Have you ever wanted to get into handbag making but did not know where to start? Do you see all of these intricate DIY handbags online and get overwhelmed? Well I have a solution for you, why not try a zipper clutch bag? A clutch bag is one of the easiest DIY bags to start with because there are only a few pieces and a few steps. Today I want to show you how I turned this 12” x 9” precut felt fabric pieces into a stylish clutch bag. Here are the tools you will need:
- (2) Main fabric cut 12” x 9”
- (2) Lining fabric cut 12” x 9”
- (2) Fusible fleece 12” x 9” (if necessary)
- (2) Woven interfacing 12” x 9”
- (1) 10” zipper
- Coordinating thread
- Scissors
- Pins or clips
Note: If you are using a sturdy fabric such as leather, denim, canvas, or cork for your main fabric, then fusible fleece will not be necessary.
Prep: Fuse the fusible fleece to your main fabric and the woven interfacing to your lining fabric
Working with 1 main fabric, 1 lining fabric, zipper and pins (clips)
Place the main fabric with the right side facing up and place the zipper at the top with the zipper pull facing down
Place the lining fabric on top with the right side facing down, sandwiching the zipper between
Clip the top edge
Using a zipper foot, sew down the top edge
Open up the fabric so that the zipper is exposed
Place the main fabric and lining fabric with wrong sides facing to fully expose the zipper
Top stitch the top edge
Working with the remaining main fabric and lining fabric
Place the main fabric face down on the zipper, with the zipper pull facing the right side of the fabric
Place 1 clip to hold the fabric in place and flip the pieces so that the lining fabric is facing up
Place the remaining lining piece on top, again sandwiching the zipper and the right sides of the lining facing
Clip the top edge
Using a zipper foot, sew down the top edge
Open the clutch so that the main fabric and lining fabric that you just added to the other side of the zipper are wrong sides facing
Top stitch the top edge of the other side of the zipper
Open the clutch so that the main fabric is showing on top on both sides
Flip the clutch over to open up the lining on both sides as well
Open the zipper at least half way (this will allow you to turn the clutch once it is sewn together
Place the 2 main fabrics with right sides facing and the 2 lining fabrics with right sides facing
Pin (clip) around the clutch. When clipping the ends of the zipper, make sure that the zipper tape is facing the lining
Leave a 4” to 5” opening in the bottom of the lining while pinning
Sew around the bag leaving that opening in the bottom of the lining
Clip the corners and trim the excess seam allowance around the clutch
Using the opening that you left in the bottom of the lining, turn the bag to the right side
Clip and sew the opening that you left in the lining by sewing close to the edge
Place the lining on the inside of the bag
Zip up your clutch
You are all done! I hope that this tutorial was helpful, if you have any questions leave them in the comment section below. If you would like to see a step by step video tutorial on sewing a clutch bag, click here.