DIY Fold Over Clutch Tutorial

Today I wanted to pop in and share a fun DIY that my mother-in law and I made last week while she was visiting. I had a vision in my head for a while and with my mother-in law's sewing talent, we created this easy fold over clutch within a couple of hours.

I love how we added a little unexpected pop of color within the inside...

And of course I had to add a fun gold zipper....

Tutorial

Here are the supplies for this 2 hour project:
6" faux leather (we bought one that was not too stiff)-  this was enough for two bags!
1/2 yard of cotton lining for each bag.
3/4 yard of focus fabric- we used decorator weight- this was also enough for two bags.
1 yard of fusible midweight interfacing
1 14" (or longer) zipper for each bag.

Here's what we cut for each bag:
2 pieces of the focus fabric 12 1/2" x 8 1/4".  (If you are using a directional fabric the 8 1/4" will be the top to bottom.
2 pieces of lining fabric 12 1/2" x 12".  (the 12" will be top to bottom)
2 pieces of leather 12 1/2"x 4 1/2".

Match the 12 1/2" edges of the outer fabric and the leather with right sides together and sew a 1/4" seam.  Repeat with the other piece of outer fabric and leather.

Finger press the seam toward the fabric and topstitch along the fabric edge.  
Apply interfacing to the wrong side of the lining pieces.

Next we will make a zipper "sandwich."
Place your lining right side up.  Place the zipper along the 12 1/2" edge, right side up and extending past each edge.  Place the outer fabric right side down on top of the zipper and pin well.

The lining for this bag is the green with dots.

Using a zipper foot, stitch slowly, making sure that all of the layers stay even.
Fold the outer fabric and the lining back with wrong sides together and press.  Edge stitch through all of the layers.

Repeat with the other side making sure to line up the edges at the zipper.

Open the zipper half way.  If you don't open the zipper, your bag will be forever inside out.  Ask me how I know this....  Pin the lining fabrics right sides together.  Pin the outer fabrics right sides together being sure to match the leather edges.

Stitch a 1/4" seam all the way around the outer fabric, starting and stopping as close to the zipper as possible without sewing over the teeth.  Do the same with the lining section but leave a 5" opening at the bottom for  turning.  Clip the corners, turn and slip stitch the opening closed.  Tuck the lining inside, poke out the corners and you are done!

Finished size is approximately 12"x 12" when opened flat.

Clutches are so in right now....I'm thinking that I will be making a boatload of these!