Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Denim Fold-Over Clutch Tutorial



My most recent project - this time with a bit of grunge - a denim fold-over clutch. I sketched this clutch in one of those late night inspired creative bursts when you just have to put the idea on paper. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. Just like I had imagined it to be. I used just one leg of my husband's old pair of jeans.



You will need:




Main Fabric - Denim - 11 1/2" X 7 1/2" - Cut 4
I joined 2 pieces to form a rectangle measuring 11 1/2" x 14" You can just cut a 2 rectangles measuring 11 1/2" x 14" . If you do this skip step1 and proceed to step2

Lining Fabric  - 11 1/2" X 14" - Cut 2

Zipper - 10 1/2" -From  The Happy Hands Store

Tabs for Zipper - 1 1/2" X 1 1/4"

Strap - 12 1/2" X 2"

Rivets (Gold) -From  The Happy Hands Store -  I used 15

A piece of lace - for the zipper pull

Method:

1. Place the 7 1/2" side of 2 pieces of main fabric right sides facing each other. Sew down with a 1/2" seam allowance. Open the seam and press. This forms a rectangle measuring 11 1/2" X 14". Do the same for the other 2 pieces. Keep aside.

2. Fold the 1 1/4" side of the tab by 1/2" towards the wrong side and press. Place this on the edge of the zipper overlapping by 1/2". Sew down close to the fold. Do the same on the other side as well.




3. Take one piece of the strap and mark for the rivets. You can add rivets in any random fashion as well. My markings went thus: 1" from the shorter edge and 1/2" from either side of the longer edge (for 2 rivets), 1" from the longer edge for single rivets.

4. Use an awl to punch holes into the fabric and attach rivets using a eyelet tool and punch it down.


5. Once all the rivets are attached, sew the longer edges (wrong sides together) with a zig-zag stitch. I did this to minimise the layers that the needle passes through. Keep this aside.

6. Take one piece of the main fabric (it now measures 11 1/2" X 14"). The zipper will be attached to the side that measures 11 1/2". Place the right side facing up, align the zipper (runner side facing down) with the edge of the main fabric. Now place the lining fabric with the right side facing down. Make sure all the 3 edges are aligned and sew the whole thing with a 1/2" seam allowance. Do the same for the other side.



7. Flip the fabrics round the right way. Topstitch along the edge of the fabric on both sides. This ensures that the lining will not get stuck in the zipper teeth while using the clutch.



8. Baste the shorter edges of the strap to one side of the main fabric (keep the lining away while doing this). I placed the strap 4" from the bottom edge of the main fabirc.



9. Open the zipper more than halfway.

10. Now make the right sides of the main fabric face each other do the same for the lining fabric as well. The zipper will automatically move into the lining side of the fabric sandwich.

11. Pin all the layers starting with the main fabric layer and matching up all edges. Leave a gap of about 3  about a 3 1/2" in the lining fabric. Sew all around using a 1/2" seam allowance.


12. Turn the whole thing right side out through the gap that we had left in the lining fabric and press. Sew the opening in the lining closed. Put the lining into the main shell.

13. Pass a piece of lace through the runner and tie a knot to make a zipper pull. I sewed the raw edges of the lace as well.

Ta-daa! Your clutch is ready!!


6 comments:

  1. Hi, did you use a different needle for sewing on denim material

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Deepa, I used needle no.16 Different needles are not needed for denim.

    ReplyDelete
  3. gorgeous clutch, and lovely tutorial. thank you, suma!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the lovely words Jaya :)

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  4. Wow Lovely post.. I am really impressed.. I would love for you to do a guest post on my blog !
    Let me know if u r interested :)
    http://www.ananyatales.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ananya :) A guest post? Why not. Lets talk about it.

      Delete