Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Lined Sequin Clutch With Zipper: a tutorial


As promised, I've created a tutorial for the clutch that matches this skirt. I honestly love these bags. They really help to dress up an outfit. I've taken them out with me twice now, both black and gold, and have gotten so many compliments. It's even more fun to surprise people by telling them I made it. I also love that there is plenty of room for all of my essentials. 


Of course, if sequins aren't your thing you can use this tutorial to make any zippered, lined pouch. I'd recommend a quilting cotton or any no-stretch fabric. You can also change up the dimensions to any size to fit your needs. 

Materials:

1/4 yd +  Sequin/Outer Fabric (use a no-stretch fabric if possible)

1/4 yd + Lining Fabric

One 9"+ Zipper


Let's talk about the zipper. I chose a more expensive black/gold zipper (Hobby Lobby)  to up the style factor. These heavy-duty metal zippers are a little harder to work with than your average zipper. If you're not careful you could break a needle or two trying to sew through the teeth. I'll give you my tips on avoiding that a little later. 


Do you need a zipper foot for this tutorial? 

No. If you have one or are planning on buying one anyways then yes, but otherwise you really can get away without it. The trick is to buy a zipper that's too big. You really only need a 9" zipper for this tutorial, but if you're working without a zipper foot you'll want to go up to a 14". They just so happen to be the same price in this case. 

Using a too big zipper means that the zipper tab won't get in the way of your presser foot, making it much easier to sew with. In the following tutorial I've used a too big (14") zipper without a zipper foot.


Cut two lining pieces and two outer fabric pieces to the dimensions of 11.5" x 9".





Sew with a 1/4" inseam.






Pin and sew with a 1/4 " inseam. Now you should have something like this:



Top stitching helps to keep the lining fabric from getting caught up in the zipper. 


It's very important that you unzip the zipper a little over half way before going on to the next steps. Otherwise you won't have a way to turn your bag right side out. 


With the zipper over halfway un-zipped, join the two sequin pieces, right sides together and the two lining pieces, right sides together. Pin in place and sew as shown. Make sure to leave a gap at the middle of the bottom edge of the lining so that you can turn the bag right side out. 


This is the tough part about sewing with these heavy-duty metal zippers that I mentioned earlier. First of all, make sure that the zipper is bent toward your sequin/outer fabric when it goes through your machine. 

When you get to this point where your needle is about to hit those metal teeth, stop the machine. Use the hand turn on your machine (turning towards you) to slowly make it through, past the teeth. If you get to a point where your needle will absolutely not make it through then pick up your presser foot and push the needle just past the difficult spot. Continue sewing as shown above. 


Now you should have something like this:

Make sure the seams are nice and straight because they determine the shape of the bag. Snip out extra seam allowance and the corners as shown. 


Snip the extra zipper off with heavy duty scissors or wire cutters.


Stick your hand through the gap in the lining bottom and pull the bag right side out. It's kind of like a magic trick (;


Poke out the corners of your outer fabric. Pin the gap in the lining closed.


Machine or hand sew.


Poke the lining down into the clutch and...





Try out other styles as well. I love this black and blue mint combo.


Tutorial for the matching sequin skirt here!

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If this all looks like a little too much for you, but you still love this clutch, come check out my Etsy shop. I've just listed 7 clutches (4 black, 3 gold).  The gold are a bit more expensive because the material itself is very pricey. 


Another thought I had, for those that may have a hard time finding the materials, is to sell "Make Your Own Clutch" kits. Of course these would be cheaper than the finished clutches. Please let me know if you'd be interested in purchasing something like this. 


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35 comments

Madison said...

Just found your blog and I love it, (may or may not have read through every past post!) great job & great tutorials!! Keep it up!

Vero - Feitodelua said...

Beautiful! Simple & cute!

Anonymous said...

absolutely loved it, so much so that I had to buy one!

Anita said...

This is brilliant. Great DIY, I can't wait to go home and try it out with some faux-leather I have at home.

Unknown said...

OMG... I'd LOVE a kit!! Especially if you had a black and pink combo!! :)

p.s. I'm a fairly new follower and LOVE your blog!

Sara said...

This is so cute! I've been on the lookout for a clutch but nothing is what I want or need. These are so cute and perfect! I'm going to be breaking out the sewing machine.
Much love,
Sara

Lady Mockingbird said...

funny, i had something like this in mind as a gift for a cousin... thanks for the tutorial!

p.s. so happy to see you got your etsy store up and running!

