Making your own clutch is a rewarding project that allows for endless customization. This pattern will guide you through creating a sturdy and chic zippered clutch, similar in style to the one you've shared, but with the added strength and professional finish that comes from sewing. It's an excellent project for a confident beginner who wants to practice working with zippers and zippers.
Materials
Outer Fabric: Denim or canvas fabric scraps. You'll need at least two pieces measuring 10" x 12".
Lining Fabric: A coordinating cotton fabric (two pieces measuring 10" x 12").
Zipper: One 10-inch or longer nylon zipper.
D-Rings: Two 1/2-inch D-rings.
Chain Strap: A pre-made chain strap with clasps, or a length of chain with two jump rings.
Thread: All-purpose thread that matches your fabric.
Fusible Interfacing (Optional): Medium-weight interfacing for added structure.
Basic sewing supplies: Sewing machine, scissors, pins or clips, measuring tape, and an iron.
Cutting List
Main Body (Outer Fabric): Cut two rectangles measuring 10" wide x 12" tall.
Lining Fabric: Cut two rectangles measuring 10" wide x 12" tall.
Side Tabs (Outer Fabric): Cut two small rectangles measuring 3" wide x 2" tall.
Fusible Interfacing: Cut two rectangles measuring 10" wide x 12" tall.
Sewing Instructions
Note: Use a 1/2-inch seam allowance throughout the pattern unless otherwise noted.
Step 1: Prepare the Fabric and Zipper
Press the fusible interfacing onto the wrong side of your two Main Body (Outer Fabric) pieces, following the manufacturer's instructions.
Lay one of your interfaced outer fabric pieces right side up. Place your zipper, teeth up, along the top 12-inch edge.
Place one of your lining pieces on top, wrong side up, aligning the top edges with the zipper. Pin all three layers.
Using a zipper foot on your machine, sew a straight line along the edge, securing the layers to the zipper.
Step 2: Attach the Remaining Pieces
Fold the fabric pieces away from the zipper and press the seam. Topstitch along the seam for a neat, professional finish.
Repeat the process for the other side of the bag. Attach the other outer and lining fabric pieces to the remaining side of the zipper in the same way.
Give the entire piece a good press with an iron.
Step 3: Create the Side Tabs
Take your two Side Tabs pieces. Fold each piece in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew the long edge to create a tube.
Turn the tubes right side out and press them flat.
Slide a D-ring onto each of the two tabs. Fold the fabric in half with the D-ring inside the fold, aligning the raw edges.
Step 4: Assemble the Bag
Open the zipper halfway. Lay the bag flat with the outer fabrics right sides together and the lining fabrics right sides together. The zipper should be at the center.
Pin the side tabs on the outside, in between the outer and lining fabrics, about 1 inch down from the zipper. Pin the tabs with the D-rings pointing inward.
Pin all the way around the outer bag, leaving a 4-inch opening on the bottom of the lining for turning.
Starting from one side of the lining, sew all the way around the bag, pivoting at the corners. Be careful to sew slowly over the zipper teeth.
Step 5: Turn and Finish
Reach into the opening you left in the lining and carefully pull the entire bag right-side out. Gently push out the corners to create a nice shape.
Hand-sew the opening in the lining closed with a ladder stitch for an invisible finish.
Give the finished bag a final press with an iron.
Attach the chain strap to the D-rings, and your custom denim clutch is complete!
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