Pretty Fold-over Clutches

These fold-over, fabric clutches were made for my sisters as gifts. They're perfect for dressing up an outfit. You could, of course, use any fabric you like as long as the weight of it is appropriate for the project (or if you've added interfacing to make it so; I did add interfacing later in the project to give it more weight). These are a bit floppier and less stiff, but I like them that way.

They have one large pocket (closed with a zipper) and one small pocket (closed with a magnetic snap). The large pocket folds over to attach to the small pocket with a magnetic snap.

You'll need outer fabric, lining fabric, slide buckles (if you're adding the bow to the front), magnetic snaps (two pair for each clutch), interfacing (to strengthen the fabric for those magnetic clasps), and one zipper for each clutch. 

The size of all these materials is entirely up to you. I cut my fabric to fit the size of zipper I had on hand; I think they're about 9" wide or so. These instructions are general ones meant to give you steps to follow in making your own.

First, you will need to decide the size of your clutch and cut the appropriate rectangles of fabric from both your lining and your outer fabric. These are my prepared materials for one clutch:

The larger rectangles make up the entire clutch. When folded in half from left to right, they will make up the height of the clutch. This next photo demonstrates in more detail the composition of the clutch after the magnetic clasps have been added:

You can see the lower pocket has been placed and sewn on. The bow has also been pinned in place.

The bow is comprised of a long strip of lining material which I sewed into a tube and then cinched in the center with my slide buckle.

To create the smaller pocket, decide where you want to place your magnetic snap to seal the smaller pocket to the larger one. 

I then arranged right side to right side and sewed the top of the pocket, so that I could truly see its size. I top stitched the smaller pocket, too, so that it would lay nice and flat.

This is what it looked like all laid out, pieces in place, no snaps or zipper yet attached.

In the following picture, you can see that I am placing the smaller pocket onto the larger clutch in order to determine where those snaps will meet up. I've marked the spot for the snap with a red star. It will need to be attached to both the small pocket and the larger body of the clutch below.

You will also need to place another snap on the outside of this smaller pocket, since the clutch will fold over and attach here to close. Again, the larger part of the clutch closes here, so the female part of this pair will need to be attached on the larger rectangle.

Folding over the clutch, I can see where I'd like the snaps to meet: 

To place the magnetic snaps, I cut small slits in my material to let the snap through.

I then placed interfacing with matching slits cut into it over the top. I placed the securing metal piece down on top of that interfacing before pressing down those metal teeth to secure the snap in place.

Make sure that you are matching male and female parts when arranging your snaps. This way, they actually work! Place all of your snaps in the appropriate places so that your clutch will close as you'd like.

Next, you must add your zipper. 

Finally, sew all the way around your clutch, right sides together, leaving a small space open  in the lining for turning right side out.

Stuff the lining down inside the bag. Then iron the whole thing down. On both sides. Just to make sure its shape is nice and crisp.

Now, you can stuff it with your evening essentials, fold it over, and take it out on the town!

Then, make some more.