~Amy
www.LadyMockingbird.com

Carmen said...

Love love love your blog!
Carmen

Tausha Sundermeier said...

So Cute! I just used a tutorial to shorten a metal zipper. It is actually pretty easy to do and would definitely help in the "breaking needle" problem I CONSTANTLY get when trying to sew through the zippers. here it is: http://www.craftpassion.com/2011/06/how-to-shorten-metal-zipper.html

Ana Love Craft said...

Hi Katy,

Gourgeous those elegant purses! Thanks for sharing such a clear tutorial. I love your blog,so many beautiful thinks.
Have a look at my blog I'll be happy :).

Hugs from Portugal
Ana Love Craft

www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

Kaitlin @ Wunderbar said...

I've been looking for a clutch tutorial! Perfect.

Unknown said...

This is such an amazing tutorial. I've been attempting to become friends with my sewing machine and I have just the material for this project. Thank you so much for all of your wonderful information. I'm a Texas girl too and I've been following your blog for quite some time.

Anonymous said...

This is really pretty, you do great tutorials :)

ABI said...

I just found this tutorial and your blog I love this DIY! New follower! :)
xx

CLara

Anonymous said...

I would love to purchase a kit in the black sequin. How much are the kits?

Kiki said...

I just clicked over via FB and I just wanted to say that I love your new blog header! The calligraphy is so pretty. I'd love to know what program you used/how you made it! I just sorta re-designed mine, too. I love that we have a font in common (I used the same font as your sponsor title).

Anyway, just wanted to say your new blog design looks great (as always!).

And I just read your about page and never realized you're a college student studying to be an elementary school teacher. So am I! :)

Diana said...

Wow your blog is great. I especially love this post and the post with the sequin-skirt - wow such great great great ideas!

V. said...

Great! I'm following you! :)


New post on SEARCH IN FASHION - DIY: Spike earrings

Miss B. said...

This is great, all your tutorials are done so well!

sarah said...

I love this tutorial and omg you live in texas, so do I!!! Anyways, I love how simple you make this sound! I just saw your new blog design, and I love it, though I admit I will miss the old cute picture of that adorable fabric!

Http://5footchic.blogspot.com

The Side Gig said...

Just found your blog from Pinterest, it's amazing! I LOVE the tutorials.

lisacng said...

Love the detailed instructions!

Casey Somerville said...

I love the clutch! It made me think of that Deux Lux weekender bag that was super popular this past spring... (this one: http://deuxlux.com/product/week/DL311-137P.html) I wonder if you could take a preexisting bag and make something similar to that bag. Any ideas? Or a tutorial? :D

Great blog!

------
A collaged life: thetwentyninth.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Hi! this is the first time i see your blog and i'm totally in love with it!! Just like you i enjoy making my own clothes and showing everything in my blog but yours is grat beacuse you show the hole process.

Keep like that, you've got a new follower!

http://coudsmoidressing.canalblog.com/

kaila mo said...

ahh i love this, your awesome this is so great! i lovee your blog, it's wonderful, i'm so glad i just found it! i'm actually going to school in the fall to get my seamstress certification, and i am so excited, i'll be able to make cute things like this!!

The Mint Thread said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Love this! I used it to sew a zip for the first time. I changed the dimensions and used much less fancy fabric since it was a test run. I still have a lot of practice to do, and still am happy with the result. I posted my version on my blog, linking back to this of course.

Anonymous said...

Please make more of these beautiful clutches! I'd love to purchase one in the future...Gold with hot pink inside could be a fun combo!

Beth said...

I love the gold sequined fabric. Great job!

Pretty cool stuff said...

Just find your blog via Pinterest, w a u w !!!!
I like it!
Katrien Belgium.

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for posting this. I've been looking at it for a year and finally got around to making one for a Xmas present for a friend. Turned out great! Going to make another! :)

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for posting this. I've been looking at it for a year and finally got around to making one for a Xmas present for a friend. Turned out great! Going to make another! :)

Jennie B said...

Where did you get the fabric?? I couldn't find any at Joann's. Hobby Lobby??

Cat said...

I might be interested in buying a make- your-own kit! How much are you selling them for?

Fabrics_World_USA said...

Wow your blog was great.I used it to sew a zip for the first time. And still am happy with the result. Thanks for sharing. Love from Fabrics World USA

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