Clutch Purse with Antique Pin Closure

Materials

• 1/2 yard of green floral for clutch body and tab
• 1/2 yard of coordinating print for lining
• 1/2 yard of canvas for interlining
• 1/2 yard of 13-inch-wide ultra heavyweight interfacing
• 1 1/4 inches of 3/4-inch-wide sew-on hook-and-loop tape
• Fabric marker
• Pressing ham (optional)

Finished clutch: 11 3/4 x 7 1/2 inches

Quantities are for 44/45-inch-wide, 100% cotton fabrics. All measurements include a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

Cut the Fabrics

To make the best use of your fabrics, cut the pieces in the order that follows. The patterns are on pattern below. Note: When cutting your clutch body and tab pieces (A, B, and D), you may wish to align the patterns carefully to match up the fabric motifs.

Pattern Sheet

From green floral, cut:

• 1 each of patterns A, B, and D

From coordinating print, cut:

• 1 each of patterns A, B, and D

From canvas, cut:

• 1 each of patterns A, B, and D

From ultraheavyweight interfacing, cut:

• 2 of Pattern C

1. Referring to Diagram 1, below, center an interfacing C piece atop the wrong side of the canvas A piece, leaving 1/2 inch of canvas exposed around the outer edges; pin. Note: The interfacing pieces are cut smaller than the canvas pieces to reduce bulk in the seam allowances and to make it easier to shape the sides of the clutch.

2. Sew 1/4 inch inside the edges of the interfacing to make a front interfacing unit.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to sew the remaining interfacing C piece atop the wrong side of the canvas B piece to make a back interfacing unit.

4. Referring to Diagram 2, align the front interfacing unit, canvas side down, atop the wrong side of the green floral A piece; pin. Machine-baste 1/4 inch from the outer edges to make the clutch front.

5. Repeat Step 4 to sew the back interfacing unit atop the wrong side of the green floral B piece to make the clutch back.

The tab on this clutch serves as both a handle on the clutch back side and as a closure.

1. Layer the canvas D piece on the wrong side of the green floral D piece; baste 1/4 inch from the outer edge.

2. With right sides together, layer the green floral D piece and the lining D piece. Backstitching at the beginning and end, sew together the long edges using a 1/2-inch seam to make the tab; leave the short edges open for turning (see Diagram 3).

3. Trim the seam allowances to 1/8 inch. Turn the tab right side out by pulling the narrow end through the wide end; press.

4. Tuck 1/2 inch of the wide end inside the tab; press. Tuck 3/8 inch of the narrow end inside (see Diagram 4); press. Topstitch around the tab, 1/4 inch from the outer edge.

5. Referring to Diagram 5, center and sew the hook portion of the hook-and-loop tape to the tab's lining side, 1/4 inch from the wide end.

6. Fold the clutch back in half lengthwise and finger-press a crease for a placement line. Unfold the clutch back.

7. Referring to Diagram 6, mark a placement line 3 1/2 inches above the lower edge of the clutch back on the right side. With right sides together, center the narrow end of the tab over the center crease just below the marked placement line. Backstitching at the beginning and end, edgestitch across the narrow end, then again 1/2 inch from the edgestitching.

8. Referring to Diagram 7, fold the tab over the clutch back. With 1 inch of the tab extending toward the bottom of the bag, fold the tab back on itself and up, centering it over the center crease. Press and pin. The wide edge of the tab will extend past the upper edge.

Mark and sew across the tab 5 1/2 inches above the bottom folded edge, backstitching at each edge to make a handle on the clutch back; press.

1. Fold the clutch front in half widthwise and finger-press a crease for a placement line. Unfold the clutch front.

2. Mark a placement line on the clutch front 5 inches below the upper edge at the center fold (see Diagram 8). Center and edgestitch the loop portion of the hook-and-loop tape to the clutch front's right side, just below the marked line.

3. With right sides together, align the side and lower edges of the clutch front and clutch back; pin. Using a 1/2-inch seam allowance, sew together along the side and lower edges (see Diagram 9).

4. Trim the seam allowance around the bottom curves to 1/4 inch. Using a pressing ham, press the entire seam open. Turn right side out; press. Note: Pressing the seam open will help you to get a nice finished look around the curves at the clutch bottom. 

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with the lining A and B pieces to make the clutch lining.

