Monday 6 August 2012

Sewing Challenge: Clutch Bag

Our latest sewing group challenge (the group consisting of myself, Jenny of Bluefinch Boutique, Carolyn of The Glass Lantern, and new members Jem of Beautiful Clutter and Anna of Skin and Blister), was to make an envelope clutch bag. I think we were all a little dubious as the photo inspiration made it look complicated, but after all, where is the improvement without challenge?

Here is my finished bag:



My sewing skills remain basic but I actually had no problems with this project, as once I had cut out and ironed my fabric I could see how it was going to come together. Sometimes when I'm using instructions to create a sewn project I'll be blindly following the steps and can't envisage the result of each, so it was refreshing to feel in control and able to make tweaks where I wanted in this case.



I really like how much it actually looks as though it's made from newspaper! No doubt I'll be getting some comments when I'm out and about with it, and next time I'm in the cinema waiting for the film to start I'll have something to read! I finished off the bag with - you guessed it - some spray starch to give it a little more structure, but the fact that it's made from thick linen meant that I didn't need to bother with iron-on interfacing. 


Overall I'm very pleased with this latest challenge, and can see myself making more clutch bags as Christmas and birthday presents. 

Here it is as the latest entry in my sewing journal:




What do you reckon - perhaps I should whip it out next time I indulge in a portion of fish and chips?!




10 comments:

  1. It's brilliant Anna! I love the fabric you used. I've never thought of using spray starch to help stiffen fabric - that's a great idea!

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    1. It's becoming a bit of a running joke that I have a thing for spray starch, but it has so many uses! It's good for items that can't be washed, as the starch acts as a barrier between dirt and the fabric - you just wipe it clean and re-starch.

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  2. Fabulous Anna! I LoVe that fabric too!
    Victoria xx

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  3. This is so sweet! I love the newspaper fabric. Well done.

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    1. It's so satisfying that a clutch bag can be made with much less than a fat quarter - I made four lavender bags with the fabric I had leftover. Good excuse to buy quirky patterned fat quarters on eBay!

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    2. Oooh that's exciting because there's a place not too far from my house that sells a really good selection of fat quarters. I love the newspaper print--it's very cute.

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  4. I've fallen in love with reading about your sewing challenges and seeing what you've made next! Great job, it looks very skillfully made, I love that you'll have something to read too! haha! xx

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    1. Aw, thank you Imogen! I'm pleased that my random sewing adventures entertain because it feels like I'm back in school sometimes. I like to take a book with me wherever I go, and seeing as I can't fit one in my new clutch bag it's handy that it comes with its own reading material! x

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  5. I love that fabric! Your clutch looks great. Think it was a really good idea for our latest sewing challenge.

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