I’ve been on a leather kick lately if you hadn’t noticed — making several different items since my leather making lesson — and since we’re in the chillier months, I’ve been really drawn to this wine color that looks great in just about anything. Call it what you will: oxblood, wine, burgundy….Mood Fabrics has a great selection of that and more that you’re sure to love. Now, the first time I made a clutch, I had to wrap my brain around the whole flipping it inside out thing….but once you get it, you’ll be making one in every finish and color. I guarantee it. I’d love to hear your clutch success stories below.
SUPPLIES: straight edge, silk polyester lining, leather, straight pins, rotary cutter, scissors, a binder clip, and a zipper.
HOW-TO:
1. After cutting out 6 rectangles (2 tiny ones to encase the zipper, 2 leather 16 x 11 inches, and 2 lining 16 x 11 inches), take your 2 tiny ones and attach them to either side of of zipper with binder clips.
2. Sew your tiny rectangles of leather to either side of the zipper.
3. Now this step can get a little tricky, but it’s super easy once you’ve done it the first time. Ultimately you want your leather on top of the zipper, and your lining on the under side. So take your leather and with zipper facing up, attach the right side of your leather to your zipper with your straight pins. (Note: you don’t want to get too close to your zipper teeth or you won’t be able to unzip it with ease). Repeat on opposite with lining.
4. Go ahead and sew each.
HOW-TO CONT’D:
5. Here’s on it looks once leather is sewn to the zipper.
6. Now, you’ll have 4 flaps attached to the zipper: 2 leather, 2 lining. Line them up and hold the leather in place with binder clips before placing on sewing machine. Straight pins here might leave puncture marks in your leather. (Note: leave the zipper open about 5 inches, or it will be challenging to flip the bag to it’s right side).
7. After sewing up all 3 sides of your leather, you’ll sew up all 3 sides of your lining…but leave about 5 inches open on one side open.
8. Cut off your 2 corners on your leather. Now, you’re almost done — flip pull the leather through the lining and flip the bag a second time to get it all on right side with lining now on inside. Hand stitch up that 5 inch opening in the lining and you’re all set.
Brandhyze Stanley is the chief voice of the award winning blog, Frugal-nomics.com; a platform designed to share with women how to live and look fabulous on a dime. A DIY girl at heart—Brandhyze has been featured on The View, The Early Show, The Today Show, InStyle Magazine, Essence Magazine, and MTVStyle. A Wilhelmina Model for over a decade, with a Business Degree from Loyola University Chicago, Brandhyze provides DIY content to the popular How-To Site, eHow; and has been a contributor for the Huffington Post, Yahoo Finance, Super Money, Good Housekeeping, and Newsday Westchester, to name a few. Brandhyze is a huge thrifter and a lover of all good deals, follow her on Twitter @MyFrugalnomics and on Facebook at Facebook.com/Frugalnomics.
16 comments
This is a great idea. I can see many items made out of this textile. By the way the pumps are FAB. 🙂
thanks….and they’re by far one of my favorite pumps Kimberly!
Hello. I just love your work. So lady like so becoming. I must take the ride to mood’s. Keep up the great work love it 🙂
Aww…that means a lot Sewinghands, and YES Mood has expanded and has SO much great stuff. You must make the trip!
love the look. So we’ll put together and that clutch is amazing! Just signed up for Mood’s Sewing Class and can’t wait to cultivate these skills.
http://www.fashnbeaucoup.com
Thanks so much! And I’m very excited for you jumping into the class….should be lots of fun. Can’t wait to see what you create
I really like your work. Thank you so much for this tutorial. I always wanted to know how to make a beautiful clutch and can’t wait to make mine. j
Please share….can’t wait to see it 🙂
Great work. Where do you buy your leather?
Thanks Michelle, right here at Mood!
This is great and that color is one of my favorites! It gives me some ideas on what to do with some leftover faux leather I have…
yes…the possibilities with leather (and faux) are endless!
Thanks so much for the tutorial, I can’t wait to try this out.
Great work!
I’m excited for you Meesh!
Brandhyze, the clutch is fabulous!! Do you make them for others?
Thanks, and I have Nakeisha