no-sew clutch

There aren't a slew of occasions for me to get fancy for in my day-to-day life. I usually keep my fashionability pretty low-key, jeans & a tee & go. But every once in a while I'll need to get dressed up & there's always the issue of where to put my keys (why don't all dresses come with pockets?). I usually don't remember this fashion-dillema until it's too late. Today I decided to prepare ahead of time & make a clutch. 

The great part about this lovely thing is that it's a no-sew! I've mentioned before how much I love my sewing machine, but for those of you without a machine to sew with, never fear! Hot glue is here! This tutorial could just as easily be done with a sewing machine if you apply this trick before starting. 

To make this clutch, you'll need a few things:

• Vinyl
• Lining fabric
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Hot glue & hot glue gun
• Magnetic purse clasp
• Pliers
• Pencil
• Measuring tape
• Button (optional)

First, lay your vinyl right side down. Fold your vinyl into thirds & you'll see your clutch begin to take shape. Unfold one third. This will be the flap. Measure midway (at 4 inches) on the inside & make two marks with your pencil, about 1/4 inch apart. This is where you'll insert one half of your magnetic purse clasp.  

Make two small incisions where your pencil marks are. We're not going to install this clasp yet, but you may want to set your clasp inside the incisions to get an idea of where the second half of the clasp will go. We'll finish installing this clasp after we've done the lining. 

On the other third of your vinyl, make two marks at the half way point for the other half of the clasp. Make sure both clasps will meet at a good point! This is where setting the first clasp in place comes in handy.

On your new marks, make two incisions as before. Each half of your purse clasp will come with a  small metal disk. Feed the clasp through the right side of your vinyl, then through the metal disk on the back. Use pliers to flatten the tabs.

Flip your vinyl over, & lay your ribbon over the flap in the front, folding around to the back. Make sure your ribbon covers the area where the first clasp will sit. 

On the back, use your hot glue gun to glue the ribbon in place.

Only glue on the back!  Do not glue on the front! We'll need this ribbon open to install the first clasp.

With the vinyl facing right side down, take your lining fabric & lay it right side up on top. Fold the lining fabric in on the edges, matching up to the shape of your vinyl. This creates a "hem."

Using your hot glue gun, tack just the edges of your lining down to hold it in place. 

Now to finally install the first clasp. Since you've made incisions on the vinyl, you should be able to see the lining fabric through these teeny holes. Make identical incisions in the lining fabric. Feed your clasp through the lining fabric & vinyl, then through the metal disk. Use pliers to flatten the tabs.

Now that your clasp in in place, glue down the remainder of the ribbon.

With your glue gun on the high setting, glue the lining in place. Be careful! Hot glue can burn! Glue just under the lining, adhering the lining to the vinyl.

Fold your fabric in thirds, connecting the magnetic clasps. Glue two-thirds of your clutch together along the edge, leaving the flap free. Again, be careful! If you get any glue on the vinyl, use several layers of paper or scrap fabric to wipe away while the glue is still liquid. 

For fun, I glued a button on the front!

Finally, a place for my keys. Now I just need somewhere fancy to go!

xoxo,
-m.e.


Related // Like working with vinyl? Make a pouch for your bike!