Flamingo Toes

Simple DIY Fold Over Clutch

53 Comments

Simple DIY Fold Over Clutch

So lately I’ve been all about the Clutch.

They are so perfect for carrying just a few things – your phone, cash, some lipstick, maybe an adorable coin purse – what more do you need?
I am using them all the time now, for dinner’s out, quick trips to the store, and the rare occasion I actually go to a party.

fabric clutch

They are also fun to put a few things in and then slip into my big camera bag. That way if I’m on a trip or at an event, I don’t have to haul the giant bag with me ever time I need to make a quick trip to the restroom. Ahem.

fold over clutch (2)

This Simple DIY Fold Over Clutch goes together super fast too. It’s basically a giant zipper pouch – all angled and ready for a night out on the town.

Casual Fold-Over Clutch

I am all in love with this fabric too!

It’s from a new online fabric shop called Modern Yardage. They have awesome designs and they print fabrics that are colorful, trendy and fun!

This post contains affiliate links.

So to create your own clutch you’ll need:

1/2 yard for lining
1/4 yard for bottom outside fabric
1/4 yard for top outside fabric
1/8 yard contrast fabric for bottom corners
12″ zipper
1/2 yard fusible fleece
1/4 yard mid weight interfacing
My fabrics are all from the Garden Party, Golden Sun Colorway at Modern Yardage. Though they have tons of great collections there – it’s so fun to check them all out!

Start by cutting out your fabric pieces.
From your lining you will need two rectangle that is angled across the top. It should be 13″ wide and 14″ tall at the top of the angle and 12″ tall at the bottom of the angle.
From the bottom outside fabric cut two rectangles 13″ wide and 7 1/2″ tall
From the top outside fabric cut two angled rectangle 13″ wide and 6 1/2″ tall at the top of the angle and 4 1/2″ tall at the bottom of the angle.
From the top outside fabric also cut two pocket pieces, 7″ x 5″
From the fusible fleece cut two pieces the same size as your lining pieces.
From the mid weight interfacing cut two pieces 13″ wide by 7 1/2″ tall
From your contrast corner fabric cut out 4 triangles that are 4″ tall and 4″ wide.

Whew. All cut out. :)

Begin by pressing the angled side of your triangles to the wrong side 1/4″. Line the triangles up at each corner of the bottom sections and sew them to the main fabric, along the folded edges.

linen corners of clutch

Sew the top section to the bottom pieces, right sides together. Press the seams toward the bottom section.
Iron the fusible fleece to the wrong side of both the pieces.

sewing top to bottom of clutch

Place your two pocket pieces right sides together and sew around all four sides, leaving a section open at the bottom for turning. Clip the corners.

sewing clutch pocket

Press the mid-weight interfacing pieces to the bottom half of the lining pieces on the wrong side.

Turn your pocket piece right side out and press. Place the pocket 3 1/2″ from each side and 2 1/2″ from the bottom of one of the lining pieces. Sew the pocket to lining piece around the two sides and across the bottom, sewing the opening closed at the same time.

clutch pocket

Take your zipper and lay it across the top of one of your outside clutch pieces. The zipper should face towards the main fabric. Place a lining piece right side down on top of the main fabric piece and line up the top edges.

zipper in fold over clutch

Put a zipper foot on your machine and sew all the pieces together along the top edge. You’ll probably want to adjust your zipper as you go so that you move it out of the way as you sew.

Open up the pieces and repeat the process with the other side of the zipper and the remaining two clutch pieces.
Press all the pieces away from the zipper.

sewing zipper in clutch

Open up your zipper first. Place the two main fabrics right sides together and the two lining fabrics right sides together. Make sure you’re lining up your corner sections and the top seams so they line up. Sew around all the sides, leave a 5″ section open for turning right side out.

sewing clutch together

Clip the two middle sections on each side and each corner so it will turn right side out cleanly.