6. With the right side of the clutch body facing out and the wrong side of the clutch lining facing out, place the clutch body inside the clutch lining, aligning the side seams (see Diagram 10). Pin together the raw edges, making sure that the tab is tucked in between the clutch body and lining, out of the way.

Using a 1/2-inch seam allowance, sew together open the raw edges, leaving a 5-inch opening for turning in the center front.

7. Trim the seam allowance across the points of the clutch back, making sure not to clip into the stitching. Referring to Diagram 11, clip into the seam allowance just to the stitching line at the corners where the bag flap extends from the clutch back. Clip into the seam allowance at the center top of the clutch back.

8. Turn the clutch right side out through the 5-inch opening. Push the lining down inside the clutch, aligning the side seams; press the upper edges. To close the opening, topstitch 1/8-inch from the open edges of the clutch (see Diagram 12).

1. On one side, match up the side seams on the clutch body with the lining; pin. With the clutch body facing up, start at the top finished edge on the side seam and stitch in the ditch 3 1/2 inches down (see Diagram 13). Repeat on the other side of the clutch body.

2. To give the clutch shape, fold a 1-1/4-inch angled pleat into one side seam, beginning at the top and tapering the pleat to end 3 1/2 inches down (see Diagram 14). Press the folds in place. Repeat on the remaining side seam. Note: The absence of ultraheavyweight interfacing in the area you're pleating should enable you to make crisp folds.

3. Attach a vintage pin onto the right side of the tab's wide end, covering the stitching where the hook-and-loop tape was sewn.

4. Fold the clutch back over the clutch front, aligning the hook-and-loop closures, to complete the clutch.

MAKE

DIY EMBROIDERY THREAD WRAPPED EARRINGS

Thursday, March 14, 2013 / Ez

This is a special guest post was created by Anne Weil of Flax & Twine. Find more handmade lovelies, simple design and beautiful inspiration on her inspiring blog.

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Hi everyone!  I’m so happy and honored to be a guest poster on Creature Comforts today. I’ve been following along with excitement as Ez has shared her big move with us. Having just moved across the country myself, I am empathetic to the anxiety and discombobulation that comes along with the thrill of a moving adventure. To pack up all your stuff and leave your known environment, only to arrive in a place that needs a lot of settling can overwhelm anyone! Ez has handled this transition seamlessly and gracefully on the blog. She makes it all look so easy. Nonetheless, I am hoping this post eases her blog burden ever so slightly in the transition. I adore this fun jewelry tutorial. I hope you do, too!

I originally made a neon green version of these hoops for an 80′s Halloween party­–perfect under the black lights. When I went to pick colors for this tutorial, however, I pulled this more gentle color palette with a punch of black. I think it’s so lovely. These hoops are simple to make, yet such a fun splash of hand made in your wardrobe. Add the ability to customize every pair and you might just not be able to stop making them. I adore these little black and white ones.

These hoops make for a fabulous last minute, personalized gifts, too!  Here’s the tutorial:

Supplies needed:

• Embroidery thread (I suggest DMC 6-strand floss for a smooth finish)
• Inexpensive hoop earrings (I found these at Target)
• Craft glue
• Scissors

Cut 40” of chosen embroidery thread colors for a large hoop, less for smaller hoops. If you place the hoops in your ear before you start, it will help you decide where to change colors and place the majority of your design color work (remove hoop from ear before next step).

Start by placing a small bit of craft glue at the end of the hoop.

Take desired embroidery thread colors and line them up parallel to the hoop, placing the end of the thread in the bit of glue. Choose the thread color you want to start with and begin wrapping it around the hoop…the other colors you aren’t using they go along for the ride (make sure they are being hidden by the thread color that you want to have showing). Keep wrapped thread snugly side-by-side so you can’t see the hoop or other colors underneath.

When you want to change colors, drop the first color parallel to the hoop and start wrapping with the next color you’d like. Repeat to change colors again. Change as many times as you’d like.

When you get to the end, place another small bit of glue. Wrap thread directly over that glue, using your finger to wipe away any excess. Trim the embroidery thread colors that you are not using first as close to the hoop as possible. Then place a little extra glue to secure the remaining thread over the ends of the other colors, and trim excess. Repeat the finishing process on the other side of the wrapped hoop. Repeat full process for your other earring. Voila!

