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DIY Fly Swatter

 

This is my second fly swatter I have created - they really do work! These are based loosely on the cute fly shaped fly swatters from Ameico Inc. Before I get in to my process, please note that this requires a sharp xacto blade.  Please only attempt if you are an adult, and please be careful!




Supplies:

  • leather
  • leather lacing
  • 4 small buttons
  • wooden dowel
  • contact cement or similar glue for leather
  • mod podge
  • upholstery thread (or heavy duty thread)
  • patten for front and back of swatter - one side is the body and wings, the other side is just the body (wings will be only one layer thick)
Tools:
  • paint brush
  • needle
  • leather punch with different sized holes
  • scissors
  • xacto blade 
  • clips to hold your pattern in place
  • q-tip for spreading contact cement
  • lighter to singe the ends of the upholstery thread










1) using a pattern, cut out your leather pieces, use the leather punch to punch out sewing holes around the body, as well as holes on the wings.

2) using the xacto knife, shave off excess wood from one end of the dowel on both the front and back side (never towards you, always away from your face). It will end up looking like the end of a flat edged screwdriver, not a point like a spear.







3) apply contact cement to front and back of the shaved part of the dowel. I used painter's tape so the glue doesn't get on the dowel higher up than it needs to be. Place the glue covered, shaved dowel end between the leather body with wings and the body-only piece. 








4) line up an eye button on both the front of the back side and sew in place. Repeat so you have 2 eye buttons on each side. Be sure and pull the thread as taut as you can.

5) sew the body in place. Finish off the sewing with multiple knots and use a lighter to singe the ends to secure.







6) apply mod podge to both sides of the swatter








7) create a loop for hanging on the other end: cut leather lacing to about 15cm and glue ends to the dowel. Finish off by wrapping more leather lacing around the dowel




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