Scrappy Clutch

 

Edited to add: This has been a successful tutorial for some, but many have had issues with it as well. I had wanted to at some point rewrite the instructions to make it more user friendly, as well as I had some ideas to make this pattern easier. Up to now I've lacked the time or motivation. Please keep this in mind if choosing to go ahead with this tutorial. I strive to make all of my tutorials easy- but missed the mark on this one. So please read through before deciding to go ahead as I don't want this to be a frustrating experience for anyone and some had difficulty making sense of this one. :)

I've named this bag The Scrappy Clutch, because it was made out of my scrap bin. The scrap bin... a tote full of fabric scraps that aren't big enough to make anything with, yet I think one day I might find a purpose for them. So, this project was especially satisfying, because for once I found a purpose for a few!

Until a week or so ago I had no idea I even needed a scrappy clutch. It wasn't until I was peaking at the blogs of my followers (I love you guys- thank you for making me feel like someone is listening) and came across Zura's wonderful blog that I knew I needed one. When you have a minute check out her blog Sew Retro Chic. She has some great tutorials and also has a blog store where she sells adorable clutches that she makes. I asked her if she minded me using the photos of her clutches for inspiration, letting her know I would probably make a tutorial and she said she didn't mind. This is what I came up with. Not the same, but was born from what I saw on her blog. Read on if you'd like to make one too. It is the perfect size for running out to the store. It will hold your cards, keys and a few other things. I think it would also be realy cute as a small make up bag.

 

What you'll need:

- Fabric scraps

- Fusible fleece

- Scissors and/or rotary cutter

- 7 inch zipper

- A glass

- Measuring tape and/or ruler (not shown)

As usual use a 1/4 inch seam allowance unless otherwise stated.

 

I used a bunch of different fabrics as I was digging through my scraps and didn't have enough of any one thing. You can use all one fabric or mix and match.

Fusible Fleece

- 2 pieces 5 1/4 inches X 10 inches

- 2 pieces 3 1/2 inches X 7 1/2 inches

 Main Fabric for Outer Purse

- 2 pieces 5 1/4 inches X 10 inches

Contrasting Band, Top of Purse/ Strap

- 2 pieces 3 1/2 X 7 1/2  inches

- 1 piece 11 1/2 inches X 2.5 inches

Lining Fabric

- 2 pieces 5 1/4 inches X 10 inches

- 2 pieces 3 1/2 inches X 7 1/2 inches

 

Fuse your fusible fleece to the wrong side of your two main outer fabric and contrasting top fabric pieces. All of the pieces that make up the outer of your purse.

 

Take all four of your 3 1/2 X 7 1/2 inch pieces and press on long edge down 1/2 inch. Set aside.

 

Using your glass you are going to create the rounded corners of your clutch. Take one of your outer clutch pieces and using your glass draw a curve on one of the bottom corners of your fabric.

 

Fold your piece in half and cut the corner so that you have created a curve on both bottom corners.

 

Using the fabric piece you just cut as a pattern piece, curve your other three pieces (one other outer piece and 2 lining pieces). Set aside.

 

When I sew something with a strap I like to sew it first. Folding your strap piece right sides together lengthwise, sew together down the long edge.

 

Turn right side out, press, and then topstitch down both long edges approx 1/8 inch in from the edge.

 

This part can be a little tricky. Just be patient, you'll get it. Taking one of your top contrasting pieces and one of the lining pieces of the same size pin down the length of your zipper (your zipper should be 1/4 inch in from either side). Remember you have pressed the edge of your contrasting piece and lining piece down by 1/2 inch, this pressed down edge will be the edge butted up against the side of your zipper.

 

This is the back side. This is why you need to pin, your zipper is sandwiched in the middle of both fabrics.

Now, flip back over. Using your zipper foot sew this together.

 

Now do this on the other side of your zipper as well with your other two fabric pieces. This is what you will have when you are done.

 

Now fold your fabric so that both like fabrics are right sides together like the photo shows. Your zip is in the middle.

 

Sew down your short ends on both sides. Not shown, but grab your strap and fold in half. One one side sandwich it between your main fabric pieces close to the zip.

Turn right side out and this is what you have.

 

Press both your outer fabric and your lining fabric in by 1 inch.Set aside.

 

Take your two main pieces and sew them together right sides together leaving the top open. Then do this with your lining pieces. Clip curves (put little cuts where the fabric curves being careful not to cut through your stitching). This helps your bag keep it's nice curve shape when turned right side out. You can see these cuts on the outer pieces, top of photo.

Now turn your lining fabric right side out and put your main fabric inside it. I uploaded the wrong photo here- you want to do the opposite of this. My main fabric should be the lining fabric and the lining fabric should be the main fabric in this photo. have I confused you? If so you will see what I'm talking about in the next photo.

 

See? Lining fabric is really on the outside! Now sew two rows of gathering stitches around the top aprox 1/8 and 1/2 inches in. If you aren't sure how to gather see my Ruffle Jeans Tutorial.

 

Pull on your threads to gather. Be gentle, you are going through the fleece plus two fabrics it won't be easy to pull the threads. You don't want to break them!

 

Grab your contrasting band piece with the zipper. Unfold where you have pressed it so it looks like a tube again. Remember how it looked in this step? 

 

Put the tube inside your main fabric pieces that you have just gathered. The lining side should still be facing out. Adjust your gathers to fit the size of your band piece and pin. I should have pinned but I'm cutting corners.

 

Sew around the top edge 1 inch in. Normally when gathering you would sew around the raw edge 1/4 inch. I decided at this point I wanted to make my clutch smaller so decided to sew in an inch. If you would like a deeper bag, sew the 1/4 inch and you will have a fatter contrasting band and larger bag.

 

From the inside of the bag pull up the sontrasting band and fold over your top lining piece. The raw edge of your lining piece is pressed under. Now that you have this turn your clutch right side out.

 

Topstitch 1/8 inch in on your contrasting band all the way around, making sure to catch your lining in the seam.

Clutch? Make up case? Whatever it is you have a cute little bag!