Suit Coat Clutch TUTORIAL

This was my project for the $5 and under for sytyc. I would first like to take a second and thank each of you for your support this past week.  I was overwhelmed by the love and support I got from each of you. Thank you so very much. It meant the world to me :) And don't worry, I still plan to do all the crafts I had thought of for the competition. I won't be doing them in the same order/time frame as sytyc. But the good news is, you won't have to wait 1-2 weeks for the tutorials for these projects ;) 

 

Ok, to make this awesome clutch, you'll need an old suit jacket. I found this one at the thrift store for $4. Sorry for the yucky lighting. I was taking this pic in the bath tub....seriously. I was trying to disguise my photos for the competition.

All you'll need to make a suit coat clutch is a suit jacket (duh), seam ripper, scissors, sewing machine, magnetic snap, and needles and thread.

First I used a seam ripper and separated the sleeve seam.

 

Move the lining out of the way.

Cut off the sleeve cuff and save this. You'll use this later.

Cut a 13"x18" rectangle from the sleeve.

I was not able to get a big enough piece, so I cut a small section to make up the difference....

which I sewed on and ironed open the seam.

 

Next, divide your 13"x18" piece into thirds. (Dividing the 18" into 6" segments.) Put a pin at each 6" mark. Now take the sleeve cuff and cut to 1"x13" and pin the cuff centered at 6" into the rectangle.

Sew cuff into place.

 

Now cut a 13"x18" rectangle from the jacket's silk lining. This will be your clutch's smooth interior. I forgot to take a picture, but you'll want to attach your magnetic snap in the center of the lining on one of the 13" wide sides about 1/2" down. Be sure to put interfacing where you're going to attached the snap. Attach the other half of the magnetic snap on the clutch outer about 1" away the cuff on the opposite side of the cuff.

Place right sides together and  pin in place. Be sure the snaps are on opposite side of the cuff.

Sew the lining to the outer piece.

Leave a 2-3" opening.

Trim the corners close to the seam without cutting the seam. This will give you better corners when you turn the clutch right side out.

 

Turn your clutch right side out and pull out the corners.

Tuck in the opening and...

iron the clutch, making sure the opening is tucked in.

Next you'll top stitch around the entire outside of the clutch. This will close the opening.

 

Next, locate where the cuff is sewn. The cuff is going to be the bottom of the clutch. With right sides together, pin the sides up next to the cuff. You are making the pocket part of the clutch.

  

Sew the sides together so that you have a triangle hole at the bottom next to the cuff.

  

Next, fold the bag flat and sew straight across to close the triangle hole. Go slowly, this will be thick.

  

Turn your clutch right side out and fold over and sew 1/4" along the sides of the clutch flap. (in the photo, the left side is the pocket of the clutch, the right side is the flap.)

  

Turn your clutch pocket wrong side out and pinch along the cuff (bottom of the pocket) and pin, if needed, and sew along the edges catching both layers. This will give the clutch more structure.

Next, fold over the corners of the flap and sew in place.

Hand sew on 3 sleeve buttons to the outside of your flap and you're done!

Now think of all the different types of suit jackets. Wouldn't they make sweet clutches?

*This is for Personal Use Only. If you're interested in buying one, you can find them in my shop.*