Of course I went with Leopard. It’s classic, chic, can be dressed up or down, and well, leopard is just my favorite. I whipped up the clutch and then styled it for date night with a leather jacket, white denim, and a gray sweatshirt.
Step 1 // Cut your fabric, your lining and your interfacing. You should have 2 rectangles of each, 15″x18′ for the fabric and lining, and 12″x15″ for the interfacing.
Step 2 // Using the instructions on the package, adhere your interfacing to the wrong side of your fur fabric pieces. Center them so you have room to sew around the edges on all four sides.
Step 3. Take one piece of fur and one piece of lining, and place them wrong sides together. Unzip your zipper, and on the top edge, sandwich your zipper between the two fabrics. Fold over the top edge of both fabrics and pin them carefully along the zipper. [I pinned the fur to one side of the zipper first, and then pinned the lining to the other side after that, placing pins on both sides since it was easier than trying to pin them to the zipper at the same time]. Now sew along those folded edges (the top edge of the purse) with a straight seam, attaching the fur, lining, and one side of the zipper together. Repeat for the other side so both sides of the zipper are attached. Make sure you position all your fabrics and your zipper correctly so your zipper will zip up properly and when zipped up, both outsides will be fur.
Step 4. This is now what your project should look like. Zipper in the middle, fur on the outside, and lining attached to both pieces underneath (with wrong sides of the fabric together).
Step 5. Lay your bag flat with right sides together, lining up the sides, and pin around the three (non-zippered) sides of the bag. Sew around it with a straight stitch. On the zipper pull side, stop your stitching directly under the zipper. On the opposite side of the zipper, sew all the way over the zipper to create a nice finished look.
Step 6. Once your seams are done, trim your corners at an angle so the points are super sharp when you turn the bag right side out.
Step 7. Now your bag should look like this.
Step 8. Cut a small rectangle of leather, 1″x2.” Fold it in half and pin it to the long ends of the zipper tape. Sew across the fold several times to secure it in place.
Step 9. And you’re DONE!
This is such a fabulous tutorial!! So much better than buying the $200 version haha! You are so talented girl!
xoxo
Lauren
http://www.dressingdallas.com
Love this oversize clutch, you are very talented lady.
xo
PinkSole
This looks cute and easy. I am so pinning this so I can remember to get some leopard fabric!
Lovely!! One question: What about the leather piece?
Is that step 8? Should it say leather instead of fur?
Oops, yes! I fixed it — sorry for the confusion!
I’m going to attempt this – no guarantees it’ll turn out anywhere as great as yours!
Liz @ ShoppingMyCloset.com
Amazing! I think I’d like to crawl inside your brain and see the genius at work. I know that sounded totally cheesy but it’s true! I think you create incredible things. And ps, that illustration at the beginning was spot on. Perfect.
Where did you get your material from?
I bought it at Jo-Ann’s, believe it or not!! It’s a gorgeous faux fur and it was kind of in the blanket fabric section (I’m sure that’s what it’s made for). I found it when I was out of town, and haven’t ever seen in both of my local Jo-Ann’s here, so it’s a little tough to find, but maybe check your local store!
That clutch is gorgeous! I’m always blown away by the pieces that you’re able to make!
Paige
http://thehappyflammily.com
Hello, this is amazing post! I’m in love with this clutch and color/print combination you used!
We would love to publish it in our magazine!!!
(ofc with the link of your blog)
Send us your your answer if you agree to furoremag@gmail.com
xx Furore Editor
Really cool as always! Where does one get industrial zippers!
I just bought mine at Jo-Ann’s!
I will look there. Thanks.
I love it! The tutorial with pictures of the fabric is very helpful.
Thanks for the feedback! Maybe I’ll do it more in the future!
I love this clutch! This is a great D.I.Y.
http://www.geekyjessy.blogspot.com
Very cute. I love a good clutch.
Well hello there future weekend project!! http://Www.jessicalynna.com
Love the clutch tutorial!
Love this tutorial! It seems so simple and yet produces such chic results.
Best,
Araba
http://atuesdayinapril.com
Great tutorial! Will this only work with the materials listed? Thanks! =)
no, of course not. You can use any kind of material — just try to stick with heavier weight material that will hold it shape so you don’t end up with a shapeless bag 🙂
great, thank you and keep up the great work! =)
Merrick! I LOVE this! It’s adorable!
I came upon this tutorial last night and ran right out to Joann’s this morning! I thought sure I found the right fabric but now that I’ve re-visited the post I’m not so sure. The fabric I got looks very similar in color and pattern but it’s a rather light-weight fabric called microsuede. It doesn’t have a whole lot of texture to it. I did find it in the blanket fabric section and it seemed the closest in appearance to what yours is as far as the leopard pattern. The other leopard prints literally felt and looked like a blanket; really thick and plush. Is there anything more you can tell me about yours to help me feel more confident that this fabric will work?
I think I picked up the same fabric you’re talking about. It’s definitely different than mine — mine is a faux fur with the same thickness and texture of fur. But the microsuede should be fine. I would just recommend lining it with something much thicker — like, even as thick as felt — so your bag has some weight to it and is not just a floppy piece of fabric. Hope that helps!
I know this was a little bit ago but I just got really pretty leather to make something similar and I’m a little confused about something — by step 5, you sewed around the three edges of both the fur and lining, right? If yeah, how is the inside neat? Like don’t the raw edges show inside the clutch otherwise?
you can serge the raw edges so it looks neat inside, or you can sew the lining separately and then insert it afterward. Good luck!
Is there a video?
No, just the illustration and step by step instructions.
Lovely bag. Quick question, do you mind if I ask what kind of sewing machine you have?
I have a Janome 4120 QDC — I also share info about my serger under the about bar at the top of my blog under “FAQ.” Hope that helps!
Thanks! Sorry, should have checked the FAQ first. Thanks again!
Just made my first bag today and used pleather instead of faux fur…. Loved the visuals, totally helped. Thank you!
I love this! Thank you so much for the tutorials!
I have been stalking the Clarev bag for ages now I wish I knew how to sew! So great even though I don’t sew I love reading your blog and pretending I do
So amazing!! Can’t wait to make this!! Xo
[…] Source & Full Tutorial […]
Wow, it’s a really nice clutch. I like this. Great tutorial.
[…] You can also select the fabric you are going to use for making adorable clutches, to give amazing variations to your clutch design! You will definitely fall in love with this leopard foldover clutch that is made of faux fur fabric selected with leopard print! You can also vary the fabric lining and the iron-on interfacing to give brilliant variations to your clutch design! Here this clutch has been finished with an industrial zipper! Full project tutorial and instructions here merricksart […]