My Clutch

I had a special date night coming up with my husband and I wanted to make a clutch to go with my new dress!  I decided to try and make one with out a pattern!

First I picked up my supplies:  Green for the outside, purple lining, batting, fusible interfacing, and a fancy button.

Then I started to cut out the fabric. Tip #1  Measure!  Ooops... First I made it too long, then it ended up crooked in the end. (I still love it though.)

I had decided to make the outer part have pleats in it to add interest.  I started by pinning 3 pleats in the "middle" (I did not measure them again and so they are off center on mine.)  Tip #2 Sew pleats into place underneath... I kept having to fool with mine and make them sit still.... in the end that caused them to be in the wrong place.... They still look nice though!

 

Next, I cut out the lining to the same size as my green out fabric.  (Make sure you make it strait as this was where most of my measurements where off.)  Then I fused the lining to it and pinned the batting to that.

The next step was so hard I did not take detailed pictures during it.  I had to sew the lining to the outer (right sides together) but I also wanted a clean line on the part where I sewed up the sides.  After trial and error I finally got it correct. Here are a couple of me testing the length and folding process.

At this point a small "inspector" came along to check on the quality of my fabric!

Finally I sewed a hook and eye inside and put a pretty decorative button on the outside!  Here is the final product!!!!

                                 The pretty button!                                The hook and eye 

                                                                              (I wish I had done a different closure.)

 

                                         Open                                              Inside

 The back

Here is a picture of us after our date!

A Purse Full of Fustration!

I had many problems with this purse.  Much of it due to my own misreading of instructions and choice of fabric.

I chose to use cotton that i found on sale.  Many parts of the construction where very easy.  I had misread one step which gave me 2 hours of frustration.  The fabric was not stiff so I had to add interfacing.  Then I did not like how the zipper went in so I had to play with that.  I also decided to give it a lining as it did not have one.

Some good things about the pattern where, I loved making the strap.  It has great, easy to make pockets on the outside, and it is nice and spacious.

Not the best pic but here it is.  It does have a squared bottom but it got set on the floor so it look weird.

This is a pic of me making the strap.  I actually had fun getting the fabric to fold right and ironing it into place.