This beautiful French word conjures up only pleasant associations! We understand what a clasp is and how it can be useful to needlewomen.
This concept, derived from the French verb fermer, which translates as "close", means a special kind of fastener. A similar lock, consisting of two tightly fitting arcs, was very reliably closed, thanks to two round beads or even precious stones that mesh when pressed.
Photo: old clasp, pinterestThanks to the skill of European jewelers, necklaces with such a lock became extremely popular in Russia in the 18th century, and they were also called clasps. Curiously, the clasp clasp could easily be more expensive than the jewelry itself, to which it was attached! As a result, the ladies began to wear their necklaces ... back to front so that the precious clasp was in sight.
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Photo: antique clasp clasps for necklaces, pinterest
Here, for example, a portrait of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna in a Russian court dress (circa 1830) by Franz Krueger. The neck of the empress is decorated with a necklace with a large ruby clasp clasp.
However, in fact, clasps were used in the manufacture of many different things: for example, ladies' albums, purses and bags that were closed on a clasp were very common.
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Photo: clasp bags, approx. 1920 and 1930
Today, saying a clasp, we almost always mean a clasp for a bag or clutch. Despite its glorious and luxurious past, nowadays clasps can be purchased at any needlework store for more than a moderate amount, since they are made from cheap materials! Although, of course, high fashion does not deprive them of favor, and many fashion houses produce bags with clasps, which can hardly be called even inexpensive.
Photo: Dolce & GabbanaHandmade handbags with clasps look charming: on the one hand, they seem to retain the charm of antiquity, on the other, no one restricts you in the use of materials, so bags made of bright printed cotton are so popular!
Photo: youvimi, MorozBagsCraft Photo: tometoyaIf you want to try your hand at making such a handbag, there is nothing easier! With the help of our step-by-step master class, you will learn how to sew a wallet with a clasp with your own hands.
We sew a purse with a clasp