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    Home » Sewing » Accessories

    Bow Front Clutch Sewing Tutorial

    Updated: Jun 16, 2022 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 20 Comments

    Bow Front Clutch Tutorial on polkadotchair.com

    This clutch is the project that I taught in my class at SNAP Conference last weekend.  I’m posting it here to share will all of you!   I had a great time teaching at SNAP, y’all know I love that conference.  I feel like I was able to really focus in on what I want for my blog and meet so many fabulous people.I always leave that conference on such a high, which is why I like it.  Lots of great positive energy. I’ll share more about the conference and the class I taught later this week but today I thought I’d share the sewing tutorial for the clutch with you.

    To make it you’ll need (click the links to buy the exact supplies to make the clutch, affiliate links may be included) 

    2 pieces of fabric 8” x 12” for clutch outside – Riley Blake Lost and Found 2 Shell Yellow

    2 piece of fabric 8” x 12” for clutch lining – Riley Blake Lost and Found 2 Hexagon Yellow

    1 12” or 14″ zipper – Coats & Clark Coil Separating Zipper 14″ White

    1 piece 9” x 14” for the bow – Riley Blake Lost and Found 2 Stripe Grey

    1 piece 3” x 5” for the bow center

    2 pieces of fusible fleece cut to 8” x 12” – Pellon Fusible Fleece

    2 pieces of Shape Flex interfacing cut to 8″ x 12″Pellon SF101 Shape-Flex Woven Fusible Interfacing White

    Bow Front Clutch Tutorial on polkadotchair.com

     

    Fold under the raw edge of the long side of the bow piece a scant ¼’’

    Fold over again. Press in place and stitch along the fold.

    Repeat for other long side of the bow piece.

    Bow Front Clutch Tutorial on polkadotchair.com

     

    Fold the 3’’ x 5’’ stripe piece of fabric in half lengthwise. Stitch with a ¼’’ seam.

    Turn right side out and press so that the seam is in the center.

    Bow Front Clutch Tutorial on polkadotchair.com

     

    Find the center of the bow piece. Mark it.  Gather the bow loosely and wrap the sewn bow center piece around the bow.

    Pin in the back. You’ll have an opportunity to make the bow “pretty” at the end.

    Bow Front Clutch Tutorial on polkadotchair.com

    Apply the Shape Flex Interfacing to the wrong side of the two clutch outside pieces. Apply the Fusible Fleece to the wrong side of the two clutch lining pieces.

    Pin the bow to one of the clutch outside pieces. The bow corners will be folded under and ½” in from the top and bottom of the clutch piece. The bow will be bigger than the clutch at the centers.

    Bow Front Clutch Tutorial on polkadotchair.com

    Stitch with the bow facing the feed dogs of the sewing machine using a basting stitch close to the edge of the clutch piece.

    Bow Front Clutch Tutorial on polkadotchair.com

     

    Trim the bow flush with the edges of the clutch

    Bow Front Clutch Tutorial on polkadotchair.com

     

    Pin the right side of your zipper to the right side of the clutch top. The raw edge of the zipper even with the raw edge of the clutch.

    The zipper will be longer than the clutch- that’s okay.  Pin it so that the start of the zipper is even with the edge of the clutch.

    Bow Front Clutch Tutorial on polkadotchair.com

     

    Trim off the excess zipper.  Press the seams of the clutch away from the zipper.

    Top stitch along both sides of the zipper with your zipper foot.

    Bow Front Clutch Tutorial on polkadotchair.com

     

    Unzip the zipper ¾ of the way. NOT ALL THE WAY!

    Pin the clutch front pieces together right sides facing, Pin the clutch lining pieces together right sides facing.  Fold the zipper towards the clutch lining. With a ½” seam allowance stitch around the entire clutch leaving a 4’’ opening in the bottom of the lining piece.

    Bow Front Clutch Tutorial on polkadotchair.com

     

    Trim off all 4 corners of the clutch.

    Bow Front Clutch Tutorial on polkadotchair.com

     

    Trim the seam allowance of the lining sections of the clutch down to ⅛”.  Turn right side out and press.

    Hand or machine stitch the opening in the lining closed. Arrange the bow on the front so that you like how it looks and hand stitch the bow center in place.
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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kelly says

      April 28, 2014 at 3:59 pm

      This is adorable!

      Reply
    2. Melanie says

      April 28, 2014 at 5:51 pm

      This is SO cute, Melissa! Love the fabric combo.

      Reply
    3. Becca says

      April 29, 2014 at 6:34 pm

      Super cute! I made clutches for my bridesmaids with a much simpler pattern. I want to try this one though!

      Becca,
      BexBernard.com

      Reply
    4. R.M. says

      June 17, 2014 at 7:34 am

      How does the lining fit into the clutch? (I’m a visual learner and having trouble visualizing how that works.)

      Also, one of the pictures indicates that the right side of the zipper is on the right side of the clutch and the wrong side of the zipper is on the right side of the lining. However, I see nothing in the instructions regarding this.

      Thanks for your help!

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        June 19, 2014 at 4:52 pm

        It works… it’s one of those things that is really hard to visualize.. I had a hard time the first few zip clutches I made- the lining just gets sewn in as you go… just go slowly one step at a time and you’ll be fine..

        Reply
    5. Amanda says

      June 29, 2014 at 7:09 pm

      Made this today using black satin for the boday and a rose print for the bow. Loving it! I also made a pocket inside with slots for my lipstick and lip gloss. No more digging for my stuff in the dark!

      Reply
    6. amanda says

      August 08, 2014 at 10:37 pm

      Are you supposed to sew the lining pieces to the zipper before pinning and sewing the sides?

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        August 12, 2014 at 11:31 am

        You sew the lining at the same time you sew the outside fabric to the zipper- it’s behind the zipper

        Reply
    7. Alicia says

      December 26, 2014 at 11:37 am

      This tutorial was great! I made 6 of these for christmas presents this year. I adapted the measurements and made 2 smaller ones for cell phone and a few things.

      Thank You!

      Reply
    8. Caity says

      July 29, 2015 at 11:42 pm

      I’m 17 years old & sewing is one of my many hobbies. This clutch is so easy to make & it looks gorgeous. I’m so happy with it. And honestly, I stopped following the instructions about halfway through & started to do my own thing… But it still worked out & I couldn’t be happier. Many thanks.

      Reply
    9. Nikki Metzger says

      August 18, 2019 at 5:15 pm

      Hi! I’m so excited to make this! Can you explain the purpose of using two different types of interfacing?

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        August 26, 2019 at 10:36 am

        One is light and one is heavier. It’s for balance.

        Reply

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