DIY Project: Handmade Clutches

Recently, I was perusing Classic Bride and found the most wonderful How To post. Back in July, Classic Bride held a DIY contest & the winner, Emily, submitted a fantastic & simple project for making bridesmaid clutches. I love this idea & want to personalize it to my bridesmaids as gifts. Depending on how the actual project goes, I may make some for our Mothers of the Bride & Groom! On to the wonderful project!

(Source)

Bridesmaid Clutches
Supplies:
- purse frame
- fabric (Upholstery weight fabric gives the clutches more stiffness)
- interfacing
- thread
- sewing machine
- cardboard

Step 1
Pick out your frame and use it as a guide to make a pattern. This may take some experimenting.

Step 2

Use your pattern to cut the fabric. Do this twice-once for the outside of the clutch and once for the inside.

Step 3
Also cut the pattern out of the interfacing.

Step 4
Iron the interfacing to the back of each piece of fabric.

Step 5
Put the fabric back-to-back

Step 6
Using the frame as a guide, fold over the fabric to hem. Iron to keep in place and then sew! Be careful to sew as close to the edge as possible so the stitches will stay under the frame.

Step 7
Do the same for the other sides.

Step 8

Attach tiny pieces of cardboard to the edges with strong glue. The cardboard helps to fill the frame and is useful for gluing. Allow to dry.

Step 9
Now add more glue to the other side of the cardboard and fit into the frame. I use a flathead screwdriver to make sure that all of the fabric is pushed into the frame.

Step 10
Rub the glue off the frame! Now you have beautiful clutches to match your beautiful bridesmaids!

Emily also has her own blog.