How to Make a Clutch Purse Out of Newspaper

Make a quick purse from newspaper.

Make a clutch that looks like you are carrying a folded newspaper. Fold a clutch from the comics section for a fun occasion or the business section if you are feeling serious. You can even make a purse from the fashion section and carry an accessory featuring your favorite designer. Recycling should always be this fun.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Open out three sheets of newspaper and layer them together. Fold the top edge down at an angle until it meets the side edge. Cut off the strip of paper that extends beyond one side. Open the fold. This makes a square of paper.

2. Lay the paper down, right side up, and fold the top edge down 3/4 inch. Fold the top edge down again 2 1/2 inches. Turn the paper over so this fold is on the underside at the bottom.

3. Fold the paper in half by bringing the side edges together. Crease this fold only at the top and bottom. Unfold. Fold both sides in to meet in the center. Crease these folds. This is called a cupboard fold.

4. Fold the bottom edge up 6 1/2 inches. The double fold you made earlier should be at the top of the piece you folded up. This forms the body of the purse.

5. Fold both the top edges of the paper down at an angle to meet the top of the edge you folded up. Crease this fold. Fold the bottom edge of the two triangular flaps you just made up to meet the top edges of the triangle on top of the paper. Crease this fold. Unfold both folds.

6. Grab the two folds that are sticking out on each side of the top of the paper and bring them down until they form a flat triangles on either side of the center of the top flap. There will be two little triangles sticking out on the sides below the large triangles. Fold these in.

7. Fold the bottom edges of the two large triangles under as far as they will go. The bottom of these folds will be even with the top edged of the body of the purse. This holds the top flap of your clutch purse together.

8. Close the purse by folding the top flap down over the body of the purse and tucking the point under the fold at the top of the body.

Tips & Warnings

• Make the purse slightly more durable by spraying it with a clear spray finish. Check first to see if it will cause the ink to run. Spray with the flap open at an angle to avoid cracking the finish when you refold it.

• If you are having trouble folding the top flap, skip the last few steps and just fold down the top two corners so that they make a triangular at the top. The purse will work this way the top flap will just not stay folded as well.

• This is a fun, quick, free clutch bag not intended to last very long and not at all waterproof.

References

• Paper Creations; Gay Merrill Gross; 1997