Handmade Clutch Purses: Wedding-Ready With A Personal Touch

Making a handmade clutch purse for a wedding is a thoughtful way to gift a bride-to-be with a unique and personalised item. You can use fabric from your own wedding dress or that of a relative to create a clutch purse with sentimental value. Etsy offers a range of clutch purse patterns and kits to help you get started, or you can design your own. You will need to cut your fabric into a house shape, insert a magnetic snap, layer your fabrics, sew around the edges, clip the corners, turn the clutch right side out, press, and fold. You can also add a strap or embellishments such as lace and beading.

Choosing fabric and cutting it into a house shape

To make a handmade clutch purse for a wedding, you'll need to start by choosing your fabric and cutting it into a house shape. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Choosing the Right Fabric:

• Consider the type of fabric: Think about the texture, colour, and pattern of the fabric. For a wedding clutch, you might want to choose a fabric with a elegant and sophisticated look, such as satin, silk, or lace.
• Pre-wash the fabric: It is recommended to wash and dry the fabric before cutting and sewing. This will prevent shrinkage later on and ensure that your finished clutch maintains its shape.
• Iron the fabric: Once your fabric is washed and dried, give it a good iron to remove any wrinkles. This will make it easier to cut and work with.

Cutting the Fabric into a House Shape:

• Prepare your work area: Find a large, flat, uncluttered surface to work on. A table or the floor can work well. Just make sure you have enough space to lay out your fabric comfortably.
• Square your fabric: Line up the selvedge (the densely woven strip along the top and bottom edges of the fabric) on your work surface. If your fabric has a print or pattern, make sure it is running straight and parallel to the selvedge.
• Cut off the selvage: Use sharp fabric scissors to cut off the selvage edge, creating a clean, straight edge.
• Create a 90-degree angle: To form the base of your house shape, you need to create a 90-degree angle. You can do this by folding the fabric in half, matching the selvedge edges, or by using a table corner or a square ruler as a guide.
• Measure and mark: Decide on the desired size of your clutch. Measure and mark the fabric accordingly, using a ruler or measuring tape. You will need to measure and cut two identical house shapes, one for the outer fabric and one for the lining.
• Cut the fabric: Carefully cut along the measurements you have marked. Take your time and use sharp scissors to ensure straight and precise cuts.
• Check for accuracy: Once you have cut out your house shapes, fold them in half to check that the sides are even. You can also fold them diagonally to ensure that the angles are correct for a perfect house shape.

Tips for Cutting Fabric:

• Use sharp scissors: Invest in a good pair of sharp fabric scissors. This will make cutting easier and help you achieve cleaner, more precise cuts.
• Work with single layers: When cutting your fabric, work with single layers rather than stacking multiple layers. This will help you cut more accurately, especially if you are working with small pieces.
• Cut with the grain: The grain of the fabric is the direction in which the threads are woven. Cutting with the grain will help you achieve more stable and less stretchy cuts.
• Use a rotary cutter: For slippery fabrics or intricate cuts, consider using a rotary cutter and a self-healing cutting mat. This can help you achieve smoother and more precise cuts.

Inserting magnetic snaps

Prepare the Materials

Before starting, gather the necessary materials: magnetic snap closures, scraps of fusible interfacing or stabiliser, and a fabric pen.

Install the Magnetic Snap on the Flap

• Apply interfacing to each part of the flap to add weight and stability.
• Place one or two scrap pieces of interfacing where you plan to position the snap to reinforce the area.
• Centre the male snap (the flat part with prongs and a central nub) on the closure tab.
• Press the snap's prongs into the fabric and mark the indentations with a fabric pen.
• Cut along the marked lines with a seam ripper, being careful not to cut too far.
• Insert the snap through the right side of the fabric.
• Slide the washer over the prongs.
• Open the snap's prongs outwards and flatten them firmly, using pliers if needed.
• (Optional) Apply an additional layer of interfacing over the snap to prevent damage to the fabric.
• Place the two flap pieces together, with right sides facing each other, and stitch them, leaving the bottom part open for turning.
• Trim the curves or edges of the flap, being careful not to cut into any stitches.
• Turn the flap right side out and topstitch around the closure tab, leaving the bottom open.

Install the Magnetic Snap on the Body of the Bag

• Apply interfacing or stabiliser to the wrong side of the bag body where the second part of the magnetic snap will be installed.
• Mark the exact spot for the second part of the magnetic snap.
• Reach through the unfinished opening, keeping the outer and inner layers apart.
• Make two tiny slits in the outer shell at the marked spots, being careful not to cut through the inner lining.
• Insert the snap through the right side of the fabric.
• Slide the washer over the prongs, and then open and flatten the prongs.
• (Optional) Apply an additional layer of thin interfacing over the prongs.

