Tutorial Tuesday - The Cutest Clutch in Town!

Good morning everyone! It's time for another edition of Tutorial Tuesday, complete with linky party fun!

I did {another} sewing project this week. I hope you guys are not getting too tired of the sewing tutorials, I am really coming into my own with my machine and I'm just so excited to try all these new projects. This week I jumped even further out of my comfort zone and tacked the oh-so-scary ZIPPER!!!

I know, just thinking about it used to make me cringe. Now, not so much. I'm excited about all the new projects I can do now with my new zipper skillz. {That's right, I spelled it with a z... because that's how mad my skills are. ;)} What do you think? Introducing...

The Cutest Clutch in Town

{a.k.a. The Aviary Clutch}

A friend and I were talking the other day when Joel Dewberry's Aviary 2 collection came up. It inspired me to pull out my little Aviary 2 stash and make myself something lovely. :) I'm a sucker for purple, and turquoise is currently holding 2nd in that poll, so this collection is right up my alley.

I found the tutorial on the Noodlehead blog, so you can pop over there to check out the details, but I made some adjustments so give you a quick rundown here, too. :)

Here's what you need:

Materials List:

1. Fabrics of choice- I used 4 different fabrics, but you can use as few as two.

• Main front fabric: one 5.5" tall by 9" wide, and one 5.5" tall by 13" wide (the longer piece will be the gathered/ruffled front)
• Front band: one piece 4" tall by 9" wide.
• Lining: two pieces 5.5" tall by 9" wide
• Zipper end covers: two pieces 1.5" tall by 2.5" wide.
• Medium weight fusible interfacing: (2) 5.5" tall by 9" wide (for fusing to inside of exterior pieces of clutch)

{Optional Pieces}

• Divider pocket: one piece 8" tall by 9" wide (apply interfacing to half, you'll need a 4" x 9" piece)
• Card holders: one piece 7" tall by 9" wide (apply interfacing to half, you'll need a 3.5" x 9" piece)
• Cash pocket: one piece 5" tall by 9" wide (apply interfacing to half, you'll need a 2.5" x9" piece)

2. Zipper. Can be longer and cut down, but finished size will need to be 8.5" long

3. Medium weight fusible Interfacing (see above for measurement details)

4. Coordinating thread

Now as far as the basic pattern goes, I followed the Noodlehead tutorial pretty much to a T. And she's got some great pics to go along with the steps too.

I took some liberties when it came to the inside. I like pockets in my wallet/purse so I had to make some.

I took the large "divider" piece (folded over and fused), and top stitched about 1/4" from the folded edge then top stitched another row 1/4" below that. Next, I basted the sides of the piece to one side of the lining.

Next, I took the 7"x9" piece folded it over and fused it together and top stitched it the same way as the first piece. I then basted the ends to the other piece of lining. 

This is where it gets personal. ;) Depending on what you're going to be using the pockets for, the measurements for the stitching will be different. I wanted to have credit card pockets, a pocket for my business cards, and a pocket to hold my chap stick so I used each of those things to help me measure off the sections.

I also added a shorter pocket in front of the larger set of pockets for stowing cash in. That's the 5"x9" piece, just fold it in half and fuse it the same way as the others and sew it on in front of your first set of pockets.

Just to make myself feel good, I also sewed in one of my tags. You know, so it's custom. ;)

Finish following the Noodlehead tutorial and you should be all set!!

Tips for this Tutorial:

• When sewing together your lining, leave a larger seam allowance than you did when sewing together your outside pieces. (ex. 1/4" seam allowance on outside pieces, 3/4" seam allowance on lining.) This just helps the lining and pockets fit nicely into the clutch without bunching up.
• If I were doing this project again, I would make the front ruffled part 5.5" x 15" instead of 13" so I could have better ruffles. Who doesn't like more ruffles? ;)
• Mix up your fabrics for a truly unique piece!

So now it's your turn! 

Link up your projects below, and grab a button for your project post. 

Be sure to visit other links on the list and share the love! :)
Today's Creative Blog

{I'm linking up HERE this week!}

<a href="http://www.littlebirdiebaby.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybpWehEcQYkr_bcTNwQtjMs-pSV-lbAnKMq0wQAbpkfm8Vn6I1fmUjYtVvzwqfTuazi67qG1Z7SWKRWPfgV3kkRVaYGnhKP7LJ0txiH6AQQj2x8KUcYdEuPtOudXo4oDmxEdFyxqjJ7RO/s800/Tute%20Tues%20LB.png" height="150" width="150" /></a>

Have a great week!!

XOXO