DIY.. Fold Over Clutch With Ribbon Detail

Today I’m working with Renaissance Ribbons and sharing my southwestern fold over clutch.

I’ve wanted to sew a fold over clutch for quite some time. They are very simple to make and basically a large rectangle that folds in half… However, as most of my sewing projects go, I wanted to add an extra detail that would give my pouch some punch.

My husband recently visited Texas and as a result our family has Texas on the brain – cows and horses, ranching, branding, eating and hunting [ although I don’t understand or quite like the hunting part..]. While looking at his pictures I realized that a southwestern motif might be the perfect embellishment for my clutch..

I’ve had a yard of Robert Kaufman’s Chambray Union fabric sitting in my stash and when I placed Amy Butler’s “Hapi” ribbon on top of the indigo fabric – I felt I had captured the spirit of the southwest.

Materials:

1. 1/2 yard –  cotton fabric
2. 1/2 yard – lining fabric
3. 1/2 yard  – fusible lightweight interfacing
4. 1 yard colorful ribbon
5. Sewing machine
6. Sewing supplies
7. Zipper –  9″
8. Iron and ironing board
9. Velcro – iron on or sew in
10. Marking pen, pencil or chalk

Before we get started, you need to prepare your fabric pieces:

1. Main / clutch – Draw a letter size rectangle [ 8 1/2″W x 11″L ] on a large piece of paper and add 1/2″ seam allowance around the outside edge. Cut out 2 pieces from the main fabric, cut out 2 pieces from the lining fabric and cut out 2 pieces from the interfacing. Fuse the interfacing to wrong side of main fabric pieces.
2. Pocket – Draw a rectangle measuring 8 1/2″W x 5 1/2″ L. Add 1/2″ seam allowance around the outside edge. Cut out 1 piece from the main fabric, cut out 1 piece from the interfacing and cut 1 piece from the lining fabric. Fuse the interfacing to wrong side of main fabric piece.
3. Zipper Tabs – from the main fabric cut out 2 rectangles measuring 2″W x 3″L. Note – use interfacing if the fabric is lightweight and flimsy.
4. Ribbon – cut 3 pieces width of the fabric

Ok. Let’s get sewing:

1. Prepare the zipper – cut  the zipper to be 1 1/2″ ” less than the width of the fabric [ this gives wiggle room and also allows for the seam allowance ]. Turn and fold each side of the tab inwards. Place over each end of the zipper and stitch in place. Repeat for the other end.
2. Place the zipper face down on the main fabric. There should be about 3/4″ less on each end. Pin. Change to the zipper foot on your machine and stitch in place. Press. Cut extra fabric from tab ends.
3. Lay the lining fabric piece on top of the main fabric, sandwiching the zipper. Pin. Stitch in place. Press with a warm iron. Be careful to not touch or melt the zipper teeth. Repeat for the other side. Lay everything face up. Press wrinkles out.
4. Place the ribbon on either side of the zipper. Turn up the lining fabric, pin and then stitch the ribbon down. Note – Do not pin or stitch through to the lining fabric. Repeat for the other side. Press with a warm iron.
5. Sew the pocket pieces together. Place right sides together, pin and sew together [ short side] Press the seam. Open up the seam allowance and press again. Fold over at the seam, roll the lining back just slightly so that is sits a slim 1/8″ from the pocket edge. Press again.. Iron or stitch a small piece of  velcro along the top edge on the lining.
6. Place ribbon along the top pocket edge. Pin in place and sew down along both sides. Press.
7. Find the velcro placement for main clutch front piece. Iron or stitch in place. Pin pocket to main front clutch piece. Do not pin though to the lining.
8. Open the zipper. Place right sides of main fabric pieces together and right sides of the lining fabric together. Pin along outside edge. Place into sewing machine and stitch together with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Note – Make sure to open zipper before stitching the clutch together.. otherwise you will have issues turing the clutch right side out.. Trust me on this one..
9. Trim excess fabric from the corners. Pull everything right side out. Wiggle the corners into place. Press with a warm iron.

That’s it for today. Have a great week and Happy Thanksgiving.

Please note that Renaissance Ribbons sponsored the ribbon for this post. However, I selected the ribbon to match the clutch design and appreciate contributions such as these. Several trips to the fabric store each week add up.. All opinions are my own. Have a great day.