The soft clutch bag pattern is an easily adaptable pattern to make the clutch of your dreams. This is the perfect accessory for cocktail parties, a dinner, or a gift for Christmas.
We owe this handy design concept to the House of Hermes when they first launched the Verrou Clutch, a black leather bag with a peculiar closer –a silver bolt– which I think it is a super way to close a bag.
On this clutch, I am using upholstery fabric, but canvas is a great alternative. It is 11″ wide and 7″ tall with one small pocket inside.
To simplify the job, I have added just one small pocket, but I will put a link or two to other tutorials for you to go to town with it if you want to add more pockets and embellishments. Since it is so simple, the point of this pattern is to showcase an amazing fabric, an embroidery design, a patchwork with beads, sequins, lace, and the sky is the limit.
I really hope you take on the challenge to make something out of the ordinary.
Materials:
- 1/2 yard of upholstery fabric (see my fabric recommendations below)
- 1/2 yard of lining
- 1/2 yard of fusible interfacing
- 1/2 yard of thin interfacing for the lining
- Thread to match
- Buttons, beads, rivets, grommets or sequins
- Magnet closer
Tools:
- Rotary cutter
- Pencil, tailor’s chalk or Frixion pen
- Hand needle
- Jeans needle
Fabric Suggestions on Amazon
Pattern Layout
Pattern Download
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How to print the soft clutch pattern:
Use Adobe Reader to download and open the pattern, to print your cardigan pattern size, print on Actual Size and Landscape form. Do not scale the pattern.
PLEASE READ ALL THE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE MAKING THIS CLUTCH.
How to make the soft clutch
The following procedure will help you make a clutch just like that one I made, however, I meant to use rivets and I just could not find the attachment for my Kam machine. This is the same machine I used to make the bags below.
Apply the fusible interfacing to the lining and the main fabric after you have sewn the decorations to your clutch especially if you are using grommets or rivets. I have made a 1/2″ seam allowance around the pattern, whatever you end up using make sure you leave the seam allowance.
Step One: Apply fusible interfacing
Cut the fusible interfacing 1/2″ smaller than the fabric. Fuse all the outside fabric with the 1/2″ allowance. You do not need to do the same with the lining.
Step Two: Making the inside of the clutch
It is easier to start with the lining since it will give you a chance to study and practice with the fabric that will be easier to change if you make a mistake.
After applying the interfacing sew the two pieces of the lining together.
Sew 2.5″ on both sides of the lining leaving a space in the middle. Iron the seams open.
Sew the pocket:
Fold the left side 1/2″.
Fold the right side 1/2″.
Fold the top down 1/2″ and sew the edge as close to the edge as possible.
Fold the bottom up and iron.
Use the pattern to make the placement of the pocket and the magnetic snap.
If you need a reminder and some good tips on how to apply a magnetic snap, please have a look at this tutorial on how to install a magnetic snap. If you are using a sewable magnet, you can sew it at the end when you have finished the clutch bag.
Sew the pocket from the right side to the left close to the edge.
Pin the gusset to the lining on the smallest rectangle.
You will have to snip the edge of the rectangle about 3/8″ apart.
Sew the gusset at 3/8″ but stop 1/2″ before the end of the gusset.
Step Three: Sewing the outside of the clutch
We will be making the handle first. Pin the right sides together and sew leaving the small sides open.
Turn the handle inside out. Iron and pin to the outside of the main fabric. The position is marked on your pattern. Stay stitch the handle.
Pin the gusset on the opposite side of the bag handle.
Step Four: Attaching both layers together
This is the tricky part of this clutch bag pattern. Pin the flap parts right sides together.
Sew from the end of one gusset to the other. There will be a separation of the gusset. Do not sew the gusset at all, just the flap part of the bag.
This is what you should have up to now.
Sew at 1/2″.
Push the remaining of the lining inside.
It is time to sew the remaining of the lining. You should start from the corner of the gusset.
Trim the seam allowance at the corners of the gussets on the side that is not attached to the flap.
Sew the lining from the end of the gusset and open the seam allowance.
Sew around the opening of the bag and reduce the seam allowance.
Turn the soft clutch bag using the gap you left on the lining.
Top stitch the flap and the opening of the bag 1/8″ from the edge.
Since I can not apply the rivets on the sides I will stitch in the middle of the gusset 2″.
Sew the opening of the lining either by hand or on the machine. Turn the bag inside out.
Once you have turned the clutch inside out and sew the gap either by hand or sewing using your sewing machine.
I have to admit that this procedure is not exactly what I had in mind when I was making this soft clutch bag pattern. I wanted to add gold studs to the fabric before stitching, but I could not find the piece of my Kam machine that I needed. I looked for two days and finally gave up.
You see, I have decided to clean and organize my sewing space a little better, and like many things, it gets worse before it gets better.
Until next week. Let me know what you come in the comments below and don’t forget to leave a picture.
Feel like making another clutch here is another free pattern!
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I will try this.
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Good tutorial but the finished purse would look much better in all the same material. That’s only my opinion though.
Your opinion is very welcome in this site 🙂 would love to see your choice of fabric if you ever make it. Kind Regards,
What an awesome tutorial! I love how you covered every detail.
Thank you, Lisa!
How to attach the studs?
I will be making a special tutorial for this, stay tuned:)