from leather, including little business-card cases, which I use as gifts (I made them for my coworkers during the holidays). I've also made a few larger versions for myself and use them to hold receipts and stationery.

If you want to try making some, I promise you'll be shocked at just how easy it is. Here's a scan of my pattern (you can tell from all the trace lines just how many I've made!).

Print this pattern out, and play around on a photocopier until it's the size you want (for my business-card cases, the template measures about nine inches across, from tip to tip). Then trace it onto leather. Using a mini hole-punch (the kind scrapbookers like), make small holes at each of the four tips, as shown on the pattern.

Now just fold the leather into an envelope shape: Bring the left and right flaps inward and line up the holes. Hold them together with a great little piece of hardware called a button-stud (I get mine, the screw-back type, from Pacific Trimmings, 212-279-9310. If anyone has a good online source, let me know! This site has some similar ones).

Insert the back piece of the button-stud up through the holes in the flaps. Then fold the bottom flap of the envelope upward, securing its hole over the stud -- I also put some glue beneath the edges of this flap to help it stay flat. Now just screw on the front piece of the button-stud, and push it through the hold on the top flap. Case closed!

Comments

[Cathy]

Hi Everyone,
I found these Button Studs at www.bagfittings.com. All sizes and shapes.

[Sandi]

Standing Bear's Trading Post at www.standingbearstradingpost.com carries the button studs as well.
11310-01 BUTTON STUD ScrewBack SMALL Gilt EA 99¢
11310-02 BUTTON STUD ScrewBack SMALL Nickel EA 99¢
11311-01 BUTTON STUD ScrewBack LARGE Gilt EA 99¢
11311-02 BUTTON STUD ScrewBack LARGE Nickel EA 99¢
Most of the customers who have been calling and working on this Martha Stewart project have been ordering the small ones.
Contact them at inquiry@sbearstradingpost.com or 818-342-9120

[Rachel L. Fridkin]

brilliant idea!! i can't wait to try it out :)

here is a site I found for the screw posts: http://www.tandyleatherfactory.com/products.asp?Dept=460

[maureen]

When I looked on tandyleatherfactory.com they only had a couple colors - brown and black of the kidskin. Can someone post a link w/ the colors available? I want some crazy bright colors, if available! I loved her silver and green ones she had on the show today.

[Mary Ann Lau]

I love the classic nature and adaptability of this pattern.

I found the button studs at Tandy Leather Factory, 1-800-433-3201, or on the web at tandyleatherfactory.com; see 1290-01 (brass) and 1290-02 (nickel). They also have kidskin hide in different colors.

[Al]

These are great. It looks like the kid skin leather you used is thin and a bit stiff? Do you find it works better with a stiffer leather to hold its shape?

[stephaniev]

I totally had one of those barbie purses! I was always trying to stuff something into it, usually unsucessfully.
Love this idea! I am going to try making some for Christmas gifts.
For a alternative hardware do you think a brad would work? I've seen lots of cool ones in craft stores. To be a bit more girly you could try ribbon. Or what about a cool button and some round elastic?

[Katie]

Hi Kate & Patsy,

The source I used is Kaufman's Shoe Repair Supplies: 212-777-1700.
You'll need to ask for a kid skin hide, and then request whichever color you'd like to use.

Happy Crafting!
Katie

[Patsy]

And where am I supposed to find this leather?

[Kate]

What kind of leather did you use? There are so many types of leather on the website.

[Julianne schisler]

Just saw this idea and decided to make for my fun coworkers - our business cards are an unusual size and none of us have proper holders due to our leader's creativity - I can't wait to get going on this! This is the perfect low cost gift.

[K. Anne]

Thanks for the tutorial! They would make great gifts.

For those looking, I found the studs on the Tandy Leather site, http://tandyleather.com under the name of: Sam Browne Button & Washer. That variation appears to be more rounded.

[stephanie]

i called pacific trimmings for the button studs and they had no idea what i was talking about. they didn't even know they were on your blog. any ideas on a good alternative???

[GretaB]

This resembles a leather envelope accessory I bought at Le Bagerie in Paris years ago. It is stitched at the seams with a snap closure. I use it as an evening clutch and receive so many compliments!

[Elle]

Love it! Remind anyone else of the Barbie purses that actually opened?

[Michelle G. Call]

Katie you have always had great ideas. I actually have made something similar to this but with oilcloth. We could have used some of your ideas in the blue house.