With a few basic sewing supplies, you can make a clutch purse.
Clutches are versatile handbags that work well for day and evening, and can be found in a variety of colors, fabrics and textures to suit any occasion. Buying these bags, however, can be expensive. With some basic sewing supplies, some beginnign knowledge of sewing, and a piece of paper as your pattern, you can make your own clutch purse quickly and easily. This little bag is the perfect size to use as a handbag or a wallet, and will keep all of your essentials neatly tucked away.
Instructions
1. Wash and dry your fabrics. Cut off any hanging threads and iron both pieces of fabric to remove any wrinkles.
2. Place the fabric one on top of the other with the right sides together. Lay the legal-size paper on top of your fabrics and pin into place. Cut through both layers of fabric, following the outline of the legal-size piece of paper. Remove the pins and paper from the fabric.
3. Make a 3-inch mark along the center of one of the short edges of your fabric with the chalk pencil. You will leave this area open for turning the clutch inside out. Pin the two fabric pieces together with the right sides together.
4. Sew around the edges of your clutch, starting on the left side of your turning opening and ending on the right side of your turning opening. Use a straight stitch and a 3/8-inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and ending of your seam to lock your stitches into place. Stop at each corner with the needle down and lift up your presser foot. Turn your fabric 90 degrees, lower the presser foot, and continue sewing.
5. Turn your clutch inside-out through the 3-inch turning opening. Push out all the corners carefully with the eraser-end of a pencil. Turn the edges of the 3-inch turning opening into the body of the back so the edges are even with the sewn edge of the bag. Iron the folded-in edges of the turning opening into place and pin the opening shut.
6. Iron the entire bag carefully on both sides to remove all wrinkles and flatten down all seams.
7. Sew along both the top and bottom short edges of the clutch with a straight seam and a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your seams.
8. Fold up the bottom short edge of your clutch 5 inches to create the body of your bag. Straighten this fold until the side edges of both the bottom and the top layer are even. Iron into place. Pin along the side edges through both layers. You will have an area of 4 inches at the top that is only one layer -- this is your top flap.
9. Sew down each side of your clutch, through both the top flap and the double layer of the body of your bag. Use a straight seam and a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam. Remove the pins.
10. Fold the top flap down over the body of the bag and iron into place.
Tags: into place, turning opening, your clutch, allowance Backstitch, allowance Backstitch beginning, Backstitch beginning, seam allowance
