Tags
clutch, DIY, do it yourself, handbag, martha stewart, Miss Social, upstyle
I admit this week’s DIY is not of my own inspiration. It’s from the Upstyle store on Etsy, as seen on the Martha Stewart show. If you’ve been following my blog for the past couple years, you know how much I adore Martha’s unique DIYs (like these lovely bauble rings!). For the gal on a budget (like me, London is calling…) this is the perfect craft project that not only allows you to tap into your creative side, but you can make the perfect bag for any outfit. And, if you’re feeling particularly crafty, you can make a few for your friends.
Tools and Materials
Decorative fabric for outside of clutch
Fabric for lining
Heavyweight fusible stabilizer
Fusible fleece
Rotary cutter
Grid ruler
Iron
Sewing machine
Coordinating machine-sewing thread
Transparent tape
Bond 527 Multi-Purpose Cement
Metal clutch frame hardware
Clutch How-To
1. Cut 13-by-13 1/2-inch pieces from outer fabric, lining fabric, and heavyweight fusible stabilizer. Cut a 10 1/2-by-13-inch piece of fusible fleece. With an iron, fuse heavyweight stabilizer to wrong side of outer fabric, then fuse fleece to center of stabilized side of fabric.
2. With right sides of outer and lining fabrics together, sew 1/2-inch seams along both longer 13 1/2-inch edges.
3. Turn sewn pieces so right sides are facing out, and press seams flat.
4. Fold in half, matching seams at top, with lining on inside. Sew a 1/4-inch seam on outside raw edges, then trim seam allowances to 1/8 inch and snip in at the corners. Turn again, so outside fabric is on the inside. Sew 1/4-inch seam along edges, creating a finished French seam, then turn right side out.
5. Fold corners down; mark and sew a 2-inch gusset on each. Trim corner to 1/8 inch. Turn again so lining faces out; sew a 1/4-inch seam along gussets to finish seams. Turn right side out one last time.
6. Apply a bead of fabric glue to metal frame. Center over top seam, carefully insert fabric in metal frame, and secure in place with tape. Allow glue to set for several hours.
7. Remove tape, tuck outside corners behind frame, and snap closed.
Complete recipe, including how to make a custom lapel, can be found here.
Feeling lazy? You can skip a few skips by buying the clutch with fabric of your choice here.
Feeling crafty? See my other DIYs here.