Clutch bags for wedding days

After I’d stopped procrastinating and got down to sew, these clutch bags came together very quickly.

What do you think? This was my first make for White Tree Fabrics. The White Tree Fabrics blog is in it’s early days but the bar has already been set really high by fellow bloggers. The blog can been found here.

The fold-over clutch is for my daughter. The mint green duchess satin, provided by White Tree Fabrics along with all the other fabrics (silver duchess satin and Guipure Tassled Lace 8319-02 in ivory) , exactly matched the mint of my daughter’s dress. She is completely thrilled with it. ‘You couldn’t even buy one of these if you tried’, she said. ‘That’s exactly why we sew,’ I replied.

Bridesmaid fold over clutch

I used the mint green duchess satin on the outside, covered in the beautiful lace, and lined it in a pale silver satin. The chunky metal zip and the purse cut on the cross, makes it just a little contemporary.

For my purse, just large enough for my phone, a lipstick and a hanky, I used a metal frame. It was the glue in type and incredibly easy to do. Expect to see a lot more of these coming up nearer Christmas.

My wedding handbag

I switched the colour combination around for this one, using the green satin on the inside. I had not sewn with lace before. It cut without fraying but I found it useful to tack the lace onto the satin using the long running stitch on the machine. This ensured that I knew where the lace was when I was sewing all the layers together. I also used my walking foot for the very first time. Without it the lace stretched and pulled and caused the satin to pucker up.

I followed this tutorial from FlamingoToes for the fold over clutch. It was just like a giant pencil case, just on an angle. As for the framed purse, a tutorial on the Village Haberdashery site was useful but here are a few photos of the process.

Creating the template

Satin liner and outer. Lace overlay and heavy fleece interlining

Tacking the lace onto the front satin piece

Sewing the lining pieces, right sides together, stopping just short of the hinge mark

Lining sewn

Creating the box corners to outer piece, repeated on the lining

Right sides together, sewing the lining into the outer piece, remembering to leave a gap for turning

I’m so pleased to have saved myself a shopping trip and ended up with two quality bespoke purses.

They feel so special.

Love, Lucie x