EASY DIY Envelope Clutch Bag

EASY DIY Simple Envelope Clutch Bag / How To Make A Wallet / Free PDF Pattern & Tutorial

It’s a wonderful, versatile piece and we’ve had a great time making it.
This is also a really fun project because it uses leather, and you will probably fall in love with how easy it is to work with. now let’s get started…

what you’ll need:

• download THIS CLUTCH PATTERN, six sheets total will print. there is a 3×3 inch square printed on the pattern so that you can be sure it is printed to the correct size
• 4 square feet of leather (you can also use vinyl, suede, felt or reuse a big leather skirt from the thrift store if you want)
• 1 yd of leather cord, string, shoelace, etc.
• paper scissors
• double sided tape
• fabric pencil that allows you to write on whatever material you have chosen
• pattern weight (ours are just large washers from the hardware store)
• heavy duty scissors
• paper tape
• glue that is labelled to be used on leather OR a glovers needle and thick thread or cord
• exacto knife (or leather punch if you’re lucky enough to own one)

how to make it:

• assemble the pieces of the pattern by adjoining sides together using the number/letter combinations to guide you. tape together and cut out.
• lay pattern on top of your leather piece and weigh down in the corners.
• trace around pattern with marker pencil, being sure not to overlook the clasp placements (you can slice a hole in the paper pattern with an exacto to help you)

• with heavy duty scissors cut out your pattern  you can cut the 2 clasp areas either using a leather punch or by cutting a small “X” with a sharp exacto.
• fold the side flaps together and secure with paper tape from the inside as shown in the photo.
• run a nice, smooth bead of glue about an 1/8th inch from the edge of the bottom flap. take care to not use too much glue so that it doesn’t run out the seam. you can practice on a scrap if you aren’t sure how much glue to use.
• carefully fold the bottom up to the top and weight down and let dry.

* if you prefer you can sew the seam by hand just as long as you use the proper needle and thread.

• to make reusable closure, take your cord of choice, tie a knot in the end and run it through the clasp opening from inside of the body of the bag, though the inside of the flap to the outside
• tie it up, wear it out. dress it up, dress it down:

switch up the strap and you have a completely new look. the cobalt + brooch pairs nicely with my fancy gold dotted dress and the cobalt + leather strap is perfect for this casual striped madewell dress.