January 11, 2019

DIY Zippered Clutch With Cricut Maker

This DIY zippered clutch is so fun to make using the Cricut Maker! This darling clutch is made by using a Simplicity Pattern. Enjoy!

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DIY Zippered Clutch

Welcome to season 2 of the Style Blues podcast! I am excited to be back after taking a break last fall! We were traveling and also working on our house, it just wasn’t conducive to podcasting.

While first launching Chambray Blues about a year ago, I never imagined that I would have corporate sponsorships! Cricut has been such a great partner in my blog this last year and I am excited to announce that they are also the sponsor of today’s podcast!

The Cricut Maker has become an integral part of my sewing room. I cannot imagine how I got along without it! There are so many ways that it makes sewing easier and much less stressful!

We could certainly talk about all the crafting projects that they can help with all day! I love that Cricut has hundreds of projects to choose from on their website which means that I don’t have to design things from scratch all the time

Cricut has a partnership with Simplicity Sewing Patterns and there are a number of patterns in Cricut Design Space. These patterns can be downloaded directly to the Cricut Maker which is incredibly convenient. The DIY zippered clutch I am sharing today is just one of the many Simplicity patterns.

How to Use Design Space

I am going to walk you through the cutting and sewing process using the Cricut so you can understand exactly how it works. First of all, you will need to create a free account for Cricut Design Space. Design Space has many free projects as well as projects available through a subscription with a monthly fee. You can also pay for a specific project if you choose that route.

This particular DIY zippered clutch pattern is only $4.99. I think that’s a bargain considering how much time it saves. Using the Cricut is especially valuable for beginner sewers as it can make the process much less confusing.

The Simplicity patterns that are available through Cricut Design Space are individually priced. However, once you have purchased them, you have lifetime access.

Downloading the Pattern

Once in Design Space, you can start a new project by clicking the plus sign in the left corner. Then search for “Clutch with Strap” or even “Simplicity patterns” to find the project.

The first thing I like to do is read through all the cutting directions so I know exactly what the project involves as well as anything else I may need to gather. Next, I scroll down to the bottom of the screen and there will be a link in green to the specific sewing directions PDF document. I always print the directions out so that they are ready for construction.

Cricut has laid out the project for you step by step. They list how much fabric you will need as well as any additional supplies. The recommended fabrics for this project are heavier in nature and include cotton denim, pinwale corduroy, or even cotton duck.

Supplies Needed

Cricut Maker with a rotary cutting blade

Cricut washable fabric pen

12′ x 24″ fabric grip mat

½ yard of 3 different fabrics, 45” wide (Waverly from Walmart)

¼ yard of contrasting fabric, 45” wide (Waverly from Walmart)

½ yard of lightweight fusible interfacing (Pellon Craft Fuse)

Additional Supplies

thread

12” zipper (I used a Jelly Zipper cut to length.)

magnetic snap

⅝” D-Rings (2 of them)

⅜” rivets (2)

swivel hooks (2 for ½” strap)

35” x 1” length of leather-like material for strap

heavy duty sewing machine and needle

heavy duty sewing thread

Clutch Directions

The first step for your DIY zippered clutch is to cut the fabrics to size. Follow the directions and put them on the 12 x 24” fabric grip mat. It is important that the grain of the fabric go longways on the cutting mat. Press your fabric first if needed, place it face down on the mat, adhere to the mat to be sure there are no wrinkles.

Select the “Make It” button in Design Space. You will first have to select your machine, the Cricut Maker, from the top menu on the screen. Follow the prompts to start the Cricut Maker, insert the mat and then cut each piece of fabric as directed. When the pieces are cut, remove them from the cutting mat and scrape away any threads with the plastic scraper tool.

Next, cut the interfacing and lining fabric as well as any additional pieces of fabric as per Cricut directions. This project has an interlining as well as interfacing. What’s the difference between the two? The purpose of interfacing is to stabilize and strengthen the fashion fabric. The interlining basically covers the back of the fabric while working as a lining for the inside of the bag.

Sewing Directions

1. Fuse interlining to the bag front as well as the back sections. Fold 1/4″ seam under the top edge of the contrasting band. Stitch lower contrasting band in place. Stitch again 1/4″ away from the first line of stitching.

2. Insert the small tab piece into the D-ring and then baste the ends together.

3. Apply the magnetic snap to the bag as directed. You will also stitch tabs in place at sides of the bag during this step.

4. Fuse interfacing to both of the pockets. Fold over, stitch with right sides together with 1/4″ seam allowance. Leave an opening to turn right side out along the bottom edge. Trim corners and then turn right side out. Hand sew the bottom opening closed. Press.

5. Apply pockets to bag lining, matching marks made on the back of the fabric with the Cricut fabric pen. Stitch along edges.

6. Install zipper along the top edge of the right side of printed fabric, with zipper face down. Stitch close to the edge of zipper teeth. You may need to trim the zipper length, it should be 1/4″ longer than the length of the bag between the two marked dots. Whipstitch across zipper teeth before cutting off the ends of the zipper.

7. Sew the lining (right side) of the bag to the wrong side of the zipper, through all thicknesses, enclosing the zipper tape between the outside of the bag and the lining using a zipper foot. Apply bag back and lining to the other half of the zipper stitching 1/4″ from the upper edge in the same manner.

8. Press zipper teeth toward the bag front and back lining sections, opening out fabric lining. Press. Line up raw edges with right sides together and stitch around the perimeter of the bag, leaving an opening to turn bag to the right side at bottom of the lining.

9. Turn bag right side out and then press. Slipstitch opening in the lining closed. Attach zipper pull if using a separating zipper. Push lining down into the bag, close zipper, and press.

10. Fold the strap in half lengthwise, stitch along both edges with 1/4″ seam allowance.

11. Wrap ends around swivel hooks, and mark placement then pound the rivet in place (I sewed mine in place). Attach the strap to D-rings on the bag when finished.

Cricut Discount Code

Your DIY zippered clutch is finally complete! Using the Cricut Maker guarantees that this project will turn out perfectly every time.

Thank you to Cricut for sponsoring this post!

Don’t leave yet, I saved the best for last! Cricut has given a special discount code just for my readers!

This discount is not available anywhere else, be sure to take advantage of it!

Use the code STYLEBLUES to get 10% off your purchase at Cricut.com.

(The discount excludes machines and Cricut Access subscriptions as well as digital images. The cart subtotal must be greater than $50 for the discount to be activated.)

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