Make a Cute Clutch Bag

There's no such things as too many bags, and clutches are no exception. They are small, simple, and cute. Finding that perfect one can be hard, however, and some of the prettiest ones are often too expensive. Why not make your own using a placemat? It may sound strange, but a round or rectangular placemat and a few minutes of your time will give you a unique and seriously cute clutch.

Steps

Using a Rectangular Placemat

1. Choose a rectangular placemat. This method works best with fabric placemats. Choose something that looks interesting, preferably with embroidery. Something with a lining would work even better, and will give your clutch a more professional touch. Make sure that the material is sturdy and not flimsy.
   • Placemats with tassels and fringes work great!
2. Set the placemat down in front of you and orient it vertically. If your placemat has a clear right and wrong side, make sure that the wrong side is facing up. If your placemat has a lining, then make sure that the lining is facing you.
   • If your placemat has tassels or a fringe, consider cutting off the ones along the bottom edge. This will eventually be the inside of your clutch. If you can leave them on, however, if that's what you'd like.
3. Fold the edges in by 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) if the placemat is too wide for you. Fold both of the long edges in by 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) and secure them with pins. Iron along the folds, then topstitch them down, as close to the outer edge as you can.
   • This step is not completely necessary. If you are happy with the width of your
4. Fold the bottom of the placemat up by two-thirds. Iron along the bottom of the placemat to make the bottom crease.
5. Sew up the sides of the placemat. You can do this using a sewing machine and a straight stitch, or by hand using a blind stitch. You can even use a blanket stitch and some embroidery thread in a contrasting color for a rustic-chic touch.
   • If you don't want the stitching to be visible, consider folding some ribbon over the seams, and either gluing or blind-stitching it down.
   • If you don't know how to sew, you can simply glue the edges down using hot glue or fabric glue.
6. Fold the top flap down. Iron along the fold to make the crease. Make a loop out of thin, round, elastic cord, and stitch it to the top of the flap. Stitch a rustic-looking button to the corresponding spot on the body of the clutch. How much elastic cord you use will depend on the size of your button; you need enough to stretch over the button.
   • If your placemat at a lining, use a seam ripper to open up some of the stitching at the top-center of your flap, and tuck the elastic cord into the hole. Topstitch the hole down using a matching thread color.
   • For a more chic look: wrap a thin belt around clutch, with the buckle just below the flap (when the bag is closed). Glue the belt to the back and front of the clutch. Close the belt, and trim any excess off.

Using a Round Placemat

1. Choose a thin, round placemat. This method works best for woven placemats, but you can use fabric ones as well. Make sure that the material is thin and flexible enough to be folded without breaking.
2. Fold the left and right sides in by one-third, and use bull clips to keep them secure. You should end up with a vertical "pill" shape.
3. Glue the bottom third of each folded flap down. Hot glue will set the fastest, but you can also use fabric glue. Focus the glue on the edges of the flaps. If you need to, place a heavy book on top of the flaps until the glue sets. Do not glue the upper part of the flaps down.
4. Place a small dot of glue at the top corner of each flat, right where the fold is. This will give you a crisp corner and make your clutch look more professional. Place clips over the corners until the glue sets.
5. Fold the bottom edge of the placemat up by two-thirds. Use your bull clips to keep the clutch together.
6. Secure the edges of the clutch with glue. Working one side at a time, remove the bull clip, and glue the bottom flap down, focusing on the edges. Replace the bull clip, and do the other side.
   • You can remove the clips once the glue has dried or set.
7. Find the top center of your top flap, and add a Velcro square. You can use a self-adhesive Velcro square, or use hot glue (or fabric glue) to attach a regular one. Find the corresponding spot on the body of your clutch, and attach the matching Velcro square.
   • For a more professional clutch, use a magnetic clasp instead. Follow the instructions on the package that came with your clasp.
8. Add some trim. Glue some tassel or fringe trim all along the curved edge of the top flap. Close the top flat, and continue gluing down other types of trim. Feel free to mix and match; you can have one row or many. For a truly unique touch, combine pompom trim with braided cord trim. Use bright colors that contrast with your placemat.

Tips

• If your placemat is too flimsy, and has a lining: cut open one end of the lining, and slip a piece of stabilizer inside. Iron it down, then use a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to close the hole.
• Use placemats with interesting designs and patterns.
• Embellish the flap of your clutch with fabric flowers or interesting-looking pins.
• When using fabric glue, choose the clear kind instead of the white, opaque kind. It dries faster.

Things You'll Need

Using a Rectangular Placemat

• Rectangular placemat
• Iron
• Thread
• Needle or sewing machine
• Elastic cord
• Button

Using a Round Placemat

• Round Placemat
• Magnetic snaps or Velcro
• Bull clips, binder clips, or clothespins
• Hot glue gun
• Hot glue sticks
• Assorted fringes

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Sources and Citations

See also

• Clean a Fabric Coach Purse
• Tell if a Designer Bag Is Fake
• Clean a Coach Purse
• Clean a Vera Bradley
• Clean a Leather Purse
• Remove Smell from an Old Leather Bag
• Select a Purse
• Pack Your Purse
• Spot a Fake Coach Bag
• Hang a Heavy Bag

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