Your corner pieces should line up and match across the seams.

corners of clutch

Turn right side out and press. Hand stitch the opening in the lining closed.

hand sewing lining closed

Tuck your lining inside and press again. Fold the top section over and press into place as well.

lined clutch tutorial

Now convince someone to take you out to dinner so you can show off your new clutch!

How to sew a fold over clutch

pretty fold over clutch

Fold Over Clutch

What do you think? Do you carry clutches?

Disclosure: I was provided with fabric from Modern Yardage for this project. All ideas and opinions are my own – I think you’d really enjoy the fabric and I wanted to show it off to you!

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Comments

  4. Oh.My.Gosh. That is so adorable!! I love the style, and I didn’t even realize how large it was until I saw you holding it. LOVE it!!! *Anything* smaller than a diaper bag is good in my book (can you tell I’m over the diaper bag???). :) LOVE the fabric!! So bright and fun!

    Reply

  15. Oh Bev, I am in love with this clutch! It’s absolutely perfect. The fabrics are almost to gorgeous to stand, and I really really adore the shape of this lovely thing. Great job!!!
    Thanks for sharing a tutorial!

    Cheers,
    Dorothee

    Reply

  22. I was wondering if, because I am not a clutch person, you could attach a strap so you could still have hands free? The bag looks fabulous though. I have some bits and pieces of yardage left over that would be great for this. Thanks for the great tut by the way.

    Reply

  24. This is the best tutorial on clutches I’ve ever seen! And I just love your fabric choices, it goes great together.

    Reply

  26. Is the bottom outside fabric supposed to be 13″ by 8 1/2 “?
    I’m making it right now and the outside turns out to be 1 inch shorter than the lining. Thanks!

    Reply

    • I ran into the same problem. Either the lining needs to be 1/2” shorter with 1/4” seams or the outside bottom needs to be 1/2″ longer. You loses double your seam allowance joining the two pieces of fabric on the front.

  29. Hello, i just loved your blog..So many tutorials you have shared,im so thankful..I just love the fold over clutch.I did try it myself and the outcome was v much satisfying though i was trying for the first time. Love & Regards.

    Reply

  31. Hi there! Thanks for the tutorial! I think the only problem I had was attaching the zipper. I’m sure someone has already brought this to your attention, but in the photo for the zipper attachment, the zipper should be facing down — not up. Thanks again!

    Reply

  35. I love this pattern! One of the only times where I’ve followed a pattern and found that it came out exactly as photographed! This is my new “go-to” for gifts and holidays! I think it doubles as a nice diaper clutch too! Also, I added a handle on the back of mine and a magnetic snap to keep the fold in place!

    Reply

  36. Wish the instructions would have noted to cut one piece of fabric on the right side and the other on the wrong for the lining and the top pieces. Because I cut the fabric the same way it does not go together. Would have been cute, will have to try again!

    Reply

  37. I may be wrong but I believe there may be a mistake. In the instructions ‘Take your zipper and lay it across the top of one of your outside clutch pieces. The zipper should face towards the main fabric. Place a lining piece right side down on top of the main fabric piece and line up the top edges’.

    (From my view) it looks as though the picture actually shows the zipper facing towards the lining (instead of the main fabric). This makes a big difference when there is a front side to the clutch because of added embellishing. Otherwise was great to make.

    Reply

  40. Hi Beverley, Loved making this clutch. I have a few friends who have put in orders for Christmas gifts. Just wondering if you have a printable PDF version of your pattern so I can print it and add it to my pattern book.

    Many thanks,
    Ruby

    Reply

  41. Hi, l love this pattern. I made it today, however l found l had to recut some of the pieces. I realized the main fabric with the angled cut had to be angled from opposite sides in order for the fold over to line up properly. I aslo had to fix up one of the lining pieces. I was very pleased with my clutch in the end. I thank you for the pattern, did l missread the instructions ?

    Reply

  42. Totally agree with Chelsey above, wish the tutorial would have stated to cut one piece of fabric on the right side and the other on the wrong side for both interior and exterior fabric. I got all my cutting done and was ready to put it together before I realized the mismatch. Super disappointed. :(

    Reply

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