DIY Jeweled Clutch

Make your new clutch get noticed with glittering gemstone embellishments.

Spend a night out on the town in bejeweled style with a handmade jeweled clutch, made from a rich, sleek satin fabric and sparkling imitation gemstones. The clutch is simple enough to make that even a first time sewer will be impressed with her new accomplishment and have a fashion accessory to show off for her efforts. Make the purse from a neutral color satin to coordinate with any outfit, or use a bright color satin to coordinate with that perfect evening dress.

Things You'll Need

• 1/3 yard satin fabric
• 1/3 yard lining fabric
• Fusible interfacing
• Iron
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Straight pins
• Hook and loop fastener
• Floral or decal stencil
• Tailor's chalk
• Imitation gemstones
• Fabric glue

Instructions

1. Lay out the satin fabric on a clean, flat surface and measure out a 9 1/2-inch by 10 1/2-inch rectangle. Cut it out from the fabric and lay it on top of the lining fabric. Trace and then cut out the same shape from the lining.

2. Draw a 9-inch by 10-inch rectangle on the interfacing and cut it out from the fabric. You now have all the fabric pieces for the clutch.

3. Lay the satin fabric face down and center the interfacing on top, with 1/4 inch of satin fabric exposed on each side. Follow the interfacing instructions to fuse the interfacing to the satin.

4. Flip over the satin fabric and lay the lining fabric on top with the good side down. Sew around the outer edges of three sides with a 1/4-inch seam allowance to join the two pieces together. Leave one of the 10 1/2-inch sides open. Turn the two pieces right side out through the open side. Fold the edges of the open side inward and sew to close the last edge.

5. Fold the fabric in half with the lining fabric on the outside. You should now have a 9-inch by 5-inch rectangle. Pin the sides of the fabric together and sew a straight stitch with a 1/4-inch seam allowance to join the sides of the clutch. Turn the clutch right side out through the remaining open edge.

6. Cut a piece of hook fastener and a piece of loop fastener, each 1 inch wide by 2 inches long. Sew one piece to the top, inside center of one side of the purse. Sew the other to the corresponding spot on the other side of the purse.

7. Lay a large stencil on one side of the purse. Use a floral stencil or any other decal you like. Trace out the stencil with tailor's chalk.

8. Spread fabric glue on the bottom of one of the gemstones and press it against the bottom of the traced decal. Spread glue on the bottom of another gemstone and press it next to the first on the traced outline. Repeat to cover the entire tracing with the gemstones.

9. Flip over the purse and repeat the above step with the same or a different stencil to make another jewel-covered side for the purse.

References

• Judith Leiber: The Artful Handbag; Enid Nemy et al.
• Make Your Own Handbag, Clutch Bag and Purse; Emma Castle et al.