Now you know how to insert magnetic snaps, you can add a professional touch to your handmade clutch purse!

Layering fabrics

Layering the fabrics is an important step in the process of making a handmade clutch purse for a wedding. Here is a detailed guide on how to layer the fabrics effectively:

• Cut the Fabric: Using the fabric clutch sewing pattern as a guide, cut out the required shapes from your chosen fabric. This typically includes the outer fabric, lining fabric, and cotton batting. Ensure that you cut the fabric pieces to the specified size, adding a small allowance for seams.
• Prepare the Layers: You will have three main layers: the batting, lining fabric, and outer fabric. Place the batting down first, followed by the lining fabric, and then the outer fabric. It is important to note that the lining fabric should be placed with its right side facing up, while the outer fabric should be placed with its right side facing down.
• Pin the Layers: Once you have arranged the layers in the correct order, use pins to secure them together. Pin all the way around the perimeter of the fabric pieces to hold them in place.
• Sew the Layers: Sew along the edges of the fabric layers, leaving an opening on one side. This opening will be used later to turn the clutch right side out. Use a seam allowance of approximately 1/2 inch, or adjust as needed according to your sewing preferences.
• Clip the Corners: After sewing, carefully clip the corners of the fabric, being cautious not to cut through the stitches. Clipping the corners helps create neat and crisp corners when the clutch is turned right side out.
• Turn and Press: Turn the clutch right side out through the opening you left in Step 4. Use your fingers or a blunt object to gently push out the corners and ensure they are well-defined. Press the fabric with an iron to create a neat and crisp finish. At this stage, you can also press the edges of the opening towards the inside, pinning them closed if needed.
• Close the Opening: With the opening neatly closed, fold your clutch in thirds, pin, and sew up the sides close to the edge. This will complete the basic structure of your clutch purse.

Remember to follow the specific measurements and instructions provided in your chosen clutch pattern. The above steps provide a general guide on layering fabrics for a handmade clutch purse, but adjustments may be necessary depending on the design and style of your chosen project.

Sewing the clutch

Now that you have your fabric cut into the house shape, it's time to start sewing your clutch!

Firstly, insert the magnetic snaps. You can add a little fusible interfacing on the back of the fabric where the snap will be inserted for added stability.

Next, layer your fabrics. Place the batting down first, then the lining fabric with the right side facing up, and finally the outer fabric with the right side facing down. Pin all the way around.

Now, sew around the edges with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Remember to leave an opening along one side for turning the fabric inside out.

Once you've sewn the edges, carefully clip the corners, being careful not to cut the stitches. Then, turn the clutch right side out and press it. At the opening, press the edges inside, and you can pin it closed if you like. You will sew this opening closed in the next step.

Finally, fold your clutch into thirds and pin the sides. Sew up the sides close to the edge, and your clutch is now complete!

Adding a clasp

Step 1: Prepare the Fabric

Before you start attaching the clasp, you need to prepare your fabric pieces. Cut out the fabric for the body of the clutch, the flap, and the strap according to your chosen pattern. You will need two pieces of fabric for each of these components: one for the exterior and one for the lining. Interface the fabric pieces to give them structure and stability. Follow the instructions on your interfacing for the best results.

Step 2: Create the Strap

To make the strap, fold the fabric lengthwise with the right sides together. Sew along the fold, then fold the fabric in the opposite direction so the right side is facing outwards. Top stitch along the fold. Next, fold in the flaps and clip them down to form a neat fold parallel to your previous stitch. Top stitch again to secure the strap. Finally, fold the strap in half and stitch the ends together to create a loop.

Step 3: Construct the Body

Place the interfaced exterior fabric pieces together, right sides facing. Wedge the strap between the layers, positioning it approximately 3/8 inches from the top. Clip the pieces together and sew around, leaving the top open. Form a triangle at the bottom corners, measure and mark 1.5 inches from the tip, then stitch along this line. Trim the excess fabric. Repeat this process for the lining fabric, leaving an opening in one of the seams.

Step 4: Attach the Flap

Prepare the flap by placing the exterior fabric and lining together, right sides facing. Sew along the sides and bottom, leaving the top open. Trim the corners and turn the flap right side out. Top stitch along the three closed edges. Mark the centre of the flap, and attach the magnetic snap or metal clasp following the manufacturer's instructions.

Step 5: Assemble the Clutch

Place the flap, lining side up, and position the exterior body on top, lining up the edges. Stitch the flap to the body. Press the seam to flatten any bulk. Fold the flap over and mark the centre, then attach the other half of the magnetic snap or metal clasp. Finally, insert the lining inside the exterior body, gluing the edges if needed. Top stitch around the top edge to secure the lining in place.

Frequently asked questions