The Bow Clutch: An Evening Bag Beauty!
4/17/2012 08:10:00 PMSharing is caring:
I just have to share one of the sewing projects I've been working on this week, because I'm thinking it turned pretty darn gorgeous! Do you need a clutch for an event or wedding and you are just tired of your same old black one you took to your high school graduation? Throw that raggy little bag out and make a Bow Clutch to match every shoe color in your closet.
Why this bag:
About two months ago my neighbor, Nannette, asked me to make her a clutch for a wedding she is going to at the end of April, and of course I said yes (any excuse to sew a bag). Upon returning to my house, I promptly forgot all about it. Then two days ago she reminded me and "uh oh!" it's only 2 weeks away. She gave me a gorgeous Nine West shoe, that she wanted the bag to match and off I went, my brain scanning my memory bank of clutch patterns, whilst my car was on it's way to the fabric shop. Three fabric stores later, I didn't find an exact match, but I'm hoping she still likes it because I was just drawn like a magnet to this shiny stuff.
Where can you find this pattern:
I was immediately in looove Whitney's (from Elm Street Life) clutch right away. Wow, that cute yellow bag just draws you in doesn't it? Classy and cute at the same time. I can see I'm not the only one that likes it, it's had a great following on Pinterest lately too! The tutorial is easy to follow and I'd highly recommend it even for first time zipper sewers. It's sew easy, get the tute HERE!
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| Source: Elm Street Life |
About my version:
I made a couple changes, that I think worked out rather well, but didn't change the look of the bag much at all, except it is 1" longer than the original.
1) First, I used a thin, sparkly, polyester fabric. I'm actually not sure what it is, but it's almost like a wrinkled satin with metallic threads going through it. What a bargain for $8.00 for a 1 meter remnant! Because of this, I didn't want to use the iron on interfacing, and instead I opted for a light-medium weight sew-in woven interfacing. To apply this, I simply cut pieces of interfacing the same size as the exterior pieces and the bow band. I pinned the fabric to the interfacing and sewed around the edges using a 1/8" seam allowance. (Use a lot of pins so your fabric doesn't slide.) Using interfacing would be a must with this fabric. The only issue I had using this cloth was that I had a few pulls or runs, probably made because I hadn't cut through all the way with my rotary cutter while cutting the pieces and pulled them apart. I used regular thread and a universal needle.
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| Pin fabric to interfacing and sew around edges using 1/8" seam. |
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| I love the way the zipper turned out! |
3) I found my bow band was a bit too big, and this could be because of my thinner material. So instead of sewing it 2" from the folded edge, I sewed it 1.5" from the folded edge. (This is shown in her second last photo of her Step 6.)
4) I rounded the bottom corners, as she suggests at the end of the tutorial. I just like that better!
5) Lastly, I found the wrist strap nicely done, however I wanted it a bit thinner so changed the width to 2.5". It worked out fab.
I hope you like it, and make one of your own. If not, Whitney sells them in her Etsy shop!
Thank you for looking,
This post is shared at THESE link parties and other fab blogs.
36 comments
Love the pattern. You did an amazing job sewing it.
ReplyDeleteOh that you Natalie! It's so quick, I think I'll make another.
DeleteJanelle,
ReplyDeleteYour bag turned out beautifully! I love your version, as well as the original yellow one! Both are supah fab!
Thank you Dawn! I have never loved yellow until I saw that bag ;) Janelle
DeleteLove this! So pretty!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra!
DeleteLove it, I need to make one of these in every colour!
ReplyDeleteGo for it Mel, I am already thinking about my next one!
DeleteThis looks great! You are so talented your bags are beautiful! I would love for you to share this at my link party
ReplyDeletehttp://thewinthropchronicles.blogspot.com/2012/04/share-it-link-party-7.html
Love it! I love the fabric and the shape of the clutch. Thanks so much for sharing at Whimsy Wednesdays at The NY Melrose Family .
ReplyDeleteSuper cute. I pinned it in case I ever want to sew a purse.
ReplyDeleteYou did such an amazing job! I would love for you to link up to my Linky Party via: http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/2012/04/live-linky-party-10.html
ReplyDeleteMrs. Delightful
www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com
Superb idea.. I love the style.. I am pinning it! Thanks for linking up at friday fun party :)
ReplyDeleteI love this! Totally could have used this last night! Thanks for linking up to the Pomp Party!
ReplyDeleteJill @ Create.Craft.Love.
I have seen a couple versions of this bag. It is so cute and makes my happy. I LOVE that you made this perfect for a night at a wedding... shimmery, soft, and elegant!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for linking up to Pomp Party this week:)
I LOVE it! I don't own any clutches, but I think I need one now. I need to go see what fabric and zippers I have. It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shiloh! Just Sew it! ;) I am already planning some more in my head too!! Janelle
DeleteSuper cute little clutch - I love it, that material looks great too!
ReplyDelete~Amy @ Permanent Kisses
WONDERFUL!!! I love the clutch!! Great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!
Beautiful and classy!! I will be featuring you this week on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Igottacreate/100573240032625
ReplyDeletethanks so much for linking up at I Gotta Create! <3 Christina
I love the clutch, you have used a great fabric for it. It looks very classy! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a pretty clutch! The comment you made about the same black clutch from high school cracked me up! Just got rid of mine last year and it has been many many years since then!
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Trish
Wow! This turned out just lovely! Thanks for sharing it with us :)
ReplyDeleteThis is just the cutest clutch EVER! Thanks so much for sharing at Craft and Tell!
ReplyDeleteThis turned out great! I totally need one.
ReplyDeletemarissa
http://raegunwear.blogspot.com
I thought this was so fun, I featured it this week. Thanks for linking up.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty clutch.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mindie!
DeleteSuch a great project!!! thank you for sharing, Janelle!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is gorgeous, along with all your bags! Thanks so much for linking it up!
ReplyDeleteKim@madeinaday
Thanks for linking up to the Tuesday To Do Party! Hope you'll come again this week! This month's Pretty Packages party is now up for any of your lovely wrapped gifts!
ReplyDeletehttp://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/2012/04/pretty-packages-party-14-highlights.html
Smiles!
Jami
www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com
I just found you via the blog hop! Your bags are so great!! I just made my first two clutches and a tote... I think I'm addicted. Anyway, love the blog, and am now following along!
ReplyDeletethat bow clutch is fantastic! loooove it! found you via the link up and am excited to follow! xo
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteJenella, thanks a lot for sharing DIY . This is suer fabulous and lovely Evening Clutch Bags. I cant wait to try it just now.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteThis above post about clutches is just awesome..I loved all these above displayed clutch bags...Good to use...Its a perfect style partner....
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