To create the striped earrings, simply wrap the embroidery threads together at the same time, as if they were one. Keep them in the same alignment as you wrap, and finish with the same process as used above.

So fast, easy and fun! Happy Hooping!

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The Most Wearable Fashion Trends of Fall 2015

 

Fashion month has come and gone, yet our heads are still reeling with all the looks we’ve seen on the runways of New York, London, Milan, and Paris. And of course, it’s not fashion week without trends emerging for the coming season. Do designers huddle just before they create their collections or do they just have that telepathic ingenuity that dictates what goes in our closets and what gets pushed at the back? We may never know. But what we’re sure of is that we’re following where they lead. To give you a look at which sartorial direction these fashion authorities are taking us, we’ve listed the top trends of Fall 2015 that we simply can’t wait to try.

It’s all about sass this fall, and there’s no better way to flaunt what you got than shorter hemlines and shiny fabrics. You can opt for pretty pastels a la Shiatzy Chen or be sexy in silver as seen at Felder Felder. Emanuel Ungaro, Tod’s, and Sonia Rykiel teach us to go beyond sheen and have fun with prints and embellishments.

The turtleneck in general is a huge trend all over the fall runways. But our favorite styling trick is layering this cozy piece underneath dresses with plunging necklines. Who says you can’t wear that v-neck frock when the temperatures drop? Take cues from Jill Stuart and Tanya Taylor for the perfect summer-to-fall transition, while Sonia Rykiel shows us the route to taming that extra sex appeal.

If spring has gingham,then fall has plaid. This preppy look isn’t hard to miss as designers claim it as the season’s signature pattern. House of Holland gives us a patchwork twist, while Fay, Blugirl, and Marc by Marc Jacobs serve us that classic schoolgirl style.

With all the heavy layering and excessive fur that the fall season brings, we can’t always cop these looks straight off the runway considering the fact that we’re on the tropical side of the globe. However, the outerwear trend that we can’t forgo is the cape. It’s definitely more practical than, say, a duster coat or a shearling jacket. For a chic and tailored look, get inspired by Delpozo and Tibi. For that out-of-the-country trip out west, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren know just how to keep you warm in style.

Speaking of keeping the temperatures at bay, wearing tights is the stylish way to go if it’s going to be cold outside. Fashion houses know how to keep it fun with lace, colors and prints. We love the polka-dotted hosiery at Diane Von Furstenberg, and the girly ensembles at Giamba styled with fishnets and what-nots.

The ’70s is making waves this spring, and we think it’s only fitting that the ’80s follow suit. Designers made our disco dreams come true with metallics in bold colors, sequins, animal prints, and that distinct flashiness of the vibrant era. From Miu Miu’s puffled shoulders to Au Jour Le Jour’s print craze, the ’80s surely made a comeback this fall.

Carwash pleats are all the rage this season. Aside from metallics, this skirt trend is a must-try come Fall 2015. Accentuate your gams with these slits as seen at Oscar de la Renta, Christian  Dior and Sally LaPointe. Tommy Hilfiger gives a sporty spin to this look, while Thakoon shows us that calf boots and carwash pleats are a match made in heaven.

We think that by now, the fashion world has resigned to the fact that we can never shake off the fringe. How can we when it gives us that extra ‘oomph’ on the streets and the dance floor? Edun and J. Mendel put strategic fringes on asymmetrical dresses, while Rebecca Minkoff serves us an interesting mix of jazz bohemia.

High-waist silhouettes are in this season which give off that longer and slimming look. You can either go for tailored pant suits as seen at Altuzarra, Jason Wu, and Acne Studio, or rock a skin-tight pair a la Rodarte.

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Here’s How You Can Finally Wear Your Overalls

 

Admit it or not, overalls are one of those pieces that some of us are just on the fence about. Overalls add a touch of fun, but not everyone has the guts to pull them off. But lately this trend has been growing more and more popular among fashion girls such as Blake Lively and Aimee Song. Another reason to join the bandwagon is that overalls don’t just come in your usual farmer chic anymore. Kate Bosworth was spotted wearing ’70s-inspired flared denims, Gigi Hadid in leather, and Alexa Chung in a skirt version.

So we guess it’s time to pull out that old pair of dungarees hanging at the back of your closet because these fresh style inspirations will surely trigger a new fashion obsession. Scroll through to see our favorite looks below.

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