Fold Over Clutch

This Fold Over Clutch from Lelanie Denso is great for spring and summer.  It's easy to make and fun to decorate!  Mix and match fabrics and add your own lace and embellishments to make this clutch something special!  You can't loose with sewing projects like this!

Materials:

• A zipper 3 cm x 21 cm
• Magnetic snaps
• Lace for embellishment
• Iron-on interfacing (optional)
• Inner pocket - 2 pcc. 11 cm. x 23 cm.
• 2 pcs. lining fabic 21 cm. x 23 cm.
• 2 pcs. exterior fabric A 8.5 cm. x 23 cm.
• 2 pcs. exterior fabric B 12.5 cm. x 23 cm.
• 2 zipper tabs 3 cm. x 6 cm.

Notes:

• If you decide to just have one fabric for the exterior of your clutch, unlike the one I made where the bottom part of the clutch is a gingham patterned fabric and a plain fabric for the top, then just cut 2 pieces of fabric sized: 21 cm. x 24 cm.
• The iron-on interfacing or stabilizer is optional. If you don't have it, you can still make this project. Since the fabric I used has a very soft feel to it, I decided to stabilize my fabric pieces just so it would be sturdier. You can also iron all pieces before sewing and assembling everything.
  
   

Instructions:

1. Get your tab pieces and fold it as if you're making a bias tape as shown.
   
   
   
   
2. I always take out the metal ends of the zipper just to make sure I won't be bending or breaking my needle when sewing through or beside it. Place your zipper in such a way that it's in between two ends folded inwards, but the end of your zipper should be 1 cm. away from the folded end of the tab. This will avoid bulk making it easier for you to sew beside the tab later. Just sew straight stitches as shown above and don't forget to backtrack.
   
   
   
   
3. Do the same to the other end and tab so you will have this. Set aside.
   
   
   
   
4. Take the pocket fabric pieces, right side together and sew straight stitches 1/4" away from the edge. Turn it inside-out so now, the wrong sides of the fabric are inwards. Topstitch over the side that you have sewn together.
    
5. Get one of your lining fabric (mine is a plain cotton-linen). Place your pocket piece on top of it aligning well the bottom part of the pocket (unsewn part) to the lining. Sew basting stitches on both sides and the bottom as shown below. This is to make sure you will be able to catch all fabric pieces later. I have decided to divide the pocket into two unequal parts (the smaller pocket will be for a mobile phone). If you decided to do the same, just sew straight stitches on the pocket piece without forgetting to backtrack. Set aside.
   
   
   
   
6. Get the exterior fabric pieces (mine's one gingham and one plain). With the fabric pieces right sides together, sew straight stitches 1/4" away from the edge. Sew zigzag stitches to avoid fraying of the fabric as linen or cotton-liinen blend tend to fray easily.
   
    
    
7. Lay down the sewn pieces, right side facing up and topstitch on the area where you joined both fabric pieces. Do the same to the remaining fabric pieces.
   
   
   
   
8. Pin your zipper on top of one of the outer piece, right side of the zipper facing the right side of the fabric. Place on top of that one inner piece (right side of the inner piece facing the right side of the outer piece).
   
   
    
9. Using your zipper foot, sew on the zipper.
   
    
    
10. Topstitch but only through the outer fabric.
    
     
     
11. It looked so plain and boring to me so I added a vintage lace to embellish the clutch. Using the same procedure, sew on the inner and outer fabric pieces to the other side of the zipper.
    
     
     
12. Fold the purse to determine where you'll have to insert the metal snaps. Mark the area where you have to cut the slits.
    
    
    
    
13. Insert the snap pieces and to secure it, place a small square of fabric in between each piece. Do the same to the other snap.
    
     
    
    
     
14. Leave the zipper open. Pin together both inner pieces and both outer pieces. Sew straight stitches 1/4" away from the edge leaving 3" of the bottom edge of the inner piece unsewn so you can turn the clutch inside out later. Secure the fabric and prevent fraying by sewing zigzag stitches.
    
    
    
    
15. Sew straight stitches on all of the edges of the purse as shown. This will give your purse more room.
    
    
    
    
     
16. Cut the tips leaving about 1/4" allowance from the straight stitches. To prevent fraying, sew zigzag stitches. Turn your purse inside-out through the 3" unsewn part of the inner fabrics. You will thank yourself for leaving the zipper open so you can turn your purse inside out without any fuzz!  Sew close the unsewn part using your desired method.