Tutorial Tuesday

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Today's tutorial features a darling embroidery pattern designed by Nicole over at Follow the White Bunny. I have loved this Apple Tree pattern for quite some time, and stitched it a while ago, but had yet to put it on anything. I decided on turning it into a small clutch that I can grab quickly when I just need to carry my keys, cell phone, and money or a small notebook. I really like the way this handy clutch turned out, and hope you will, too.

Supplies needed for this clutch purse:

- Two exterior pieces of fabric measuring 8.5 by 9-inches

- Two interior/lining pieces of fabric measuring 8.5 by 9-inches

- Two pieces of Interfacing or Batting measuring 8.5 by 9-inches

- A 7-inch zipper

- Embroidery supplies

- Sewing machine

- Scissors

- A jar lid or small plate

- Coordinating sewing thread

Step One: Embroider exterior piece of fabric and clip exterior, interior, and interfacing to 8.5 by 9-inches. Use a jar lid or small plate to create the curved bottom edges of each piece of fabric, interior/lining, and interfacing. I used a jar lid and placed it as close to the bottom and side edge as I could. I traced the bottom curve along the corner of fabric, then clipped the excess fabric off.

Step Two: Place the zipper face down over the exterior piece of fabric, with the furthest edge of the zipper tape along the top edge of the fabric. I have the interfacing underneath this exterior piece of fabric.

Place one interior or lining piece of fabric face down over that and pin in place. Using a zipper foot on a sewing machine, stitch along this top edge. 

When you flip these pieces over to expose the unsewn edge of the zipper, it should look like this.

Step Three: Repeat the instructions from Step Two by placing the zipper face down with the unsewn edge along the top of the exterior piece and the lining face down over that. Again, the interfacing is underneath the exterior piece. You'll have the right sides of the interior/lining facing each other, as shown in the photo below. Pin in place and sew. 

When you turn the fabric out, it should look something like this, with the right sides of the interior/lining and exterior facing out on either side.

Step Four: Top stitch along each side of the zipper, as shown in the photo above.

Step Five: Unzip the zipper about halfway. Take the two exterior pieces and bring them right sides together and pin in place. Pin the interior/lining pieces together as well, marking a 2-inch space to leave unsewn on the interior/lining piece. Sew around these pieces using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. 

Step Six: Clip the four curves of the exterior and interior/lining, perpendicular to the seam you just created. Clip as closely to the seam as possible, without cutting the thread. This will allow the curve to lay flat once the bag is turned.

Step Seven: Turn the bag through the unsewn space in the lining and then top stitch this space shut. 

Step Eight: Enjoy a fun clutch bag/purse!

Hope you enjoy and have a very happy Tuesday!