We have a fabulous project for you this week! Katy from The Littlest Thistle has paired metallics from Remix and Botanics with gold leather for a fabulous clutch purse that is the perfect accompaniment for sparkly heels and a cocktail. Read on for the handy tutorial and then pop to the shop to browse our metallic fabric selection to make your own! Thanks, Katy!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
You will need:
Directional prints:
- 1/2 yard outer fabric
- 1/2 yard lining fabric
OR Non-directional prints:
- 1 FQ outer fabric
- 1 FQ lining fabric
Accent:
- 4 1/2″ x 8″ piece of leather (I used metallic pig skin leather, which is very thin, from The Identity Store)
- 5″ x 8″ accent fabric
- 5″ x 8″ muslin
Interfacing:
- 1/2 yd fusible woven interfacing
- 1/2 yd fusible fleece, such as Heat & Bond or Vilene H630
- scrap fusible fleece
- scrap very firm interfacing
Notions:
- Magnetic snap
- Thread to match accent fabric and main fabric
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Seam allowances:
- Seam allowance is 1/2″ unless otherwise stated
- Top stitching is 1/8″ from edge
Cutting Directions:
- 2 x 12″ x 7″ – front/back
- 1 x flap from pattern piece – cut on fold, it should measure 12″ x 5″
- 1 x 14″ x 2″ – strap
- 2 x 12″ x 7″ – front/back
- 1 x flap from pattern piece – cut on fold, it should measure 12″ x 5″
- 1 x 7″ x 7″ – patch pocket
- 4 x triangles in leather from leather pattern piece, 2 facing 1 direction, 2 facing the other
- 4 x triangles in accent fabric from fabric pattern piece, 2 facing 1 direction, 2 facing the other
- 4 x triangles in muslin from fabric pattern piece, 2 facing 1 direction, 2 facing the other
- 2 x 12″ x 7″ – front/back
- 1 x flap from pattern piece – cut on fold, it should measure 12″ x 5″
- 2 x 12″ x 7″ – front/back
- 1 x flap from pattern piece – cut on fold, it should measure 11″ x 4″
Preparation:
- Apply fusible woven interfacing to corresponding outer fabric pieces, following manufacturer’s instructions
- Apply fusible fleece to corresponding outer fabric pieces, centring to leave a 1/2″ seam allowance all round, following manufacturer’s instructions
- If you are using accent fabric for the corners, sew the 4 accent fabric pieces to the corresponding muslin pieces, right sides together, using a 1/4″ seam allowance, then open out and press wrong sides together.
Assembling The Clutch:
1. Take your accent triangles, and topstitch down the diagonal edge onto your front and back outer pieces. Note: if you’re using leather, don’t use pins to hold it in place, as the holes will permanently show, instead use a dab of fabric glue to hold it temporarily in place.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
2. Take your front piece, and make a mark 6″ from the side and 3″ up from the bottom. Using the washer from the female side of your magnetic snap, line the centre hole up over the mark, then mark in the two vertical lines either side as in the photo below. Repeat this on a roughly 1″ square each of the scraps of fusible fleece and very firm interfacing.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
3. Using a sharp pair of scissors, cut through each of the vertical lines on the fabric and interfacing, then insert the female side of the snap, layering as follows:
- Outer fabric
- Firm interfacing scrap
- Fusible fleece scrap
- Washer
Then bend the prongs of the snap outwards – I usually use a flat head screwdriver for this. Note: I use the interfacing scraps to protect the fabric from the entire snap trying to pull through when you open and close it.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
4. Take your front and back pieces and place right sides together, then sew round the sides and base.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
5. Trim the corners to reduce the bulk when you turn the bag through. Note: I do this at more of a 60 degree angle than a 45 degree on so that when it’s turned through I don’t end up with any seams fighting each other at the corner – I’ve found that a 45 degree one tends to rub up against each other and overlap a bit.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
6. Turn the bag right sides out and set aside.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
7. Take your strap piece and fold in half, matching long edges, and press. Then open it out and fold the long edges into the centre and press again., and finally, fold it in half along the original crease and press again.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
8. Top stitch all the way around both sides of the strap. Note: I find it easiest to do the open edges first before stitching up the folded edge, as it helps to make sure the edges are lined up properly.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
9. Make a loop from your strap, matching the ends, and baste in place 1/2″ in from the right hand side on the back of the outer bag.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
10. Take the remaining snap pieces and apply to the flap lining piece, 6″ in and 1″ up from the bottom, following the directions in steps 2 & 3. 11. Take the 2 flap pieces and place right sides together, then sew around, leaving the top edge open. Trim the corners as per the photo below:
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
12. Turn the flap right sides out and press, then top stitch around the edge, going carefully past the snap. 13. Baste the flap onto the back of the bag, making sure that the flap outer is facing the bag outer, then set aside.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
14. Take your lining patch pocket piece and fold in half right sides together. Pin together and sew down one side and around 2 1/2″ in along the bottom edge. Repeat on the other side, leaving a turning gap in the centre at the bottom. Note: I use a double pin to mark where I need to stop sewing for turning gaps
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
15. Trim the corners, and turn the pocket through the gap, carefully poking out the corners. Press, then top stitch along the folded edge, which will become the top of the pocket. 16. Pin the pocket in place on one of the lining pieces, 3″ in from the side, 1 1/2″ up from the bottom. Top stitch in place. Note: this will effectively close the gap at the same time
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
17. Top stitch diagonally across the top corners of the pocket to secure them, roughly 1/4″ in from the corner
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
18. Place the lining pieces right sides together, and sew around the sides and bottom, leaving a 3″ turning gap along the base. Trim the corners as for the outer bag.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
19. Place the outer bag inside the bag lining so that they are right sides together, then sew all the way around the top edge.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
20. Turn the bag right side out through the turning gap, and press. Pin the lining in place, and top stitch around the top of the bag, going carefully along the flap side to ensure the lining is caught on the other side.
